Monday, September 30, 2013

Can I go to the Bathroom? (and other annoying questions...)


It never ceases to amaze me that as soon as I really get into a lesson someone has to go to the bathroom. I always fall for it too: I think the frantic waving hand in the back of the room is a signal for “hey, I have a really great question!”, so I get a bit excited….but alas, not so. He just wants to know if he can go to the bathroom. It’s so frustrating! At the beginning of the year I implemented a bathroom sign out sheet — I have the roster for each class taped to the corresponding class cabinet along with 4 slots for the date. Each time a student needs to go to the bathroom during instruction time, they have to write the date. When all four slots are used they can’t go until the following nine weeks. 



I took to highlighting “used” passes at the end of the day when I noticed that some students were being a bit sneaky by erasing the date and re-writing a new one rather than using a new pass. 

This method seems to work pretty well because I told my students on day one that I wouldn’t extend passes, meaning “when you’re done, you’re done!” How do you handle bathroom issues? Do you let students go at will or do you have a system? Do you think that 4 per nine weeks is too many or too few? I’d love to hear from you!

And now a list of other seriously irritating questions (and answers): 

What time is this class finished? 

Seriously? The schedule is posted on the wall. Right.in.front.of.your.face. But, because I know you’re lazy: it’s over at the same time it was yesterday and the day before and everyday for the last eight weeks. So sorry I’m boring you….

Can I go to my locker?

No. You may not roam the halls under the guise of needing a pencil from your locker. Borrow mine. Don’t chew on it. 

We had homework?

Fingernails on a chalkboard. Irresponsibility bothers me. So much. 


It’s Monday so we can only go up from here, right?! :)

Emily

3 comments:

  1. I still get those questions 5-6 years later. But don't worry, you start to find funny ways to mess with them and it's not as annoying :)
    Stephanie
    Tales of Teaching in Heels

    ReplyDelete
  2. My most annoying question is "What are we doing?" Right after giving instructions and asking if anyone had any questions, then dismissing them to do the task.

    OR - I give the instruction as they enter the room to get their book out and read silently and EVERY time someone comes and asks if they can "Take the rubbish to the caretakers shed" or "get a drink of water" or "go to the bathroom" NO - I said silent reading!!! GRRR

    Haha - you are not alone.

    Erin
    The E-Z Class

    ReplyDelete
  3. This is really informative blog for students, Naples Tutoring keep up the good work.

    ReplyDelete