Would you laugh or be upset over this email? @

[joenali]

So in my class we use post-it notes for various things. We get a classroom supply budget and kids don't have to bring school supplies and I order them.

Post-it notes are expensive and I explicitly taught and told the kids when and how to use them. THis one kid is constantly folding his and making origami cranes (he even uses the small ones for this, it's kind of cool that he can do it but...) and fortune tellers out of post-its. I've given him more than enough opportunities to stop, and he hasn't. So I told him I would be emailing his mom.

I composed this email and as I was writing I was thinking, god what a stupid email and this is such a first world problem to be dealing with. "Stop making origami crains out of post-it notes." I'm sure the mom will be just fine, but I hope she doesn't get upset over this. I guess I'm just a worrier when it comes to certain things. I just want the kid to listen and so far he hasn't.

[pierogigirl]

If it's going to come up at a conference, it's always better to tell parents about an issue early.

Hyland (I think) makes cheap post-it notes that work fine. I think they only have yellow, though.

[dexteroni]

Well, I wouldn't phrase it like that. "Jason has been using class supplies (specifically, post-it notes) for non-approved uses after repeatedly being asked not to. Our classroom budget is limited and his extra usage is going to cause us to run out. Moreover, I'm concerned about him repeatedly not listening to my instruction to stop. He does well in class otherwise; it's just this one area where he isn't listening." If he has trouble listening at other times, then your email should be completely different, and maybe result in a conference.

Do you not want him to make cranes in school at all, or do you just not want him to use the class post-its? Because you could just ask her to send him in with his own pack to use for that.

[cahabalily]

If I received that email I would roll my eyes and delete it.

Unless you are going to be over-budget because of the origami post-its, continue addressing it in class.

And why can't you take them away from the kid until time to use them?

Sent from my SGH-T959V

[joenali]

Oct 7, 2012 17:22:42 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Well, I wouldn't phrase it like that. "Jason has been using class supplies (specifically, post-it notes) for non-approved uses after repeatedly being asked not to. Our classroom budget is limited and his extra usage is going to cause us to run out. Moreover, I'm concerned about him repeatedly not listening to my instruction to stop. He does well in class otherwise; it's just this one area where he isn't listening." If he has trouble listening at other times, then your email should be completely different, and maybe result in a conference.

Do you not want him to make cranes in school at all, or do you just not want him to use the class post-its? Because you could just ask her to send him in with his own pack to use for that.

Can you compose my emails from here on out??

I don't mind if he does it, but not with post-its and not during work or learning times. During choice is fine. That's a good idea to have mom send him with his own pack to use at the appropriate time.

[zeewifeandmama]

Oct 7, 2012 17:22:42 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Well, I wouldn't phrase it like that. "Jason has been using class supplies (specifically, post-it notes) for non-approved uses after repeatedly being asked not to. Our classroom budget is limited and his extra usage is going to cause us to run out. Moreover, I'm concerned about him repeatedly not listening to my instruction to stop. He does well in class otherwise; it's just this one area where he isn't listening." If he has trouble listening at other times, then your email should be completely different, and maybe result in a conference.

Do you not want him to make cranes in school at all, or do you just not want him to use the class post-its? Because you could just ask her to send him in with his own pack to use for that.

I agree with this.

[Deleted]

My son does this (makes origami yodas, cranes and boats) at school. I doubt his teacher has asked him to stop I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

That said, if he went through more than his fair share of kleenex I would think nothing of the teacher requesting him to bring in some additional boxes.

[dexteroni]

Oct 7, 2012 17:23:15 GMT -5 cahabalily said:

And why can't you take them away from the kid until time to use them?

Learning appropriate and inappropriate uses of available supplies is a good thing for kids to learn in the elementary years. It's not just about the post-its, it's about the kid not listening.

[statlerwaldorf]

I think it's important that you note that he has been asking repeatedly to stop and hasn't. That would be my issue. If you leave out that part, I might think you're a little nutty.

[dexteroni]

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Stuff like this is probably what makes some teachers hate their jobs.

[joenali]

Oct 7, 2012 18:37:24 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Stuff like this is probably what makes some teachers hate their jobs.

Nobody ever asks "Maybe he doesn't understand?"

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2012 18:37:24 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Stuff like this is probably what makes some teachers hate their jobs.

That is exactly what I was thinking!!

[cjeanette]

Oct 7, 2012 18:27:06 GMT -5 @songforyou said:

Oct 7, 2012 17:23:15 GMT -5 cahabalily said:

If I received that email I would roll my eyes and delete it.

And why can't you take them away from the kid until time to use them?

This is crazy to me. If your kid's teacher tells you your kid is ignoring her instructions, you don't address it with your kid? And isn't it your kid's responsibility to do as instructed, not for the teacher to babysit your kid when there is a classroom full of children who are able to conduct themselves properly?

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I doubt his teacher has asked him to stop I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Sure, because children never do other things when they should be doing work and paying attention. She already implied that this is happening during work and/or learning times.

If this was my child, I would not laugh or be upset, but I would definitely correct the situation. My child already knows that being disrespectful (i.e. not adhering to the rules) toward adults--and especially teachers--has never been and will never be tolerated.

I agree on both responses.

Geez people, this is how you would treat the person educating your child.

I would address it with my kid and buy more post-its. To me the issue is that the teacher asked him not to do something and he isn't respecting that.

[cajunmom]

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

So once again, it's the teacher's fault. 8-D

[bunch]

Oct 7, 2012 18:27:06 GMT -5 @songforyou said:

Oct 7, 2012 17:23:15 GMT -5 cahabalily said:

If I received that email I would roll my eyes and delete it.

And why can't you take them away from the kid until time to use them?

This is crazy to me. If your kid's teacher tells you your kid is ignoring her instructions, you don't address it with your kid? And isn't it your kid's responsibility to do as instructed, not for the teacher to babysit your kid when there is a classroom full of children who are able to conduct themselves properly?

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I doubt his teacher has asked him to stop I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Sure, because children never do other things when they should be doing work and paying attention. She already implied that this is happening during work and/or learning times.

If this was my child, I would not laugh or be upset, but I would definitely correct the situation. My child already knows that being disrespectful (i.e. not adhering to the rules) toward adults--and especially teachers--has never been and will never be tolerated.

yeah, this.

[mbcdefg]

Oct 7, 2012 17:23:15 GMT -5 cahabalily said:

If I received that email I would roll my eyes and delete it.

Unless you are going to be over-budget because of the origami post-its, continue addressing it in class.

And why can't you take them away from the kid until time to use them?

Sent from my SGH-T959V

I wouldn't really care if the issue was truly important or not. I'd be pissed that the kid was deliberately ignoring me and so I'd take any possible opportunity to get him in trouble.

[housegeek]

Is email the normal way to communicate? I think a phone call would go over better.

[fryjack2]

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

My son does this (makes origami yodas, cranes and boats) at school. I doubt his teacher has asked him to stop I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

That said, if he went through more than his fair share of kleenex I would think nothing of the teacher requesting him to bring in some additional boxes.

I think he is finding it challenging to stop wasting post-its and listen to his teacher.

Seriously though, you response is a reason why so many kids are becoming such entitled little brats. Nothing is ever their fault; they are too precious and special to be blamed for anything or to take responsibility for their actions.

[mbcdefg]

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

My son does this (makes origami yodas, cranes and boats) at school. I doubt his teacher has asked him to stop I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

He probably keeps doing it because he's not being told to knock it off and obey his teacher. Not because he's "not being challenged."

[housegeek]

Is it really so hard to believe a child couldn't be challenged in class?

[pierogigirl]

Oct 7, 2012 18:37:24 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 7, 2012 17:28:52 GMT -5 @septimus said:

I'd probably ask her why he has enough free time to be doing this and why isn't he being challenged.

Stuff like this is probably what makes some teachers hate their jobs.

Yeah, but the stories. Septimus, I'd bet you're famous at your kids' school.

Before email was common, I got a note from a parent telling me what their child's math test grade should be because some of the incorrect responses were due to careless errors. Miraculously that 72 was really a 96. You can bet I still have that letter in my desk.

[cjeanette]

Oct 7, 2012 18:56:42 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Is it really so hard to believe a child couldn't be challenged in class?

Of course it isn't hard to believe. Responding to the e-mail OP wrote asking why they aren't being challenged is presumptuous and not addressing the issue at hand.

[mbcdefg]

Oct 7, 2012 18:56:42 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Is it really so hard to believe a child couldn't be challenged in class?

If the kid has been told repeatedly to stop doing something and won't stop, then the problem is a lack of discipline.

I didn't feel challenged in a lot of classes when I was a kid, but I knew enough from my parents that I needed to obey the teacher or else I'd be in big trouble at home.

[Kore]

Oct 7, 2012 18:56:42 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Is it really so hard to believe a child couldn't be challenged in class?

No, it's not. But this isn't the point of the issue. The parent looks like an asshole by turning this situation around on the teacher.

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2012 19:03:15 GMT -5 Kore said:

Oct 7, 2012 18:56:42 GMT -5 housegeek said:

Is it really so hard to believe a child couldn't be challenged in class?

No, it's not. But this isn't the point of the issue. The parent looks like an asshole by turning this situation around on the teacher.

Do you know how many times I got in trouble for reading under my desk? I was bored in school for the most part until about 7th grade.

[Kore]

Oct 7, 2012 19:22:38 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Oct 7, 2012 19:03:15 GMT -5 Kore said:

No, it's not. But this isn't the point of the issue. The parent looks like an asshole by turning this situation around on the teacher.

Do you know how many times I got in trouble for reading under my desk? I was bored in school for the most part until about 7th grade.

My H was the same way. Sucks, but still not an appropriate response to the issue.

[cjeanette]

Oct 7, 2012 19:22:38 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Oct 7, 2012 19:03:15 GMT -5 Kore said:

No, it's not. But this isn't the point of the issue. The parent looks like an asshole by turning this situation around on the teacher.

Do you know how many times I got in trouble for reading under my desk? I was bored in school for the most part until about 7th grade.

I was the same way. My mom still didn't let me off the hook and blame boredom for not listening. She sure as hell never blamed a teacher not challenging me for my misbehavior. She did work to make sure I was getting the challenges I needed but managed to do it in a way that was not shooting a teacher down for bringing behavioral concerns to her.

Not all misbehavior comes from not being challenged.

[Doggy Mommy]

I'm sure some days my students would rather make origami than learn to write an essay. It certainly doesn't mean that the essay is too easy!

I do think you should send the email so the parents know that their kid isn't doing his work and isn't listening to the teacher. However, speaking as someone in their 12th year in the classroom, in the future I would try to handle this with your behavior management system. I use a clip chart, and every time he was making origami instead of doing work it would be a clip down or I'd tell all the kids who were doing their work to clip up. My students hate clipping down, thus the behavior would probably stop pretty quickly.

[Deleted]

Oct 7, 2012 19:29:09 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

Oct 7, 2012 19:22:38 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Do you know how many times I got in trouble for reading under my desk? I was bored in school for the most part until about 7th grade.

I was the same way. My mom still didn't let me off the hook and blame boredom for not listening. She sure as hell never blamed a teacher not challenging me for my misbehavior. She did work to make sure I was getting the challenges I needed but managed to do it in a way that was not shooting a teacher down for bringing behavioral concerns to her.

Not all misbehavior comes from not being challenged.

No, but much comes from either not understanding or not being challenged.

That said my son's teacher has never said anything about his origami

[joenali]

Oct 7, 2012 19:50:19 GMT -5 @septimus said:

Oct 7, 2012 19:29:09 GMT -5 cjeanette said:

I was the same way. My mom still didn't let me off the hook and blame boredom for not listening. She sure as hell never blamed a teacher not challenging me for my misbehavior. She did work to make sure I was getting the challenges I needed but managed to do it in a way that was not shooting a teacher down for bringing behavioral concerns to her.

Not all misbehavior comes from not being challenged.

Or just poor listening skills.

No, but much comes from either not understanding or not being challenged.

That said my son's teacher has never said anything about his origami