Can't Get Away with Anything

On Thursday I had a student come in late as we were discussing "The Jungle." This is nothing new for this student though.

So we finished and I set them to work reading Ch. 4. That is when this student comes up to my desk and asks if they can go to the library to read the book.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I have trouble reading this small print. I read it magnified on the computer."

"Hmmm."

Likely bloody story, I thought. So I checked Google and, sure enough, there was a version available from googlebooks to read online.

Errr.

"Okay. But stay on task otherwise you're coming back," I said. Then I emailed Kelly to make sure this was okay.

In the meantime I called another teacher to see about this supposed reading problem. He said that he knew nothing of this student's trouble reading small print and basically thought it was bs.

Perfect.

I emailed Kelly to make sure she kept an eye on the student and if they weren't on task to give them the boot.

What I didn't know, though, was just how good Kelly was.

She sent me some an email containing some screen captures she had taken of said student's computer screen.

Here are a few samples.











Then I promptly sent them home and to others who are involved in keeping the student in line.

The next day when she asked to go to the library, I showed they student the pictures. They said, "Sparknotes is the same thing as reading the book."

I simply muttered a prayer and got back to the work of teaching those who wanted to be there and learn and actually do the work (ie read the book!!!)