Martha scores! Besides atoning for her previous actions, she is now about to be dreadfully humiliated in front of the whole class, evoking his sympathy and protective instincts! The sheer magnitude of her humiliation will paradoxically translate to a relatively short duration: just as quickly as the story spreads, it will fade out and become “old news”. Meanwhile, she will still have her prize (provided she doesn’t botch it yet again)! Martha McRae, for the win! He wins,too, because with all that emotional investment tied up in the relationship,it will now be really hard for her to dump him or even contend with him. For a similar situation, read about Tom Sawyer and Becky, about two thirds into the book.
I’ve been a teacher for almost 15 years now. The only time notes bother me is when they disrupt class. And I think the teacher is about to disrupt class more than the note ever would have. I honestly do not want to know what one 8th graders has to say to another in a note, I don’t read them, they usually end up in the trash. The only time I might be concerned is if I think that there is a student safety issue, so sometimes I do have to check, just to make sure. But I never, ever, read the note aloud or embarrass the student. I just take the note and move on with class. Usually I’ll even give it back after school and tell them to write notes in a more appropriate way. After all, I am trying to teach them how to use written communication.
Martha is passing a note to Michael in class?! What is this? When did this happen? If Mike and Martha have a class together then:
1. Why did Michael skulk about the school in order to meet her for the first time after summer camp? He could have just talked to her the first day of class. Why didn’t they talk the first day of class?
2. Why was Mike unaware of the gossip going around about his and Martha’s kissing at summer camp, when he shares a class with Janet and with Martha, the primary gossipers? You would think he would have heard them talking before Gordon did.
3. Why did Michael wait until Martha passed him by in the hall to hand her his note? He could have handed her a note anytime in class.
4. If Martha is willing to hand Michael a note in class, why did she leave her response note to his note in his locker?
Martha spends all this time and effort to apologise to Michael, then… uh oh! Back to square one with more agonising over what the teacher is going to do with the note.
I am a teacher. Students tend to think their teachers are oblivious to what they are doing. We are not. We notice but we choose our battles. However, I am not the type to read the note aloud in class. I hold on to it and then have the note writer pick it up after class, unread. I believe whatever is written in the note is none of teacher’s business or the class’s. Taking it away tells the student and the class I am not oblivious like they think I am and they don’t like it when their possession is taken away. I take their mobiles as well when I catch them sneak texts or browsing and if during a test, I give them a F. If a student rather daydream than pay attention, it’s okay by me because I can’t force them to mind me and that does not involve other students. Chatty girls? I separate them in different parts of the room. Love birds? Same thing. I spend more time managing the class than teach – I’m sure you’ve heard that and it’s true.
howtheduck over 6 years ago
If you don’t want the teacher to catch you passing a note then:
1.Don’t try to pass the note across a giant chasm between desks.
2.Don’t spend so much time clutching it to your chest before you pass it.
3.Don’t pass the note right in front of the teacher.
Templo S.U.D. over 6 years ago
Oooooh…. now Michael’s going to be humiliated even MORE!
starfighter441 over 6 years ago
This reminds me of one of my most cringeworthy moments in Elementary School…
Rosette over 6 years ago
Martha was being very obvious about her note passing. Did she think the teacher wouldn’t notice her leaning so far?
Charlie Fogwhistle over 6 years ago
Things just went from bad to worse.
Auntie Socialist over 6 years ago
Martha scores! Besides atoning for her previous actions, she is now about to be dreadfully humiliated in front of the whole class, evoking his sympathy and protective instincts! The sheer magnitude of her humiliation will paradoxically translate to a relatively short duration: just as quickly as the story spreads, it will fade out and become “old news”. Meanwhile, she will still have her prize (provided she doesn’t botch it yet again)! Martha McRae, for the win! He wins,too, because with all that emotional investment tied up in the relationship,it will now be really hard for her to dump him or even contend with him. For a similar situation, read about Tom Sawyer and Becky, about two thirds into the book.
jpayne4040 over 6 years ago
Kids, this is why you never pass notes in class. Whatever it is, it can wait!
Btw: do kids and teachers even still do this anymore?
gypsywolf59 over 6 years ago
Texting today, does away with all the drama of note passing.
Durak Premium Member over 6 years ago
I’ve been a teacher for almost 15 years now. The only time notes bother me is when they disrupt class. And I think the teacher is about to disrupt class more than the note ever would have. I honestly do not want to know what one 8th graders has to say to another in a note, I don’t read them, they usually end up in the trash. The only time I might be concerned is if I think that there is a student safety issue, so sometimes I do have to check, just to make sure. But I never, ever, read the note aloud or embarrass the student. I just take the note and move on with class. Usually I’ll even give it back after school and tell them to write notes in a more appropriate way. After all, I am trying to teach them how to use written communication.
GirlGeek Premium Member over 6 years ago
How to pass notes 101: Use your classmates as a chain to pass notes between person A (giver) and person B (receiver)
Alphaomega over 6 years ago
Good for you,I’ll bet your students love you!
howtheduck over 6 years ago
Martha is passing a note to Michael in class?! What is this? When did this happen? If Mike and Martha have a class together then:
1. Why did Michael skulk about the school in order to meet her for the first time after summer camp? He could have just talked to her the first day of class. Why didn’t they talk the first day of class?
2. Why was Mike unaware of the gossip going around about his and Martha’s kissing at summer camp, when he shares a class with Janet and with Martha, the primary gossipers? You would think he would have heard them talking before Gordon did.
3. Why did Michael wait until Martha passed him by in the hall to hand her his note? He could have handed her a note anytime in class.
4. If Martha is willing to hand Michael a note in class, why did she leave her response note to his note in his locker?
BiathlonNut over 6 years ago
Oops!
JPuzzleWhiz over 6 years ago
Maybe Michael can sing this to her:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH4Cjw_m8_s
The Martha MacRae Fan Club over 6 years ago
Martha spends all this time and effort to apologise to Michael, then… uh oh! Back to square one with more agonising over what the teacher is going to do with the note.
tripwire45 over 6 years ago
Plenty of humiliation to go around.
capricorn9th over 6 years ago
I am a teacher. Students tend to think their teachers are oblivious to what they are doing. We are not. We notice but we choose our battles. However, I am not the type to read the note aloud in class. I hold on to it and then have the note writer pick it up after class, unread. I believe whatever is written in the note is none of teacher’s business or the class’s. Taking it away tells the student and the class I am not oblivious like they think I am and they don’t like it when their possession is taken away. I take their mobiles as well when I catch them sneak texts or browsing and if during a test, I give them a F. If a student rather daydream than pay attention, it’s okay by me because I can’t force them to mind me and that does not involve other students. Chatty girls? I separate them in different parts of the room. Love birds? Same thing. I spend more time managing the class than teach – I’m sure you’ve heard that and it’s true.