sometimes, being on the inside is scary

You know, sometimes it's just plain scary being inside public education. Allow me to spin my latest tale of oddity, straight out of grade 4.

As I type this email, I've just returned to my room after recess duty. Usually, recess duty is pretty easy. One just hangs out with the kids and watches to ensure they're interacting properly. Today, it wasn't quite that easy.

Interestingly, I dealt with 4 young boys who were a bit on the precocious side. These students would always look my way before doing anything, and were generally looking to see just how far they could push me. However, once they started singing "Baby Got Back," I sat them in chairs and instructed them the rest of the time would be spent reading. A logical punishment, as far as I'm concerned, for doing a somewhat inappropriate for school rap.

Yet according to another teacher, it's not a logical punishment; in fact, it's not permitted. When I asked what I was allowed to do, here's the answer I received:

"uh...ummm...well..."

That's right, folks. I didn't get an answer. In fact, there is no answer to the question. According to the recess monitors, they're not allowed to discipline. The kids are allowed to do as they please with no worries of punishment. Since recess is, "their time," we cannot restrict it. Gee, I wonder what other wonderful things these kids get away with...especially when they're out on the playground.

It would seem I'm the only one who sees anything wrong with this. Apparently, allowing students to run amok and do as they please is a new philosophy...appealing to their egos and self-images. But as far as I'm concerned, it's no wonder we're breeding a generation of kids who are amazingly narcissistic and angry. They have no rules (much of the time) and when expectations are placed upon them, these same kids are appalled that they'd have to adhere to any set of standards but their own.

A study about students and these tendencies is here.

But what's the solution? Good question. If this attitude continues, I'm fearful for the next generation. Since no man is an island, one person such as me isn't going to change the world. But a large number of people who aren't interested in anything but themselves could do some major damage.

Then again, I like me. Everyone should like me. Being me is awesome! If I were you, I'd like me, too...yeah, right.