Update: Student who used Armageddon as excuse was bluffing

[iconoclastic cat]

Okay, anyone who responded to or read this post, here is an update: I am a gullible twit.

Here is a snip:
Check this one out: One of my students has done absolutely no work all week; instead she has spent all of her time reading that bloody Glorious Appearing book. Usually, I try to use positive reinforcement of good behavior to draw reluctant students into the work at hand, but this girl just wouldn't bite. Yesterday, in fact, I went out of my way to compliment all of the people sitting around her for their hard work, but she just grinned and read that pathetic excuse for propaganda.

Today, however, I had had enough. "Carmella," I said, "Your grade is falling. You have lost an entire letter grade because of all your missing work and lack of participation. Get to work. Now."

Did she open her textbook? Nope. She just sat there, grinning. We stared at each other for a while, with all of her peers whispering around us. Some of the students chided her, while others whispered about the look on my face (which must have been classic). Finally she said, "Mr. IconCat, the world gonna end!"

Blink. Blink. "Um, what?"


In the interest of brevity, I'll just say that after reading some of your responses, I began to suspect that I had been duped. When I saw Carmella the next day in class, the first thing I said to her was, "Okay, you tricked me. I fell for it."

The whole freakin' room went nuts. Kids were falling out of their seats with laughter. "Mr. IconCat, you're so special," said Carmella. (Note: "You're so special" means "You are mentally deficient.")

Yep. I'm an idiot.

[Archae]

1. Don't feel bad.

Teenagers love playing head games with anyone in authority, and you got suckered.