My shriveling backbone

Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
My shriveling backbone
18
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 7:15pm

Before you all jump on me, this has nothing to do with dating!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-16-2006
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 8:18pm

Well, curving the grades could be considered preparing them for college, if my professors didn't curve grades I would have never made it out of calc 1. Maybe yoour students need a good ole catholic student beatdown, break out the yardstick and start slapping some hands. What subject are you teaching your students and how old are they?

Tom

Avatar for cl_shywon
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Registered: 03-20-2003
Wed, 04-11-2007 - 8:29pm

They're in third grade.

Avatar for cfk_3
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Registered: 05-14-1999
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 12:55pm
Third grade was when I starting hating math. I enjoyed it up to that point. I feel for all involved here. Do you think they care? Do you think their parents care? Do you even have a guess? I guess it can be hard to tell sometimes. Surely your all day math lesson helped some of them.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-01-2005
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 4:29pm

I'm glad you put your foot down. There is way too much coddling of children these days. Sometimes the best lesson a person can learn - at any age - comes as the result of failing something. Failure, or less than stellar performance, gives them the opportunity to: 1) realize that not everything in life is free, and 2) it is actually possible to bounce back from a failure and still do well in life and the world. Failing something is not the end of the world.

In many European countries, it's not uncommon for children to repeat grades -- and it doesn't have nearly the same stigma as it does here. The idea is helping the kids actually *learn* somthing rather than just passing them for the sake of ensuring that they go onto to the next grade with their friends.

My sister and two dear friends of mine are teachers. They, like you, refuse to coddle the kids (or the parents). Yes, there is always backlash from the whiny parents who think their kids can do no wrong and should never be told 'no' -- but you are really doing them (both the kids and the parents) a huge favor in the long run by telling them the truth.

The sad fact is, American children are far less prepared for the workforce than their counterparts in most developed countries. It's time we step up the standards. One teacher at a time, and one school at a time, that's actually possible.

Good for you for being one of those teachers, and good for you for starting at an age when it can really matter for a kid.

AJ, enjoying life with C.

Avatar for cl_shywon
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Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 6:54pm

I think the parents care because they know that grades will matter much more in the future.

Avatar for cl_shywon
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Registered: 03-20-2003
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 7:06pm

Thanks, TG.

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-01-2005
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 10:49pm

I'm constantly amazed at the reality that is being a teacher in our society today. Good for you for putting your foot down. Thankfully, if not at home, your students will learn somehow, somewhere that you have to work for what you want in this life. We can't all count on Powerball. :)

I also understand what you mean by growing less tolerant of, ummm, b.s. as you get older. I experience that more and more each year. I don't think it's a bad thing, though. I think you just realize what you do and don't want in your life.

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-07-2003
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 11:44pm

I remember when I was teaching 4th grade, and I had the 'nerve' to give a kid an F in reading. I had all the blank papers to back up his grade, and I waited for the parents to come see me... they never did, even after I called them at 3 am. (hey, they didn't answer the phone any other time.)


But they logged lots of time complaining to the assistant principal about me. So I sent them a letter, with copies of their son's work. I gave them the option of sending him to a different school if they didn't like my style.


Unfortunately, they didn't take me up on the offer.


BTW, I also turned 30 that year. My bull radar was on HIGH, and the tolerance level and the tact level were at NONE.

summer 2010 sig by Tara

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-09-2007
Thu, 04-12-2007 - 11:55pm
Students don't automatically pass grade 3 now do they? Passes with F's? How many F's does it take to fail?
Avatar for cl_shywon
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-20-2003
Fri, 04-13-2007 - 7:46am

I've taught 8 years and never retained a student.

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