urgency and my students

My students all tend to have an exaggerated sense of urgency concerning their desires.  They aren't very patient little people.  Sometimes, though, I think they complain just for the fun of it.

Generally, this sort of behavior amuses me as well.  One of my favorite student whining scenes takes place when I do not have the classroom doors unlocked and they want to get in.  They'll flatten themselves against the glass doors and yell desperately, "Teacher!  Open the door!  Open the door, Teacher!"  There is usually at least five minutes left before class is supposed to start when they do this, so it's not like the situation is as dire as they make it out to be.  Even if it were ten minutes after the class bell, it wouldn't matter because I am their teacher, and if I lock them out intentionally, clearly I wouldn't mark them late.  Anyhoo, this all leads me to think that I should lock them out more often just for fun.

The most common instance of whining, though, has to do with the summer heat.  The first thing my kids say when they walk into the room these days is, "Teacher!  Air con!"  to which I reply, "Students!  'Air con' - Air conditioner.  'Teacher, please turn on the air conditioner.'  I turned on the air conditioner.  It will be cold soon.  Wait."  Then, throughout class, some will beg for it to be turned up, others will want it turned off.  I am thinking about letting one of my classes roast next week as punishment for being downright obnoxious regarding the temperature of the room (among other things, ha.)  We'll see - I'm not sure that I want to punish myself and my co-teacher to that extent yet.