Teenagers Say the Darndest Things (11)

Me: I am going to show you a really cool video I found yesterday.
Student: Are you sure it's actually cool?
Me: Yes, it's totally cool.
Student: But you think math is cool...

Student: If your hair naturally that blonde?
Me: Nope.
Student: Are you--oh! Dang it, I was so excited to ask if you were an albino.

"Would it be okay if I ran to my first period really quick? I left my pet lizard in my desk on accident."

Me: *teaching* We can't combine those x's yet because they are inside the parenthesis. Remember they are in parenthesis prison until we do what the parentheses are asking us to do.
Student: I feel like I'm in parenthesis prison.

Click below for past posts of teenagers saying the darndest things.
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That Time When My Student Was a Human Fan

Schools are always unbearably hot. I am telling you that it is 12 degrees outside right now, and I am wearing a tshirt and flats because I get way too hot if I wear anything else. I don't understand it. Aren't we trying to save money? Can't we start by just turning down the heater a bit?

Anyway, one day my students and I were all sweating to death while we were trying to do math. It was bad. No one could focus and we all shed as much clothing as you can in a public school.  In a moment of desperation one of my students decided to make the ultimate sacrifice and become a human fan for us. She tied her jacket around her waist and held it out like a cape and then ran, full speed, around the room. It worked! Her gust of air as she went running past felt just like a nice cool breeze blowing by, and we all cooled down. She nearly died, but at least we got a moment of relief and also some laughs.

Why I write postcards to all of my students

For the past couple of years I have written every student a post card and given it to them on their last day of class with me. I think it's a nice gesture because I genuinely feel like I have real love for every single student, and I want them to know that I feel that way, Also, I have noticed that when I know I am going to writing post cards to students I treat my students a bit differently. I make an effort talk to every single student and get to know them on a personal level, instead of just the rowdy or outgoing students.  I keep notes about the things that I talk to them about so that I can remember to ask them about it again later and remember to write it in their post card. I truly believe it helps me and them connect better. I also truly believe that you can get anyone to do anything (including miserable math) if they know that you truly care about them.