So, as if working full time and taking 3 classes in the MA TESOL program wasn't enough, one of my students this morning arrived to class 20 minutes late, and with her pet kitten. The first thing that popped into my mind was, "Who brings their pet kitten to class? Why would they think this is a good idea?" The second thing that occurred to me was, "They never told me this would happen when I was going to school to get my teaching credential."
Did you get any surprises this past week?
Hmm, I hope it didn't disrupt your class too much. Think of it as a small, adorable something to break up the routine of your lesson. Maybe you could somehow use the incident to teach language? Sometimes I fantasize about having a black and white Siberian Husky and taking him everywhere with me, but I would definitely know better than to bring him to class. =)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny that you posted this because a student at CSULA brought her kitten to class last week, too. My first thought when I saw her in the hallway was also "Why would you do that?", but then when I saw it's little face, I just thought "this is the cutest thing I've ever seen". It's sort of how I feel as a teacher (stay with me here) - am I flexible or inconsistent? To be a parent or teacher, regarding discipline, it's important to be consistent, right? Students have to know that late work is not acceptable, that homework is to be done at home, that there are expectations and consequences - positive and negative. But this is one of the most difficult things for me. Because if I were you, I would have the same reaction - Why would you bring this cat to class? But I'm sure that less than a minute later, I'd be petting it and saying "how cute!!". How did you end up handling it? Did you ask your student not to bring their cat to class again?
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