Comment from ExperiencingLiphe

Excellent

Most teachers don't pay attention to things like this. I learned in school it's very few that actually care. Most of them just have their favorites and if you're on that list then you're screwed. I'm sure you made a difference in many lives teaching.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021

And they made a huge impact on mine, just like you have. Jan

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

What a good idea to walk round the classroom whilst calling Roll. If all teachers did that, there would be less problems to face. In my day as a pupil, we didn't dare argue with the teacher. If we did something wrong, we'd not only get a good telling off from the teacher, but also our mums for being naughty in class!! Now I want to know what Troy was up to. I enjoyed this part. :)) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 12-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Thanks, Sandra. When I went to school, the teacher was always right. Just the way it was back then. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

This is well written. You get an A+ for that. You have spike our interest in wanting to know what Troy got into for twenty minutes. It's not fiction so there is only so much tease you can give.

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

For sure, lancellot. Sometimes hard to know where to break chapters in reality. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

With that age of students, especially males, there's always something going on. LOL Thank you for sharing.

I always walked around the room when I did this so I could get close to the student and make a quick assessment of that student's mood on a given day. (I wish more teachers figured that out.)

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Barbara, I wish it was my idea. Actually, my math methods professor taught us that and to teach math as a language. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from davisr (Rhonda)

Excellent

I love your teacher story. Having recently retired from High School Science teaching, it was a welcome reminder of a former life. I'm not sure if it's because of common experience, but your writing put me right there with you in the classroom, which is the point of most writers. You left us with a great tease at the end so we will look forward to your next chapter.

Great job,
Rhonda

 Comment Written 11-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Thanks so much, Rhonda. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

As I also taught Maths for many years I find it interesting comparing your stories with my own! I particularly enjoyed teaching the lower Maths classes, as the only way was up! Thanks for another well written story.

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Wendy, I agree 100% with teaching the average kids. It was always a challenge. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

I'm glad that you had the insight to listen in and have the boys wait outside. Wish I had you for geometry! I got through it mostly by memorizing theorems. The football player behind me was hoping to copy my work!

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

lyenochka:

I used to tell my students if they were going to cheat to pick somebody smarter than them. Memorizing postulates and theorems is the best way to pass geometry. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Mastery

Excellent

Aw nuts! It was just starting to get interesting, LOL Hi Jan. Your writing is well done from beginning sentence to closing line.
You have some wonderful stories to tell and they are very interesting to me.

I do have one suggestion, although it feels sort of weird telling an educator like you (with all of your experience )much of anything worthwhile. But.

Here goes: According to Strunk and White's little bible on punctuation and other excellent references you may want to consider this concerning speech tags.

Even though "he said" "she said" may sound trite and repetitive when used over and over again, it is the only way to go. (Trust me on this) I have published five novels and learned that long ago from my editors. I have never been faulted for the use of the "saids" since my first book

For instance here are two examples of trying to be different in your writing here: ""What do you mean you're not coming? We've been planning this for weeks," hissed Troy. (hissed Troy) "said Troy"

And: "Man, it sounded like such a great idea at the time but I hadn't thought about what my ole man would do to me if he found out. I just can't risk that," retorted Jeff. ("retorted Jeff") "said Jeff"

And: Kids sure weren't all this polite when I was in school: (LOL)

"Yes, ma'am," responded a chorus of voices.

"

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Thanks, Mastery. I'll keep that in mind. Actually, back when I taught in the 70s, I taught in a mostly rural school made up of kids from families I had known a long, long time. I graduated from that same school in June 1969 and began teaching there in late August 1972. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Jessica Borras

Excellent

Oh my goodness, I need to know more! So, first... Geometry was my absolute favorite. Second, you sound like one of my favorite teachers from high school, Mrs. Crenshaw... I adored her.

I can't wait to find out what Troy was up to. <3

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 12-Feb-2021

Jessica, you just don't know how rare it is for me to hear that anyone actually likes geometry. Thanks for your kind review. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

You are right about your intuition about something going on. I enjoyed this chapter, Jan. I could picture everything as I read it. I taught many years in a portable building. You did a great job with descriptive words.
Thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 10-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 10-Feb-2021

Thank you so much, Jan. Rdfrdmom2