Posted on 09/04/2007 6:11:12 PM PDT by A_perfect_lady
Won't work. America tried that in the '50s, '60s, and '70s. All that happens is that the place you run to ends up getting ruined.
Stand and fight for the cities!
Wow, I could have written this a few years ago my self. I spent 5 1/2 yrs getting a history/education certification degree and taught 2 yrs in a NJ high school. I had a horrible experience, and I was 51 at the time. I shudder to think what this country will be like when these sorts are out in the real world. I was very discouraged with teaching. Good luck with you. The only fun I had was monitoring the hallway and asking boys if they had washed their hands when they came from the bathroom. It was amazing how many felt obliged to show me their clean hands.
And this really cute litle girl broke in excitedly, "The first time you go bowling!!"
And she wasn't kidding, her face lit up like she was just floating with happiness. It was pretty funny. We all looked at her like, "Um, yes, Michelle, exactly. I guess."
That is correct.
However, I was married to a schoolteacher for 25 years. Both of her parents were schoolteachers for 30+ years, and her 3 siblings were schoolteachers for 25+ years.
Believe me, I have heard it all.
You didn’t tell me you worked in hell? I swear I remember you told me your were a school teacher. ;-)
[sarcasm on]
The root cause of your problems is that you are trying to be a sage on the stage instead of a guide from the side. The research shows that all your classroom problems will be solved with the following surefire methods:
1) Put them in mixed ability groups at tables. No desks. Proximity promotes shared learning.
2) Stop giving lectures. Stop speaking from the front of the room. Stay on the sidelines like a coach.
3) Allow the students to reach inside and “discover” literature. Allow them to discover grammer, style, spelling and usage as well.
4) Let the room become noisy. talking is a good thing. It means they are sharing knowledge.
5) Allow the students to assess themselves.
60 Allow ipods. It helps the creative process.
[sarcasm off]
If you can go through this every day and take the time to write about, I can certainly take the time to read it. No need to thank me. But it is surely depressing.
I live in the district and should not be surprised. Let me tell you, you are up against more than Sisyphus was, because not only are the children spoiled but the parents are too.
Perhaps it is worth it to teach the few bright, eager pupils you have in your charge, but the “subject matter” stinks to high heaven. I’m sorry, LAUSD is hopeless, they trip over each other for the PC Prize. I’m surprised the schools even still display the U.S. flag and have the Pledge.
Maya Angelou... just the mention of that name is like fingernails on a chalkboard.
You are a far better woman than I am. I wouldn’t be able to take it, and I think the faculty meetings would be the last straw.
P.S. Would love to see this published in the L.A. Times!!
ROFL...
If you were literate, someone might pay attention....
Back when I was going to school,only the top students took higher level Science or Math classes like Physics and Intermediate Algebra.
Now,these classes,watered down greatly,are required for graduation in most urban districts.
And 75% of the kids haven’t the slightest idea of the subject matter and are failing right and left.
“Believe me, I have heard it all.”
Oh, I’m just sure you have.
Most parents I meet are incredibly soft on their kids. Just today I spoke with a woman who noted sadly that every night she urges her son to read, but he won't because he only wants to play PSP.
And I'm thinking of my step-dad, who would tell us once "Go clean your room," and we would drop, and I mean DROP what we were doing and scuttle up to our rooms like cockroaches. Because if we didn't, he'd have warmed our butts without hesitation. Parents today coo at their children, "Why don't you do your homework?" and if the child doesn't want to, they walk away and shrug.
It is good therapy isn’t it?
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