Every generation has complaints about the previous generation. It was so bad when I was growing up they even coined a term for it, It was called it the generation gap. We boomers were definitely different from our parents. We challenged our institutions to be relevant and worthy.
What my lunch group was discussing today was the change in students today in their attitude of entitlement. My students feel no compunction to taking facial tissue from the teacher's desk without request. The school district does not pay for tissue. This comes our of our pockets, even though this is a small expense it is assumed that it comes with the classroom. I am concerned about this since every room that I am in I am borrowing from a teacher who teaches more classes in it than I do. They are taking tissues from from a teacher they do not even know.
Ron, the phototgraphy teacher at one of the high school has noted this too. I student came up to his desk and demanded some tape. As all of us do, he asked how the student planned to use it. She replied, to close my m and m bag. He said no, not a proper use. She immediately reached down and grabbed a piece of thinly cut duct tape that he uses for his film cassettes. He told her that he had to write her up. Her friends said give him back his tape, She did and he did not write her up. Granted this was really not a good hill to die on (*see my previous posts.) It does represent this new sense of entitlement that students are now exhibiting.
Another teacher, told me that she goes through a little routine every time a tissue is desired off her desk. The student comes up and asks, "Do you have tissue?" Her answer is yes. Then there is a period of pause. She then asks, "Do you need tissue?
The student answers,"yes." Another long pause. She then asks," You need to ask for some." Another long pause. Student says, "oh, may I have some tissue." This still doesn't get down to the issue that students expect you to have tape and tissue for their uss because you are teaching them.
I was appalled at an adult since of entitlement too. I was shopping at my local Raley's and as I approached the check stand, a lady who was another shopper just like me pulled up to the check stand and used the phone to call home without permission. I wouldn't have dreamed of doing this.
Have we reached a point in our civilization where what is yours is mine and what is mine is yours and you can have anything of mine because it is exposed or assumed? Is this a fight we should be having with our students?
Love
Pat
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When our school district stopped providing tissue, most teachers started bringing it, but the elementary teachers were the most creative by putting it on their supply list. Students came in carting a huge box which was put into the general supply.
I understand the feeling of dealing with the "entitlement" generation. Everyday I deal with students who walk in to my room and run open up a folder that is sitting on the table and rifle through it. In a very teacherish voice, I am ashamed to say, I go,"OH! ...so it is ok if I go to your room in your house and go through your files!" They usually agree that they wouldn't like that.
On the tape issue, every year, I usually read a book called Teacher and Child which reminds me what it is like to be in a powerless institution where your every action is determined by authorities. I probably would have said to the young lady in question, "I'm glad you are putting away your m*m's, here's a piece of tape." I think if I were using other people's room, I would bring the biggest darn box of kleenex as a chrismas present and have all the students of that period sign a card to include with it.
(one student I had would never use my tissue, but would always ask to go to the bathroom to blow his nose. I suppose you could carry a roll of toilet tissue with you, and give to students!) :::grin:::
That Rayley's woman was probably whack... too much Spanish cake! If confronted she probably would have said, "But it's a local call!" In this day and age of cell phones, public phones are fast disapppearing.
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