Confusing Conversations With My Students

I just wanted to share a funny story that still has me giggling when I think about it. It’s also proof that every interaction that I have with my most challenging student in my ESE self-contained class is not a negative one.

Awkward Conversations With Students

My student echoes a lot. Sometimes he might be making a request or he might be just telling you about something he is doing, seeing, etc. Like when he is reading a book, he might say “Ms. Parker. solar system. solar system.”

So when he came across the room to tell me that he had Pork Skins, it was not surprising.

Or it wouldn’t have been if I hadn’t misunderstood what he said..

Because when he said “Ms Parker, pork skins. Ms. Parker, pork skins”

I heard…

“Ms. Parker, foreskins. Ms. Parker, foreskins.”

That was, in fact, surprising.

And because I’m determined to be respectful to my students and always take them seriously, I didn’t react with the shock that was in my head. I calmly responded the only way i could think of. I echoed right back at him.

Me – foreskins?

Him – Yes. Ms. Parker, foreskins. Ms. Parker, foreskins.

Me – I don’t have foreskin. Do you have foreskin?

Him – Yes.

Me – Ok, good for you. (I then tried to change the subject but he wasn’t having it.)

We continued this surreal back and forth conversation until my para finally heard and said “he is saying pork skins!”

Ohhhh, hahaha! I told him that I was glad he had pork skins and he went back to eating them, apparently satisfied that I finally understood.

I had a good laugh and got back to work; more than relieved that my student didn’t actually want to discuss his foreskin.