My shriveling backbone
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My shriveling backbone
| Wed, 04-11-2007 - 7:15pm |
Before you all jump on me, this has nothing to do with dating!
| Wed, 04-11-2007 - 7:15pm |
Before you all jump on me, this has nothing to do with dating!
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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
They're in third grade.
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.
I think the parents care because they know that grades will matter much more in the future.
Thanks, TG.
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.
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.
I've taught 8 years and never retained a student.
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