For Love of Word
Friday, April 16, 2010
Middle School Stories
When I taught middle school, keep in mind this was 11 years ago, the parents were insane that last year thus my moving up to high school.
I've had parents believe just about ANYTHING their student (child) told them. Even as outlandish as the stories were, they were still believe by thier naive parents.
One student, I'm not sure if it was a boy or a girl, but I would probably say the latter in regard to the content of this story, actually had her parents believing I allowed my student (7th graders) to sit on, not at BUT on, my desk. Really! Are parents really this gullible? And to top that off, they also thought I exchanged clothing with them since I would tell the girls their outfits were cute. How funny, or is it really sad, is this?
The last incident that was the making of my decision to move to the upper level grades was the boy who I had to move to the front of my class due to his lack of motivation and laziness. He would always put his head down, so I wanted to insure he had a front row seat in order to stay alert and perhaps learn a thing or two (that is the purpose of attending school right?) Anyway, one day his head was down as I was addressing the class, so I lifted the front of his desk and put it down in hopes of waking him. Now keep in mind I am 5'4 and at that time weighted probably 110 pounds. There were words exchanged, so I informed him I'd be calling his parents to discuss his behavior with them-it was a Friday. Unfortunately there was no answer, so I left a message explaining the events that occurred that day. Being a fairly newer teacher, I was unaware of a cornered student's power of persuasion when it came to saving themself. Bright and early Monday morning his father was in the principal's office demanding my resignation as I picked up his son's desk, with his son in it, and slammed it down on the classroom floor. WHAT? Where did this super power teacher come from who was strong enough to manhandle the son of this worried parent as I had never seen her. Unbelievable!
I've had parents believe just about ANYTHING their student (child) told them. Even as outlandish as the stories were, they were still believe by thier naive parents.
One student, I'm not sure if it was a boy or a girl, but I would probably say the latter in regard to the content of this story, actually had her parents believing I allowed my student (7th graders) to sit on, not at BUT on, my desk. Really! Are parents really this gullible? And to top that off, they also thought I exchanged clothing with them since I would tell the girls their outfits were cute. How funny, or is it really sad, is this?
The last incident that was the making of my decision to move to the upper level grades was the boy who I had to move to the front of my class due to his lack of motivation and laziness. He would always put his head down, so I wanted to insure he had a front row seat in order to stay alert and perhaps learn a thing or two (that is the purpose of attending school right?) Anyway, one day his head was down as I was addressing the class, so I lifted the front of his desk and put it down in hopes of waking him. Now keep in mind I am 5'4 and at that time weighted probably 110 pounds. There were words exchanged, so I informed him I'd be calling his parents to discuss his behavior with them-it was a Friday. Unfortunately there was no answer, so I left a message explaining the events that occurred that day. Being a fairly newer teacher, I was unaware of a cornered student's power of persuasion when it came to saving themself. Bright and early Monday morning his father was in the principal's office demanding my resignation as I picked up his son's desk, with his son in it, and slammed it down on the classroom floor. WHAT? Where did this super power teacher come from who was strong enough to manhandle the son of this worried parent as I had never seen her. Unbelievable!
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Week of April 12, 2010
Monday-
During the pep rally held at our football stadium:
Freshman with flowing red, shoulder length hair comes flying down the bleachers. Our conversation went something like this:
Student: I want you to talk to that boy in the gray shirt.
Me: Okay, what did he do?
S:He keeps talking about PT Cruisers.
M:And what's wrong with him doing that?
S:It bothers me and he knows it.
M:Well I honestly can't talk to him about that because there is nothing wrong with his doing so.
S eyes growing large and said with indignation:Well what the Hell am I suppose to do?
M: Don't sit by him.
Wednesday-
In the gym for our whole meeting time (all freshman came together to listen to an accomplished author speak. All students, along with their teachers, sit in the bleachers.)
Everytime the author would say anything that pertained to blood, gore or death, this student Clayton (allow me to create a visual for you). He appears to be older than 14-15, has brownish/blonde hair that is wiry and out of control growing every which way off the top of his head. His pants hang below his waist exposing his boxers and he's very loud to insure he gains the attention that he requires. Okay, so Clayton would respond,"Oh cool, awesome." Yes, he is the example of the "Cool guy on campus", or so he thinks he is in his own mind.
Thursday-
Parents are really clueless as to the things their children will say while at school. One tends to believe (or hope) that as their student moves up the ranks in grade, this being high school, that they would keep personal information to themselves. Let me just say that after 16 years of teaching in the public school system, that I have heard so many of those things you, as a parent, thought were secret to your family. Your high schoolers will blurt out anything at anytime, no Really they do! Prime example:
Earlier this year I called a parent to discuss the student's inappropriate behavior in my classroom. Being the "parent" we tend to defend our evil spawns, I mean children because they are just that, our children. So the mother is making all these excuses for her "dear" boy, "Oh he has ADD, yes he thinks he's smarter than me and says he can do my homework and I'm in college, his Dad is more of his friend, yada yada yada...
Today, while reteaching how to write a research paper-and yes I did spend 3 VERY long weeks teaching this step by little baby step, this same boy said this to me.
B-I'm not sure if the format of my paper changed Mrs. Foltz because my Mom sent it and she's not very smart.
M-Oh I bet your mother would love to hear you say that. C. that was so disrespectful.
B-But it's true.
Again, this was the Very mother who was DEFENDING her cub.
During the pep rally held at our football stadium:
Freshman with flowing red, shoulder length hair comes flying down the bleachers. Our conversation went something like this:
Student: I want you to talk to that boy in the gray shirt.
Me: Okay, what did he do?
S:He keeps talking about PT Cruisers.
M:And what's wrong with him doing that?
S:It bothers me and he knows it.
M:Well I honestly can't talk to him about that because there is nothing wrong with his doing so.
S eyes growing large and said with indignation:Well what the Hell am I suppose to do?
M: Don't sit by him.
Wednesday-
In the gym for our whole meeting time (all freshman came together to listen to an accomplished author speak. All students, along with their teachers, sit in the bleachers.)
Everytime the author would say anything that pertained to blood, gore or death, this student Clayton (allow me to create a visual for you). He appears to be older than 14-15, has brownish/blonde hair that is wiry and out of control growing every which way off the top of his head. His pants hang below his waist exposing his boxers and he's very loud to insure he gains the attention that he requires. Okay, so Clayton would respond,"Oh cool, awesome." Yes, he is the example of the "Cool guy on campus", or so he thinks he is in his own mind.
Thursday-
Parents are really clueless as to the things their children will say while at school. One tends to believe (or hope) that as their student moves up the ranks in grade, this being high school, that they would keep personal information to themselves. Let me just say that after 16 years of teaching in the public school system, that I have heard so many of those things you, as a parent, thought were secret to your family. Your high schoolers will blurt out anything at anytime, no Really they do! Prime example:
Earlier this year I called a parent to discuss the student's inappropriate behavior in my classroom. Being the "parent" we tend to defend our evil spawns, I mean children because they are just that, our children. So the mother is making all these excuses for her "dear" boy, "Oh he has ADD, yes he thinks he's smarter than me and says he can do my homework and I'm in college, his Dad is more of his friend, yada yada yada...
Today, while reteaching how to write a research paper-and yes I did spend 3 VERY long weeks teaching this step by little baby step, this same boy said this to me.
B-I'm not sure if the format of my paper changed Mrs. Foltz because my Mom sent it and she's not very smart.
M-Oh I bet your mother would love to hear you say that. C. that was so disrespectful.
B-But it's true.
Again, this was the Very mother who was DEFENDING her cub.
Journal Entries
From this day forward I will be writing about all the silly, zany things/sayings that I hear during the course of the day.
Shall we begin?
Shall we begin?
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Times they are achangin
I am getting ready to use my photographs to inspire my writing. I enjoy photography journals and am excited about beginning mine. I hope to get it underway here this coming week as spring break is nearing.
Wednesday, November 04, 2009
Old Man Gone Rouge
Here in the South, we're use to our older men driving huge, white cars slowly in the left lane. But what I witnessed yesterday on the way home was Totally out of the Norm, where did this driver come from? He speedily took off as the red lights turned green and changed lanes any time another vehicle got in his way. I noticed him as we traveled north, but he didn't really have any effect on my driving until we came upon the same red light. There were three lanes headed north, the left open. Just as I was turning my vehicle to head in that direction, out of nowhere he flew ending up in front of me. Good thing I'm not one of those multi-tasking drivers or we would have met in a very unfriendly way.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
Things Never Change
Remember when we were teenagers who desperately wanted to work so we could be independent. Then after having the job, we prayed to be fired because it was "too" much work?
Well, this continues today, which makes me laugh. Teens can't wait to be independent of their parents by gaining employment. All is well the first few weeks and then viola, "I hope they fire me." What's this you ask? It's the first real taste of adulthood that our teens crave and then dislike once they've experienced it.
Not to worry, they'll keep their jobs as they love the money (independence) too much!
Well, this continues today, which makes me laugh. Teens can't wait to be independent of their parents by gaining employment. All is well the first few weeks and then viola, "I hope they fire me." What's this you ask? It's the first real taste of adulthood that our teens crave and then dislike once they've experienced it.
Not to worry, they'll keep their jobs as they love the money (independence) too much!
Monday, November 02, 2009
Driving Woes
Am I the ONLY SANE person on the road who values their life more than the phone call they just have to make, or meal they just have to eat while driving? I'm sorry, but I take driving seriously knowing I not only have my life in my hands, literally as I hold the steering wheel, but those of every other driver on the road with me. If you're anything like me, I try my best to maneuver my way around them so I won't be caught up in the mess they will one day eventually make. And for the government to Now, after all this time, admit it's dangerous to chat while driving, is an insult. What Sane person hasn't already figured this out? It's a little too late to try and monitor this inane behavior now!
Sunday, November 01, 2009
Children overstimulated by the Media?
I never spent much time contemplating this until Friday when I saw how our teenagers dressed up for Halloween. Since when did a vampire turn into "Mistress Vampire" with lacy knee highs, a short skirt and long cape? Or how about an angel with cleavage? Better yet cheerleaders with halos and garters? Wow! What type of influence has the media had on our current generation of teens?
