Eavesdropping on kids' conversations is one of the perks of the job. Granted, most
of the kids talk about pretty mindless stuff most of the time, but at times it's hard to
suppress a giggle, smirk or sigh at some of their claptrap.
It also reminds you that although drugs and sex references litter their conversations, they still have much to learn, and sometimes it's easy to assume that they know more than they actually do. Whilst a class of 12 year olds will happily discuss the merits of bongs and skunk, only one will be able to explain to the rest what a joyrider or jaywalker is.
Meanwhile, the street insults rebound around the room with wild abandon, so I'm cheerfully informed of which pupils have a "ho" for a mother, and who is "so gay" - the general term of abuse, referring to anything that's bad or wrong. For example: "Homework? That's so gay".
Another form of eavesdropping is the ancient practice of note interception. It's an
invaluable way of finding out who smokes, who's a bitch, who's going out with who, who likes
who, and more seriously, who's being bullied.
I haven't had any good notes recently, either to read out to the class, or to threaten to show parents at parents evening. I blame new technology. One of my pupils recently let slip that many of them have their mobiles switched on to "silent" in lessons so they can text friends in other classes. How am I supposed to find out their gossip now? Confiscating mobile phones is a grey area and it's easier to turn a blind eye than risk having something so expensive stolen from my desk. Although the one time I did confiscate a phone I was quite disappointed. Most of the messages were from the girl's mother, sent the previous evening, telling her to come downstairs because her dinner was ready.
added 22/9/03
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