The sophs are back to their usual tricks. Yesterday, they were to bring in three typed copies of their literary analysis essay on The Odyssey so they could attempt peer editing. (Kace, this is where you're overcome with nostalgia and start planning your return to teaching.)
Any day a paper is due, I'm regaled by story upon story of computers suddenly breaking down, printers running out of ink, and internet connections instantaneously and incomprehensibly "going down."
Usually, the stories are annoying, predictable, and annoyingly predictable.
But my favorite one from yesterday reminded me of the girl who, last year, told me she didn't know we had homework because I hadn't told her to look at the board where the assignment was written. Here's the same story; a variation on a theme:
"Michael, do you have your paper?"
"Uh, no. I didn't bring it."
"Okay," I said, moving on.
"Well, I have it done, " he said, trying to keep me from gleefully marking a big, fat zero in the gradebook. "I mean, it's totally done, it's just on my computer at home."
"Uh-huh, and it's not here because..."
"Well...I didn't know I had to bring it. I mean, you didn't tell me to print it out and bring it in."
Rapid blinking.
"I mean, if you would have told me to print it, I would have."
My friend Kristin had some funnier, smarter responses to offer the kid than I could think of at the time...something along the lines of having to tell the kid to put his pants on in the morning, and to inhale...then exhale...then inhale...but all I could do was say, "Are you kidding?" and walk away.
I'm losing my edge, people. The fights don't even interest me anymore.
In other news, I read a story in the NY Times this morning about what beautiful, private school the Obama girls will attend this coming year. My favorite part was when a star-struck second grader recalled her brief meeting with the future first-lady when Mrs. Obama visited her school. She said, "I touched her hand and she smelled like cherries."
Aw. I like that. And I bet she does smell like cherries.
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2 comments:
He must have thought that his homework was purely for his own benefit, and if no one told him to print out a copy (or three, as it looks like the instructions were...) how would he possibly know that homework was to be turned in?
Also, I think you learned the dangers of the fighting when you got mad at that kid for not having his homework and then found out that his house had burned down.
Speaking of West Wing, do you have my first season DVDs? I'm thinking of rewatching in honor of the occasion.
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