More Subbing

Today I subbed for 4th grade Math/Science. It wasn't at my school, but this elementary school was the exact same lay-out as the school I student taught in, so at least I knew where to go when it was time to go to lunch, get the kids from music, etc.

I was pre-warned again before going into this sub job. Not by the principal this time thank goodness, but by my friend who student taught in that grade level. It turned out okay again!

So of course there was a student desk by the teacher's desk when I walked in the classroom... again.. this is a surefire sign that kid is going to give me some sort of headache.

The plans for today were to watch a 30 minute Bill Nye the Science guy video, and then an Owl Research assignment. Once it was time to start the assignment, this student was whining... He was whining about his library book. He wanted to go get a new one.. He wouldn't give it up. I said, "I'll make a deal with you. I will let you go switch out your library book if you promise me you will get your work done." He got very excited and said, "okay! okay!"

So he get's his new book, and instead of doing his work, he is too consumed with looking through this new "I SPY" book (at my school we would not let our fourth graders check out books like that.. they had to be chapter books!) I keep trying to redirect him and get him to do his work. He keeps hiding his book when I start to talk to him like I cant SEE that he is reading. Finally I just said, "I'm really sad you aren't keeping your promise to me.. I'm going to have to take the book away so you can do your work."

This set him OFF. He kicked his desk, slammed his book down and ran and hid under a chair in the classroom. He was crying like a baby. The class seemed unfazed and told me, "don't worry.. this is normal." The student then began to rant and rave saying he will NEVER do this assignment and he is going to break his promise and school is not fun.

I went next door to talk to the teacher about my current situation. She assured me that it is quite normal for him to do this, and that he knows that the time wasted in class will be taken away from his recess..

Well.. he kept coming back to his desk, would read a little bit, then went back under the chair and hung out for about 15 minutes... I chose not to mess with it and just wrote the teacher a note. Finally, at 11:40 (5 minutes before switching classes) he decides to voluntarily put his books on my desk, and start on his work... When it was time for recess, I told him he owed 25 minutes (out of a 30 minute recess time) He just laughed and said, "I was under the chair for 25 minutes!?!"

Kids are crazy.

I sub at my school on Monday and Wednesday next week! So excited! I also get to babysit all day on Tuesday, so I won't feel like such a bump on the log next week! I would like to get a sub job on Thursday if possible, and Friday is GRADUATION!!!!!!

HOLY COW!