Uncategorized | Oct 24, 2009
Amusement, irony, and sarcasm in classrooms across the blogosphere…
By Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
Amusement, irony, and sarcasm in classrooms across the blogosphere…
By Angela Watson
Teaching kindergarten is planning for Halloween ‘academic games’ and changing 29 children into costumes for a 20 minute party, solely for the amusement of her principal.
Hobo Teacher laments a colleague’s use of “The Math Pimp” persona. I suggest announcing it over the P.A. system.
Mrs. Bluebird uncovers yet another reason to preview materials before passing them out to children…and it involves the male reproductive system.
Mrs. Chili writes a letter to her students’ parents about laziness and apathy, and receives a single response.
John Spencer creates a video debunking the danger of “Denim Day”. I would argue that certain teachers wearing certain jean styles could be, in fact, dangerous and may cause temporary blindness, but point taken.
The Bus Driver tries out some logical consequences for Puke Girl and Poop Boy.
Mystery Teacher poses for a school picture…and “the office” requests a re-take.
One of Tattle Teacher‘s students learns to shape up, or go back to Mexico and take care of the goats.
Sarah contemplates writing “See diploma. See resume.” in lieu of filling out tedious lesson plan forms.
Mister Teacher spends a thrilling afternoon uncovering the reasons why his ESL kids don’t understand elaborate word problems. Of course, if they couldn’t define ‘sum’ two weeks prior, the outlook wasn’t too bright.
Angela Watson
Founder and Writer
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I enjoyed finding some humorous teaching blogs through yours. I agree that reading stories and commentaries by other teachers is a great stress relief. Sometimes I need to know that others out there have tough days. Sometimes I like to hear about the successes of other teachers because it's inspiring.
I recently came across your blog and I look forward to reading more!
Katie
http://www.sneakerteacher.blogspot.com
Incidentally, I'm in the snarky category quite often. It's not that I dislike the profession, but that I want to express every emotion about it – and sometimes it means drawing myself as a robot or making a mocking video about denim. Other times, it's a happy story. I'm sure chicken soup is swell for some souls, but too much of it will make the soul grow anemic.
Thank you for introducing me to some great blogs to follow! And thank you for the fantastic work you've done on your blog through the years. Angela, you are greatly responsible for helping me have a saner, more productive, effective teaching practice! I stumbled on your old website as I was beginning my second year of teaching and you have truly helped to transform how I viewed my students, my profession and myself. Way to go!
I believe my comment came out much harsher than anticipated. I guess I didn't realize how emotionally vested in this site I actually was. Throughout college and into my first year of teaching, I relied heavily on your website, book, and blogs. Honestly, I check them twice a day.
Perhaps, I don't understand the snarkiness. I apologize for the rude comment, yet I look forward to more uplifting, practical posts and advice.
@KT: Thanks, I recently discovered your blog as well. Glad you have you here!
@John: I'm so with you…"expressing every emotion I have about teaching". That definitely runs the whole gamut!
@Amelia: That's great to hear, Amelia! Thanks so much for the kind words. 🙂
@Anon: Thanks so much for coming back to clarify what you meant. I'm glad my writing has been so helpful to you! I know what you're feeling…I've seen blogs that I *loved* go in a different direction and it is disappointing because I loved the way it used to be! And you're right: you probably just don't "get" the snarkier stuff. Not everyone can relate. But don't worry, I've got a ton of other posts coming up that are right up your alley. There's one called "I saved the life of a child (a true story)"…I hope to finish it this month. Thanks for sticking around. 🙂