Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

The teachers also kicked us all out of classrooms during lunch and recess and promptly at 3:30 so they could relax a bit or grade in peace. We played tag and dodgeball while a bored mom volunteer playground attendant smoked Virginia Slims. You only came inside if you were bleeding or had been knocked unconscious. No one got to read quietly under teacher supervision instead of going out. If you wanted to read, you took your book to the blacktop.

Agree about the "reading quietly"--I did not realize that is an option today.

As for the teachers kicking you out of the classroom during lunch and recess, I think your memory must be a little foggy. I taught back in the day, and teachers always did recess-at least in the systems where I taught. We did not have teachers' aides in those days (except for K and Special Ed.) Teachers also supervised lunch. I even had one principal who required that teachers sit at the table with the kids--in other words, none of the teachers had duty free lunch.
As for the "Virginia Slims", there were those who smoked in the teachers' lounge, but we were never allowed to smoke in front of the kids. (at least not where I taught--I was not a smoker, so I did not pay much attention to it). Also, I had a principal who would not allow us to have sodas or coffee in the classroom when the kids were present. Her philosophy: it was rude and inconsiderate to drink in front of the kids. You would not do that in your home, and you did not do it in her school.

When I was growing up, the teachers were always in the lunchroom with us.

+1

Our teachers supervised recess and ate lunch at their class's table.

Anonymous wrote:

The teachers also kicked us all out of classrooms during lunch and recess and promptly at 3:30 so they could relax a bit or grade in peace. We played tag and dodgeball while a bored mom volunteer playground attendant smoked Virginia Slims. You only came inside if you were bleeding or had been knocked unconscious. No one got to read quietly under teacher supervision instead of going out. If you wanted to read, you took your book to the blacktop.

Agree about the "reading quietly"--I did not realize that is an option today.

As for the teachers kicking you out of the classroom during lunch and recess, I think your memory must be a little foggy. I taught back in the day, and teachers always did recess-at least in the systems where I taught. We did not have teachers' aides in those days (except for K and Special Ed.) Teachers also supervised lunch. I even had one principal who required that teachers sit at the table with the kids--in other words, none of the teachers had duty free lunch.
As for the "Virginia Slims", there were those who smoked in the teachers' lounge, but we were never allowed to smoke in front of the kids. (at least not where I taught--I was not a smoker, so I did not pay much attention to it). Also, I had a principal who would not allow us to have sodas or coffee in the classroom when the kids were present. Her philosophy: it was rude and inconsiderate to drink in front of the kids. You would not do that in your home, and you did not do it in her school.

When I was growing up, the teachers were always in the lunchroom with us.

Anonymous wrote:Out teachers managed without whiteboards, and managed to both teach and supervise pencil sharpening. How come today's teachers are so much less capable?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teacher here- I do ask for a lot of items to be a specific name brand because experience has taught me some generics are poor quality. Dollar store tape dispensers often don't work and many pencils break as soon as you sharpen them. Dry erase markers don't all erase well, etc. I do appreciate anything the families bring and understand they won't know why I am asking for brands. However, I do end up not using a lot of the dollar store items if they break or don't work well. On the other hand, for many items brand does not matter.

How many dry erase markers do teachers really need? It amazes me that they ask every family for a pack and its clearly not for each kid. Sorry, I don't buy us brand stuff if it is more money (a lot, not a few cents), so I'm not buying it for you either. Not everyone can afford or wants to spend $4-6 on a pack of dry erase markers when the dollar store one work fine.

Anonymous wrote:I don't mind buying supplies but I really think every classroom should be supplied with basics like dry erase markers, pencils and a pencil sharpener, etc.