Immature? Moi?

Did I not promise more posts?

Technically I did not actually overhear this, but it's too funny to not relate.

Today in math class, students were working in groups to come up with ideas that will be included on our 7th grade social contract.  For those of you not in the know, the social contract is a document that details how we will treat each other.  Once all ideas are discussed and voted upon, everyone (including the teachers) will sign it.  This helps us all to be held accountable for our words and actions.

Usually we encourage the students to include words with broad implications in a variety of situations, such as "respect."  Then we talk about what respect looks like and sounds like, to ensure that everyone understands how we define it.

Apparently a group of students were discussing the word "maturely."  This is a word that commonly comes up on the social contract.  One of the students complained, and I am paraphrasing, "Why do we have to act maturely?  Ms. Whiston doesn't."

Frankly, I am somewhat surprised that no one has brought up this point before.

Technically, He's Not Wrong...

It's only the second day of the school year, but I am already getting the feeling that I might be posting more often this year!

As a get-to-know-you/following directions activity, the students have to create a vanity plate that represents themselves.  You know, they look like this:

But because I am a MASTER TEACHER (ha ha ha ha hahahahahaha), I don't just say create a personalized license plate.  I try to get them to figure out what a vanity plate is by using some logical deduction.  They can usually figure out that I am talking about license plates rather than dinner plates, but it's more difficult to get to the definition of vanity.  One student pointed out that a vanity is a piece of furniture.  I agreed with them and asked them to describe a vanity.  The class was able to put together that a vanity is a low dresser with a spot where you can pull up a chair.  And there's a big mirror.

"So why do we call this furniture a 'vanity?'" I asked.  

Blank stares.

"What does 'vanity' mean?"

More blank stares.

"Okay... let's think.  It's called a 'vanity' because of the activity that occurs at it.  Would men or women be more likely to sit down at a vanity?"

Everyone was in instant agreement that women would be more likely to sit there.

"Why?  What might women be doing at the vanity?  Remember, there's a huge mirror on it," I prompted.

A boy in the middle of the room raises his hand and answers, "Taking selfies?"