Today I covered 10th grade English. They had a warm up on the board asking a question that related to Earth Day.
"Who cares about Earth Day?" one student asked.
You should have seen how fast the rest of the class got on her case. I almost got whiplash.
It's nice to see that the teenage generation is getting the message.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
No Humor
It all started with a joke. I listened to the joke with trepidation. Student conversations can go from innocuous to wildly inappropriate in a matter of microseconds, and this is especially true at the continuation high school. Luckily, the joke was innocuous. It was also not funny.
The student was disappointed by my lack of response. He told me that I need a sense of humor. He said I should smile. What a wonderful compliment!
I try very hard to seem dour. I need the classes to behave. If I seem too friendly, they might be tempted to act up, and that'll make my job that much harder. (There is a middle ground to this--if I'm too dour, then they could fight me more on things--but that's for another post.)
As for the joke--a duck walks into a bar and orders drinks. The bartender wants to know how the duck will pay for them. The duck says, "Put it on my bill".
See, not funny.
The student was disappointed by my lack of response. He told me that I need a sense of humor. He said I should smile. What a wonderful compliment!
I try very hard to seem dour. I need the classes to behave. If I seem too friendly, they might be tempted to act up, and that'll make my job that much harder. (There is a middle ground to this--if I'm too dour, then they could fight me more on things--but that's for another post.)
As for the joke--a duck walks into a bar and orders drinks. The bartender wants to know how the duck will pay for them. The duck says, "Put it on my bill".
See, not funny.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
No More Doorkeepers
A while ago I commented on the girls who sit in the main office and let us subs in (in case you've forgotten). They haven't been there the last couple times I was at that school. I think I know why.
I was standing in line waiting to check in with the site secretary. I heard a commotion behind me. The girls found something funny (they were laughing and carrying on loud enough to attract attention). And the receptionist had it with them and kicked them out.
That was a pretty good run. They lasted a long time. But high school students can't keep it together forever. And besides, the weather is warming up. They don't really need a warm place to hang out so much anymore.
I was standing in line waiting to check in with the site secretary. I heard a commotion behind me. The girls found something funny (they were laughing and carrying on loud enough to attract attention). And the receptionist had it with them and kicked them out.
That was a pretty good run. They lasted a long time. But high school students can't keep it together forever. And besides, the weather is warming up. They don't really need a warm place to hang out so much anymore.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Free Time
Some days I wish I had a video camera.
It's Friday at the continuation high school, and things are pretty laid back. If they have been on task all week, they get a "free day" (and this being a computer class, that means Internet). Although, many of them are taking a "free day" anyway, but that's for another post (and rant).
Of course, the thing about the "free day" is that they are still stuck in class, and they are at the mercy of the school Internet connection. They complained frequently that all the "good stuff" was blocked (games, music, youtube, myspace, etc.). So, some gave up the Internet search in favor of entertaining themselves.
Try to imagine this. Two high school students. One male. One undetermined (female name, dressed masculine). Playing "patty cake".
I'm going to let that sink in.
Seriously, they were doing that clapping thing that elementary age girls usually do (usually with some sing-song rhyme). I stood and watched for a moment in amazement.
"I wish I had a camera. This would go on youtube."
Yes, I did tell them that (as I had no camera, there was no real danger). And they stopped immediately. Too bad.
Although, high school is the age when everything young child is cool again. So, perhaps they would have performed for my wished-for camera.
It's Friday at the continuation high school, and things are pretty laid back. If they have been on task all week, they get a "free day" (and this being a computer class, that means Internet). Although, many of them are taking a "free day" anyway, but that's for another post (and rant).
Of course, the thing about the "free day" is that they are still stuck in class, and they are at the mercy of the school Internet connection. They complained frequently that all the "good stuff" was blocked (games, music, youtube, myspace, etc.). So, some gave up the Internet search in favor of entertaining themselves.
Try to imagine this. Two high school students. One male. One undetermined (female name, dressed masculine). Playing "patty cake".
I'm going to let that sink in.
Seriously, they were doing that clapping thing that elementary age girls usually do (usually with some sing-song rhyme). I stood and watched for a moment in amazement.
"I wish I had a camera. This would go on youtube."
Yes, I did tell them that (as I had no camera, there was no real danger). And they stopped immediately. Too bad.
Although, high school is the age when everything young child is cool again. So, perhaps they would have performed for my wished-for camera.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Opt Out
I was stalling. I had some writing to do, but I didn't want to get to it. So, I was looking at news stories that interested me. That's where I found this.
Credit card offers annoy me. I'm not going to get another one. I'm in enough trouble as it is. And with each offer I have to open it so that I can shred it because I don't want to tempt identity thieves.
It's a waste of my time. It's a waste of paper.
Why don't they tell you that you can opt out? Or did they tell me before and I just wasn't paying attention (I was so paying attention when they told me that I could opt out of telemarketing calls).
That is my public service for today.
Credit card offers annoy me. I'm not going to get another one. I'm in enough trouble as it is. And with each offer I have to open it so that I can shred it because I don't want to tempt identity thieves.
It's a waste of my time. It's a waste of paper.
Why don't they tell you that you can opt out? Or did they tell me before and I just wasn't paying attention (I was so paying attention when they told me that I could opt out of telemarketing calls).
That is my public service for today.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
Growing Up
The following conversation occurred today. However, since I wasn't transcribing as it happened, this isn't exactly what was said. It does capture the gist.
"How long have you been subbing?"
Me: "A while."
Student: "About a year?"
Me: "More than that. I first met you when you were in the eighth grade." (Note: the student is now in the 11th grade.)
Student: "I was pretty awful in the eighth grade."
I agreed with the student. For some reason this offended her.
Student: "I've grown up since then."
I again agreed with her.
This student used to ask for passes every day. Many times I'd be walking around campus on my prep period and I'd see her roaming campus as if she had no place to be. She would argue with me in class. She was loud. She was obnoxious. And I wrote her up a couple times for her rude behavior.
The next year it was as if some switch flipped, and she became a different person. Sweet. Pleasant. I haven't had a lick of trouble with her since.
Sometimes they do mature out of it.
"How long have you been subbing?"
Me: "A while."
Student: "About a year?"
Me: "More than that. I first met you when you were in the eighth grade." (Note: the student is now in the 11th grade.)
Student: "I was pretty awful in the eighth grade."
I agreed with the student. For some reason this offended her.
Student: "I've grown up since then."
I again agreed with her.
This student used to ask for passes every day. Many times I'd be walking around campus on my prep period and I'd see her roaming campus as if she had no place to be. She would argue with me in class. She was loud. She was obnoxious. And I wrote her up a couple times for her rude behavior.
The next year it was as if some switch flipped, and she became a different person. Sweet. Pleasant. I haven't had a lick of trouble with her since.
Sometimes they do mature out of it.
Monday, April 14, 2008
Rant
I don't get it. Do they think I'm stupid?
Today (and the rest of this week) I covered a computer class. Business. They're supposed to be working on their typing. If they can type, then they work on learning the various software programs. There's plenty to do.
They are not supposed to be playing on the Internet.
It's not like the screens are similar. I can tell at a glance what is schoolwork-related and what is not. Yet, many of them kept going onto the web instead of doing their work.
I guess that's the nature of the business. There's a sub, so why do work?
But this is the continuation high school. They get to buy out on Friday, but only if they are productive this week. I already have a list of about a dozen students who won't be buying out this week.
Today (and the rest of this week) I covered a computer class. Business. They're supposed to be working on their typing. If they can type, then they work on learning the various software programs. There's plenty to do.
They are not supposed to be playing on the Internet.
It's not like the screens are similar. I can tell at a glance what is schoolwork-related and what is not. Yet, many of them kept going onto the web instead of doing their work.
I guess that's the nature of the business. There's a sub, so why do work?
But this is the continuation high school. They get to buy out on Friday, but only if they are productive this week. I already have a list of about a dozen students who won't be buying out this week.
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