Posting for March 20 USA Today Article
As mentioned in the email message, I would like you to read and respond to the USA Today article. Support your opinions with your own personal experiences from stuent teaching and remember to respond to each other. Here is the link:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20060308/cm_usatoday/foronceblamethestudent
posted by Chris @ 9:31 AM
3 comments
3 Comments:
If the link shows up funny...I've added a return so you can see all the text.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/
20060308/cm_usatoday/
foronceblamethestudent
March 13
After reading this article the first thing I wanted to do is blame myself. I did the same thing when I graded my first test. My thought, “It must be me and my teaching.” Then my Psych. Class came in and I began to see things a little differently.
There were kids who missed a test a week ago and Thursday was the scheduled day for the make-up. These kids had an extra week to study and get any notes that they did not have. After grading their tests I realized that all but one of them had taken advantage of that extra week. The sad part is that I reminded them EVERY time I saw them (in the hall or class)!! At that point I realized that their scores were NOT my fault.
On the same day, the kids that did not have to do the make-up read articles and had to answer questions. Most of the students complained and whined because the article was 4 pages long. I actually had 2 students fall asleep during class. I woke them up once, the second time I wrote on their papers, “How was the nap?” I was amazed at how lazy the students are! After all of this in ONE day I have decided that is not my fault if the students choose to be lazy or spend all of their time goofing off.
End Result: I think it is the students…Only question I have is what can fix the problem?
Wow, I am sad from reading your postings. I should have known the article would spark any frustration you have experienced thus far and I think you are all expressing the truth but...I still believe in looking at the glass half full.
I guess I think there is a responsibility on all fronts and I do think teachers can make a difference for most students or at least try. I just can't believe that what we do is not worthy of our best efforts. I think we win more often than we lose.
Maybe it's just important for me to say that we need everyone of you in the professional and believing that you can reach kids. Idealistic, you bet, but I believe it.
Chris
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