September 15

Truth, Sarcasm, and Diet Dew

Here we are. First blog post. Steeped in truth, sarcasm, and Diet Dew (my caffeine drink of choice).

Welcome.

As a high school teacher, we are expected to educate and lead these young folks who have been entrusted in our care. Many times, these young people are not used to hearing the truth. Or they hear it wrapped in bubblegum and air pockets.

My truth is wrapped in sarcasm and Diet Dew. Teenagers understand the language. it becomes common ground between myself and them. Being real with students allows them to be real with you.

Students may think they want sugar coated feedback, but in reality…they do not. They want the adults in their life to be as real as possible with them. Especially when it is a life lesson or truth they need to hear.

One prime example of sarcasm I use in the classroom is with my classroom rules and procedures. I have funny memes (which let’s face it, is just visual sarcasm) sprinkled throughout my slideshow and on posters and signs around my room.

So many articles have been written with glaring warnings about avoiding sarcasm in the classroom. Please. Get outta here with that mess.  If you can’t speak a foreign language, I would advise not attempting it in a classroom. Same applies to sarcasm. If you cannot speak it effectively and in the humorous vein that it is intended, then do not attempt it. You will fall flat and potentially get yourself in huge trouble.

One of my favorite teacher comedians has multiple examples of sarcasm in the classroom. Some of it we say out loud. Other times we keep it inside.

So there ya go. A little bit of truth and a whole lot of sarcasm. What sort of experiences have you had in speaking the teen language of sarcasm?

Stay tuned.

 

 

All images from Wikimedia Commons is license under GNU Free Documentation and Creative Commons ShareAlike 3.0.

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