#29: A Student Feeling My Pain

Today we had a late start day. This means that my first and second block are both only 30 minutes. First block (which usually can give me the most issues) was great! We did a page of notes using the table and graph function on the calculator which they like to use so we discussed this and I answered questions over their homework. These five homework questions were review of old material. They REMEMBERED how to do them and asked good questions like, "Ms. Hall, when we divide by zero that means it is undefined right?" This was very encouraging for me to hear because a lot of time this class seems like they can't remember what we did yesterday.

So with literally no frustration yet in my day, my 2nd block (usually my brightest and sweetest class) walks in and is getting ready for their quiz. It is a bit rushed but they had plenty of time to take this short quiz. I walk around and check off homework and while I am doing this students start asking questions NON-STOP if the formulas will be given for the quiz.

Loud enough for all to hear I say, "Yes, they are at the top of the quiz." I take a few more steps around the room and again, "Are we going to allowed to use our formula sheet?"

To which I respond, "Yes or I have them printed for you on the paper." Then I finish checking homework and ask, "any questions before you start?" To which another student says, "oh yea, are we going to be able to see the formulas." At this point one of my sweet, always on top of it, student just looks at me and chuckles realizing I have said it already about four or five times.

I am really proud of myself that I have not bitten their heads off at this point for not listening. (Also note: they have ALWAYS had the formulas given to them for every statistics or probability quiz they have taken. Always!)

I start passing out the quizzes and after I give out maybe four papers, another student across the room says, "Oh wait! Do we get to use the formula sheet?" I smiled and said "yes!" Again, my student looks at me and really laughs this time.

NO ONE else noticed the crazy amount of times I answered that question but her smiling and laughing during the situation really did make me thankful and caused me not to lose it!