Agnes Krampe Poet Quatrain

It's In the Syllabus

I spend a lot of time to write
A syllabus for class:
These are the rules, the dates of tests,
The points you need to pass.

I even make a video
Where I sit and explain
What’s written in the syllabus
So that they can’t complain.

I make a lovely website, too,
With all the files. They can
Find schedules, homework, old exams,
Who teaches where and when.

Yet nonetheless, the emails come.
“When is the homework due?”
“I heard there are no labs this week.
Say, is this really true?”

“I did not know there was a quiz.
Please, can I take it late?”
“When is my lab?” “We have a test?
I cannot make the date!”

It drives me nuts. They did not read.
I feel the urge to yell –
Of course, that’s unprofessional,
And so I simply tell

The student: “In the syllabus
It states, right on page two …”
And quote the lines – because, what else
Am I supposed to do?

5/9/2017
For contest What annoys you
Sponsored by Frank Herrera

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Line Gauthier July 26, 2018 at 9:27 PM You teach grade 2, right, Agnes? You can't ask too much of them. I certainly hope a copy of this poem is on your website!

Connie Marcum Wong June 5, 2017 at 5:28 AM I can relate Agnes. I guess it's just easier for them to ask instead of to read. I teach Reiki and I have found repeating things a lot really helps drum the subject in. Your students should be more aware considering the subject you teach. I love the playful way you have written this poem Agnes. Perhaps you might include it in your next syllabus! : ) 7

Andrea Dietrich May 10, 2017 at 6:34 PM You tell them: You snooze, you lose!!!

Andrea Dietrich May 10, 2017 at 6:33 PM AHA, another teacher!!! What do YOU teach? We were required to provide syllabi for all our classes until everything became so standardized at our school that students just know how it's done now by rote. If they goof up, they are out of luck!! I know how annoying THIS one is!! Awesome job. Agnes Krampe May 10, 2017 at 6:56 PM I teach physics at a university. Mostly to engineering students (large class), and another, smaller class to biology majors.

Daniel Turner May 10, 2017 at 8:36 AM I tried to always work ahead, just in case. But then again, i made good grades:) Love the humor, Mrs Agnes. Agnes Krampe May 10, 2017 at 8:49 AM Oh great, you're back!!!! Thanks for stopping by, Daniel. I hope things are well in your family.

Kim Rodrigues May 10, 2017 at 7:30 AM It's raining snowflakes...lol! I remember flying erasers, notebooks thrown, ripped up papers (in 4th grade because they weren't neat enough. LOL...love it! Good Luck! Teachers have to be tough! Agnes Krampe May 10, 2017 at 7:40 AM But this is college and the kids are adults! I even give them a *quiz* over the syllabus as an incentive to read it. Alas....

Anne-Marie Coreggia May 10, 2017 at 6:14 AM My goodness Agnes you described so well the world I just left behind. And I had a blast because your fun and clever poem captured the reality of that world to a T; and that aspect of it my friend, I do not miss in the least:) Amitiés Anne-Marie Coreggia May 11, 2017 at 8:13 AM I used to teach French (and Spanish for a couple of years only). Agnes Krampe May 10, 2017 at 6:35 AM Thanks, Anne-Marie. Were you a teacher? What did you teach?

White Wolf May 9, 2017 at 7:10 PM This made me smile, Agnes! bringing back all those old memories of when I never listened to the teachers! And yes, it definitely annoyed them! Best of luck to you! Agnes Krampe May 9, 2017 at 7:46 PM Thanks, White Wolf :)

Chris Green May 9, 2017 at 4:58 PM That would definitely annoy me...I just have employees who don't listen and can't follow the rules. This was fun Agnes. Agnes Krampe May 9, 2017 at 7:46 PM Oh, that would annoy me, too, Chris.

Jan Allison May 9, 2017 at 4:47 PM I am sure many teachers can relate and the sad thing is Agnes they are dealing with young adults not little children who need more guidance! Hugs janxx Agnes Krampe May 9, 2017 at 7:46 PM Thanks, Jan. yes, pretty much all my friends have the same lament :)