What In Tarnation?!?!? In the Classroom

I was proud of my kids in class last week. While other classes has horrible infections of the holiday crazies, my class has been able to retain their mental facilities despite the excitement of receiving gifts from a large jolly elf. Even though, last week was one of the most tiring weeks this year. Each day one student decided to step up and cause havoc. Again, I am thankful that it was not the whole class going crazy, but it made the week energy sapping.

Let me give you two examples. One today, one tomorrow.

Early in the week Travis (you know the drill), a student with a fat file of disciplinary notes, decided it was time to do his Christmas shopping. I decided to send him to the empty room next door (the class was in specials) with the math Title I aide to get some extra help on subtraction with two regroupings. While he was in the other room, he got into a students desk, pulled out the wallet sitting in the desk and take the four dollars in the wallet. Right now Travis has to earn ANY privileges, he has burned many bridges this year and he keeps trying to torch the bridge between me and him, he has gotten pretty close too.

After math, we went to specials and Travis was very excited about the present he had for me, but he wouldn’t tell me what it was. When we got back to the room after specials the teacher next door came over and told me that four dollars was missing from the desk that Travis had been sitting in. I put on my detective’s hat and went off to question Travis. Of course he didn’t do anything (he never does) but I continued to prod.

M: There is something missing from that class and I need to make sure that you didn’t take it.

T: I didn’t! I swear! I just did my math.

M: Hmmm, I wonder where it went then?

Then it happened. Just like in the movies.

T: I swear, I didn’t take any money!

M: I didn’t say anything about money being stolen, how did you know that it was money that was missing?

T: I’m a good guesser!

M: Empty your pockets.

T: I didn’t do–

M: I SAID, empty your pockets.

The search began. He had nothing on him, so we went to the desk next. I checked every part of the desk, nothing. At this point my anger was boiling just under my skin.

M: So did you bring any money with you today?

T: No.

I began questioning other students, did they see him with money, how much did he have (Travis tends to be a show off after he steals something). All students answered to the affirmative, he had four dollars.

Travis and I went back out in the hall again.

M: Where is the money?

T: I don’t have any money!

M: I don’t believe you.

T: I don’t have any!

M: Let me give you a run down of what is about to happen. Last time you stole something (this would be the fourth time this year) and I talked to your Dad he told me to call the juvenile officer. I stuck up for you and assured that we would not need to do that, but at this point I am so angry with your dishonesty that I am not going to stick up for you anymore. If I don’t have those four dollars in my hands in the next minute I will be calling the officer.

T: (Now in tears) But I was giving you a dollar of it. I put a dollar in the Christmas tree for you.

M: Travis, I appreciate that you are trying to get me a gift but you stole the money from someone else! That is illegal. You now have 45 seconds, I would be getting the money to me now.

He ran into the room and came back with the dollar from the tree and the tree dollars that he had hidden in his crayons in his art box.

T: At least you can’t take any recess away since I haven’t had any all week!

M: You’re right. But you aren’t getting a Christmas party at the end of the week. You don’t get to watch any movies, you don’t get to play any games, you don’t get to eat any of the snacks or candy and you don’t get any stocking stuffers.

T: You can’t do that!

M: Keep telling yourself that.

T: You are so mean!

M: Travis, today you have stolen money, lied to me, and you have interrupted 30 minutes of time with my class. They have been patiently sitting in there for the past half hour while I played detective because you wouldn’t tell me the truth. Do you really think you deserve a party Friday, have you earned it?

T: (Still crying) Well when you put it that way…

M: Get back in the room and just sit down, if you know what’s best for you, you will keep a low profile.

It actually turned out to be close to an hour of time. His parents were very supportive and upset with him. Dad doesn’t want him to ever have recess again… I don’t feel comfortable with that, but I have said that to him before…

To be continued…

Class dismissed!