Mal's TKD school does the hand-up thing, and it's really effective.

I think back to teaching problem high-school kids, and I'm not sure it would work with them, but they sometimes surprised me. It's worth a shot, and it feels more democratic than authoritative.

geeze hil, that's beyond distracting and disrespectful. i had plenty of profs with clauses in the syllabus about electronics. All cell phones/music players must be out of sight and silent. if the professor was made aware of such an item in any way (i.e ringing phone, clicking noises, etc) that item was immediately confiscated until the end of class. I thought that was a brilliant policy and we never had ringing phones in those classes. Tought to introduce mid-semester without seeming like you are targeting a specific student, but i'd want to yank those headphones off (and maybe an ear with them).

Definitely, Hil.

I'm only a substitute teacher, so I'm never really teaching, but I totally see that kids listening to music during class is not cool.

I always let kids work together or in groups when I'm substituting, but if a kid wants to work alone I do let them have their iPod out if they keep the music to a volume where no one else can hear it. I do take away phones when they play music on the speakers, though.

I haven't decided yet if I should let them text or not. Part of me knows that in a real class they couldn't have them out, but the other half of me feels like a kid texting doesn't really bother anyone... I don't know.

I do the hands up thing with middle school and it works.

What's the hands up thing?

Oh, I've given up on telling them not to text during class. It's just too hard for me to see from the front of the room what everybody's doing.

What's the hands up thing?

Trudy Booth "Spike's Bitches 46: Don't I get a cookie?" Oct 18, 2010 4:11:56 pm PDT

Well, we're now in that part of the year when I have to start using a lightbox. And trying to turn my hours around to wake up slightly before dawn so I can get every minute of light possible. Anyone else in that boat with me?

Ahoy. Except I don't have a lifejacket lightbox.

Barb, fantastic book review and wonderful kid! Way to go!

In other news, I e-mailed Doctor Girl yesterday and got a response this morning:

Well, that's promising, even if only on the friendship front.

"Why do you always go back? Do you have something waiting for you at the apartment?"

Uh, YES?

Have your return ticket and getaway money handy at all times.

And Passport!

Much fun as it sounds, I really don't know if I'd go PC. (And I'll be kind of surprised if your brother decides to.) This does not seem like a good time to start blurring lines you've drawn.

Tell them you're saving India for the honeymoon.