Nutless
(It's not about allergies!) 124 words15 total reviews
Comment from Father Flaps
Good Morning, Debra
Our granddaughter, Alyssa, is in Grade 3 this year... a month away from being done. I tell her, "You're almost done being an angel... next year, you'll be a sugar plum!" (Have you heard that little rhyme?
Grade One, Babies
Grade Two, Bums
Grade Three, Angels
Grade Four, Sugarplums!)
She has a wonderful teacher, Susan Brillant. But there are a lot of kids in her class with "issues", and the teacher doesn't get a lot of help (like a TA, teacher's assistant). So next year, Mrs. Brillant is moving to another school. It will be a huge loss to Island View School.
School has surely changed over the years. When I was in Elementary School (so many years ago), it was much more strict. You sat at your desk. You didn't talk or even whisper. You raised your hand if you needed to ask a question. No chewing gum! That was a big no-no. You got the strap if you were bad, and parents accepted that. In Grade Two, I remember Mrs. Morris telling us, "Don't go over the hill from the playground. If you do, you're going to get the strap!" (You see, the road was new there, and she didn't want us getting too close to the road. We might get hit by a car.) But what did a bunch of us boys do? We went over the hill, of course. When recess was over, we went back inside. And Mrs. Morris lined us up and gave us two swats on our hands with a strap!
But today, kids are up and down. They walk freely through the classroom. They talk out loud to their friends. They're sharpening pencils and looking out the window. It's chaos! I wouldn't want to be a teacher these days. Some kids are autistic to some degree. Some are diagnosed with ADHD. It's hard on the parents, and very difficult for teachers.
It seems this "brat" in your story has high-functioning autism. I enjoyed your story, though, Deb. The bit about your "lack of nuts" was cute. But not that this child threatened you.
"...he's mid-rampage and I'm running out of steam." You're exasperated.
My wife and I watch "Doc Martin" (Martin Clunes), and your story reminds me of his girlfriend, Louisa Glasson (played by Caroline Catz). She's plays a school teacher, and we've seen her dealing with troubled boys in Port Wenn (Port Isaac) in Cornwall. Do you ever watch the series? We love it. It's so funny!
Anyway, this is a great fiction story, one that probably is played out in schools around the world everyday.
Nicely penned!
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Good Morning, Debra
Our granddaughter, Alyssa, is in Grade 3 this year... a month away from being done. I tell her, "You're almost done being an angel... next year, you'll be a sugar plum!" (Have you heard that little rhyme?
Grade One, Babies
Grade Two, Bums
Grade Three, Angels
Grade Four, Sugarplums!)
She has a wonderful teacher, Susan Brillant. But there are a lot of kids in her class with "issues", and the teacher doesn't get a lot of help (like a TA, teacher's assistant). So next year, Mrs. Brillant is moving to another school. It will be a huge loss to Island View School.
School has surely changed over the years. When I was in Elementary School (so many years ago), it was much more strict. You sat at your desk. You didn't talk or even whisper. You raised your hand if you needed to ask a question. No chewing gum! That was a big no-no. You got the strap if you were bad, and parents accepted that. In Grade Two, I remember Mrs. Morris telling us, "Don't go over the hill from the playground. If you do, you're going to get the strap!" (You see, the road was new there, and she didn't want us getting too close to the road. We might get hit by a car.) But what did a bunch of us boys do? We went over the hill, of course. When recess was over, we went back inside. And Mrs. Morris lined us up and gave us two swats on our hands with a strap!
But today, kids are up and down. They walk freely through the classroom. They talk out loud to their friends. They're sharpening pencils and looking out the window. It's chaos! I wouldn't want to be a teacher these days. Some kids are autistic to some degree. Some are diagnosed with ADHD. It's hard on the parents, and very difficult for teachers.
It seems this "brat" in your story has high-functioning autism. I enjoyed your story, though, Deb. The bit about your "lack of nuts" was cute. But not that this child threatened you.
"...he's mid-rampage and I'm running out of steam." You're exasperated.
My wife and I watch "Doc Martin" (Martin Clunes), and your story reminds me of his girlfriend, Louisa Glasson (played by Caroline Catz). She's plays a school teacher, and we've seen her dealing with troubled boys in Port Wenn (Port Isaac) in Cornwall. Do you ever watch the series? We love it. It's so funny!
Anyway, this is a great fiction story, one that probably is played out in schools around the world everyday.
Nicely penned!
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 25-May-2022
reply by the author on 25-May-2022
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Hello Kimbob!
Wow - you've dug this one up from the depths of 2019! Thanks so much for the feedback :)
I've moved schools since I wrote this piece and the children are a tamer breed in my new school, I'm happy to say! Although, we do have the issues you mention in your feedback - the up and downness, the chattering and distractedness. 6/23 children in my class have actual 'needs' (diagnosed and undiagnosed) and it can be hard to maintain an effective learning environment at times. But, I do love my job :) - I'm currently on a 2 week mid term break and enjoying the 'rest' LOL!
I haven't heard the rhyme before... I bet Alyssa can't wait to become a sugarplum! I love her teacher's name - it sounds like it suits her - shame she is moving on.
Hope you're having a good day so far - must be early where you are... it's 11:05am here - contemplating what to make for lunch for Rebecca (11yr old daughter) and I - maybe a cheese and ham toastie :)
Catch up soon, Debs x
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Hi Deb,
I hope your vacay is relaxing. School finished here near the end of June. And the kids are off until after Labor Day in September. We'll have to keep Alyssa happy the whole day then. There's no Golden Years for us. (I just read Wendy G's post, and sounds like she's in the same boat as us... looking after the grandkids!) So, do you watch "Doc Martin"?
It's just 7:30am here. I've been up since 6. I can't lay awake in bed. I have to get up.
Cheerio!
your friend,
Kimbob
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Yes I do! I love Martin Clunes - he's a great actor - very versatile and utterly believable in everything he does.
Enjoy your day - hope you have something fun planned :) x
Comment from JudyE
Oh dear! I'm glad I never had such a job. I would have been useless at it. School children have certainly changed since I was at school too. Your story is interesting and I can't make any suggestions for improvement.
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Oh dear! I'm glad I never had such a job. I would have been useless at it. School children have certainly changed since I was at school too. Your story is interesting and I can't make any suggestions for improvement.
Comment Written 17-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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H Judy :)
Thank you so much for your great feedback....when it gets a bit much, I give my colleague the nod to take over for a moment, and then I nip into the staffroom to have a flapjack!
Best wishes, Debra :)
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I think I'd be into the chocolate!!
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LOL x
Comment from Dawn Munro
Hahahaha! The little brat! And what a mouth on him! I hope she catches him and... Well, I guess a teacher would get into some trouble for washing a child's mouth out with soap, but Debra, your gem of a story makes me wish that wasn't the case... HAHAHA!
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hahahaha! The little brat! And what a mouth on him! I hope she catches him and... Well, I guess a teacher would get into some trouble for washing a child's mouth out with soap, but Debra, your gem of a story makes me wish that wasn't the case... HAHAHA!
Comment Written 16-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hi Dawn :)
Thank you so much for your great feedback.
Best wishes as always, Debra :)
Comment from bertodi
I absolutely feel for you. Whilst teaching at an East End London Comp., one big, broad Cockney lad threw a large bottle of Indian Ink at me, for teaching GCSE German. The two teachers in classes on either side were highly amused, a Scott and a Welsh, also teaching German and tittered at the door: she's not even a German, she's a Hungarian! Definitely, school was not like that when I was at school either, but this was a State school and I and my children had always gone to Church schools, I do believe there is a difference. I had enough and moved to a College, where we had line-managers and managers, who took control of their masses seriously, not just as something teachers had to put up with!
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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I absolutely feel for you. Whilst teaching at an East End London Comp., one big, broad Cockney lad threw a large bottle of Indian Ink at me, for teaching GCSE German. The two teachers in classes on either side were highly amused, a Scott and a Welsh, also teaching German and tittered at the door: she's not even a German, she's a Hungarian! Definitely, school was not like that when I was at school either, but this was a State school and I and my children had always gone to Church schools, I do believe there is a difference. I had enough and moved to a College, where we had line-managers and managers, who took control of their masses seriously, not just as something teachers had to put up with!
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 17-Mar-2019
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Hi bertodi :)
Thank you so much for your empathetic feedback.
Much appreciated,
Best wishes, Debra :)
Comment from giraffmang
Hi there,
Now this one I can relate to. lol School has definitely changed, and not necessarily for the better.
Funny thing is (although it's not really all that funny) is that it's my job to keep him safe. - I think you could delete one is the usages of 'is' here.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Hi there,
Now this one I can relate to. lol School has definitely changed, and not necessarily for the better.
Funny thing is (although it's not really all that funny) is that it's my job to keep him safe. - I think you could delete one is the usages of 'is' here.
Comment Written 15-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Hi :)
Thanks so much for your feedback. I appreciate you spotting the mistake - I've sorted it ;)
Best wishes, Debra :)
Comment from 24chas
This was really funny, Debra. I got a little excited when I saw the title, but I wasn't sure how this was going to play out. But now I know. Nice job, my friend.
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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This was really funny, Debra. I got a little excited when I saw the title, but I wasn't sure how this was going to play out. But now I know. Nice job, my friend.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Cheers, Chas :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for your great comments.
Best wishes as always, Debra
Comment from BeasPeas
I agree with you. Kids today get away with murder in the school system. No respect. Well written, clear, and sadly--believable. I give teachers a lot of credit having to put up with all that. Marilyn
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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I agree with you. Kids today get away with murder in the school system. No respect. Well written, clear, and sadly--believable. I give teachers a lot of credit having to put up with all that. Marilyn
Comment Written 14-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Hi Marilyn :)
Thank you so much for your insightful comments. It's a hard job for sure...so much more than teaching the curriculum!
Best wishes to you as always - I hope you are fully recovered after your recent surgery :) Debra
Comment from Jannypan (Jan)
You did a good job, Debra, with your contest entry. Your lines flow smoothly with a good little story. That student probably doesn't belong in the regular classroom full time. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes. Jan
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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You did a good job, Debra, with your contest entry. Your lines flow smoothly with a good little story. That student probably doesn't belong in the regular classroom full time. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes. Jan
Comment Written 14-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Hi Jan :)
Thank you for your feedback, I appreciate it :) You are right, he doesn't spend much time in the classroom - way too disruptive. It is a difficult situation to manage at times.
Best wishes, Debra
Comment from RichardFann
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Hi Debs,
No comment. As I don't think this is fiction.
You have my full sympathy.
Is counselling available?
Is karate available?
Hint: Keep a hamster in your bag, and simply say "Have you seen my hamster today?"
Just a useless thought.
I'm retired.
Thanks,
Richard.
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reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Hi Debs,
No comment. As I don't think this is fiction.
You have my full sympathy.
Is counselling available?
Is karate available?
Hint: Keep a hamster in your bag, and simply say "Have you seen my hamster today?"
Just a useless thought.
I'm retired.
Thanks,
Richard.
.
Comment Written 14-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 15-Mar-2019
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Richard :) I like the hamster in the handbag idea... trip to the pet shop for me at the weekend!
You are right, by the way...
Best wishes, Debs
Comment from Rachelle Allen
Simply fantastic. I loved it from the "It's not about allergies" sentence above the titled!! You've done an outstanding job with creating this scene. SOO vivid, and I can feel your tension and frustration building yet there you are, in true Teacher Mode, keeping your sense of humor through it. This one is memorable (for all the right reasons. ) I'm so glad I read this today. xo
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2019
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Simply fantastic. I loved it from the "It's not about allergies" sentence above the titled!! You've done an outstanding job with creating this scene. SOO vivid, and I can feel your tension and frustration building yet there you are, in true Teacher Mode, keeping your sense of humor through it. This one is memorable (for all the right reasons. ) I'm so glad I read this today. xo
Comment Written 14-Mar-2019
reply by the author on 14-Mar-2019
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Hi Rachelle :)
Thank you so much for your great feedback.
Some days are a challenge, but mostly they're rewarding.
As you quoted in one of your earlier posts, 'the children who deserve your love the least are the ones who need it the most.'
Best wishes to you as always, Debra :)
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You have the same heart my mentor, Ann, does. No wonder I like you so much. xo
