Stuff My 8th Graders Say

It takes a very special type of person to teach middle school.

Most of the middle school teachers I talked to, before I became a middle school teacher myself was that they either loved it or hated it.  Take my parents for example, both teach middle school.  My mother, hates 8th graders and loves 7th graders.  My father, hates 7th graders and loves 8th graders.  I think I hate both.

I absolutely LOVED teaching high school.  I had a blast with my sophomores and juniors.  8th graders on the other hand.  Not so much.  I find myself very frustrated most of the time because they always want to touch each other and say terrible things to each other.  Which usually leads to either a physical fight or a verbal one.  And I really can’t stand it.  They also don’t know how to keep silent when I’m talking, which is very annoying.  I’m constantly having to ask them to be quiet.  GRRR So frustrating.

Now that’s not to say that there aren’t some occasions when they make me laugh or smile at the things they say.  Or smirk at them because they’ve said something super smart ass and I don’t know whether to laugh or scold.

So I have decided to share some of the things my students have said, either in conversation with me or just directly to me.  And you be the judge.

Female student: Ms., you always smell like cough drops.

Another female student: Awe, Ms. you look so pretty.  My grandmamma has a dress that looks just like that.

Do you have kids, Ms. Norris?
Not yet.
Don’t you want them?  Cuz if you do, you better hurry up, you’re not getting any younger.

Ms. Norris, do you like Starbucks?
Of course
Then how come you don’t bring that everyday instead of your own from home
Because I’m not a Rockefeller, that’s why.
Well when I have a job I’m gonna get Starbucks everyday, cuz I love it.
To which I laughed.

Male student (who is black) Ms. Norris, do you listen to music?
Obviously.
I bet you only listen to Michelle Branch huh?
No…..(said with a laugh) Why?
Just wondering.
Are your asking because of the movie White Chicks?
Yep. I am.
I love that movie.

(Here’s the scene from the movie, in case you have no idea what I’m talking about.)Ms. Norris.  Wearing your sunglasses on your head huh.  Do you think you look cool or something.