9th Grade Wisdom

Originally posted on June 3, 2005. I wonder how Tristan is doing?

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Today was sort of the last day of class for the 9th graders.  Tonight we held conseils de classe, which is an end-of-quarter event.  This time we discussed the kids' orientations:  who'll go on to high school, who'll go to vo-tech school, etc. 

I say it was "sort of" the last day of class, because once the conseil is done, lots of students don't bother coming.  Today the kids were all rowdy.  I started the lesson with the correction of homework, and let a girl who was hoping to pass into high school sucking up write the answers on the board.  I was circulating around the room and  stopped near Tristan's desk. 

He said "Madame, I have a question."

"What is it, Tristan?"

"Orgasme en anglais, c'est bien 'orgasme'?"   I put on my faux-surprised face for this 15-year old French boy who was verifying how to say "orgasm" in English. 

"C'est bien ça, Madame."  With a nod of my head I let on that, indeed, he was correct. 

Tristan made another comment about it, and I said "Thank you, Tristan, I KNOW that word in English."  He replied "The important thing is to experience it." 

I'm translating badly here, because I can't really remember the exact exchange.  I just shook my head, walked away and tried not to smile.  I should have sent him out of the room.  I should have sent him out of the room that day he heard me reprimand a boy (at the end of class, mind you) for saying cunni*l1ngus -- Tristan said "Vous connaissez, Madame?"   I had never heard a more loaded statement in the classroom.  Until today.

Thing is, Tristan is a charming boy AND a good student.  For the record, he's the one who told me that my dress "slammed" the other day. 

I've cut Tristan a lot of slack, because he's got a twinkle in his eye and, I'll admit, because he flatters me in his awkward 15-year old way.  It's kind of troubling.  I wouldn't have put up with such language from other kids. 

Yes, Tristan, I know those words.  Intimately.  But I'm not Mrs. Robinson.  And cute as you are, you're still a minor. 

Comments

[cassie-b]

Clever boy - even if he is a minor.

I didn't know that you taught 15 year old students. That can be a tough age.

[saundrah]

Is this where you confess to your teenage boy seduction fantasies, Miss Letourneau??

:)

[Betty C.]

There but for the grace of god go I... I thought so much about trying to get into the "Education nationale" and never did it. Talk about no regrets! I'm going to have to go back over your posts about experience in "collège." I don't know you very well but find it very hard to imagine you sitting around the "Conseil de classe" table...