The Fine Print

The other day as I was clearing out some old papers, I found some blog posts that I'd never posted. I wrote them down with the intent of putting them on the blog, but then... I suppose something more interesting happened that week. That's my only guess.

I heard the distinctive clatter, rhythmic and regular. I didn't have to see it to know what it was.

"Could you please put the Tech Deck away?"

Ten minutes later, I heard it again. I went to confiscate.

"You told me to put it away. I did. You didn't say how long to put it away for."

Semantics. Really?

"Besides, you said 'can' and 'please'. So it was more of a request..."

So, because I was polite and didn't bark it out, he was going to continue playing with his toy? Deep sigh.

I clarified my position on toys in the classroom, especially when there was actual work to complete. I "offered" to keep the toy so he wouldn't be tempted to pull it out again.

Freshmen. *shakes head*

(I do tend towards polite in the classroom. I find "please" and "thank you" as good ways to show students respect.)