The Games We Play

I don't think I've seen more than about 20 snowflakes this winter and boy am I disappointed.  The stretch from January to Spring Break can be torturous, especially when Spring Break comes late.  A few snow days sprinkled in the winter months can really help to break the monotony.  This year our break will start on Friday, April 7 at 2:24 pm.  Okay, really at 2:50, which is the end of my contract hours but maybe, administration will understand if teachers run out the door with the kids that afternoon.  I meant it's only March 2 and already it feels like the battle of teacher vs. students in springtime has begun.

Earlier this week I took some time from class to review the expectations for student use of iPads, their personal learning devices given to them by the school system, in the classroom.  Students nodded in agreement as I reminded them that Internet games were not allowed in my "yellow zone" classroom. They continued to agree as I reminded them that personal cell phones should be out of sight and not in use during class.

By the end of the day I had three iPads and one cell phone on my desk.  They were confiscated after students' disregard of the very rules we reviewed at the beginning of class.

One student came by later to see about getting his iPad returned to him.  Unfortunately I had already given it to administration- the protocol established for repeat offenders.

"Look Sean, I get it." I started.  "You're 12 and you're going to try to get away with breaking a few rules."

He nodded in agreement.

"And I'm the teacher, so if you get caught there's going to be a consequence.  In essence, you gotta do what you gotta do.  In return, I gotta do, what I gotta do."

He understood and turned back out the door to go on his way.

I got back to work.  After all, we both had things to do.