Usually the kids and I have a good time throughout the day, we smile, laugh, and for the most part enjoy a positive relationship. But, the comment of one student today made me stop in my tracks and laugh out loud.

I’ll call her Amy…before the bell rang for third period she was reprimanded for running around the room and pushing other students. After the bell rang she needed to go to her locker because she forgot her book. When she returned, she did not have a pencil with which to do the warm-up.

As we moved on the the bulk of class, which was notes and a lecture on the Industrial Revolution and the economy in the North before the Civil War (a very interesting topic…to me at least), I asked the students to”take out a blank sheet of paper for notes and write today’s date on the top.” I noticed that Amy wasn’t quite paying attention, but ignored it hoping to grab her with my somewhat gory stories about the terrible working conditions in the factories.

Since I had prepared a powerpoint for class today, I was free to wander around the room while I taught. As I was wandering, I noticed Amy was still not paying attention. Would you believe it…she didn’t have any paper! I got a piece for her and she finally got to work.

As we continued class we got into a discussion about labor laws, and how important they are. Amy blurts out “I think students should get paid ‘cuz they work as hard as the teachers.”….hahahaha….oh Amy, that is funny!