I see Andy, one of our most socially hesitant students, standing aimlessly in the hallway of our hotel.
Me: How’s it going, Andy?
Andy: I locked my key in my room.
Me: Hmm. I would recommend you ask one of your roommates to unlock it for you.
Andy: I don’t have their numbers in my phone.
Me: Go ask them. Where are they?
Andy: I’m not sure. I would guess they’re eating lunch.
Me: Okay. Then walk over to the cafeteria.
Andy: I’m only wearing socks. My shoes are in my room too.
Me: Then ask another friend to go find them for you.
AND HE DOES!
Our students hear a lecture on global concerns, including global energy use. As we leave the lecture, we walk through the hotel lobby where we see that concurrently with our trip, the hotel is hosting a conference for an organization against the use of nuclear energy.
Me: Did you see the group upstairs?
June: I had to walk away before I got angry.
Me: Why is that? I won’t be offended.
June: Nuclear power is one of the cleanest power sources we have. I mean, there must be some use for nuclear waste.
I fully expect to be using nuclear waste to power my hoverbike in twenty years.
I’m a hall monitor during student free time. Loud music was playing from a student hotel room.
Me: (KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.)
(A while passes.)
Me: (KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK. I start to knock in time with the music.)
Students: (from inside the room) Shut the music off!
Me: (KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK in time with the music.)
(Door opens.)
Steven: Oh, sorry Mr. C. Do you want us to turn the music off?
Me: I heard a party in here and I wanted to join. Your music got me knocking to the beat!
Why do students think teachers will only tell them to stop what they’re doing?