What has happened to our kids? What is going on in the United States? Does this happen outside of the US? It doesn't seem so, according to the information we see on Did You Know 2.0. It is not all about fun and games. School is not a circus where the kids are waiting for the pink elephant and the clowns to come out into the center of the ring. Why is it so difficult to instruct our youth? What is it that makes going to school so miserable? It is not all fun and GAMES!
Yes, learning must be engaging, but there has to be a time where instruction is instruction. Well, I am sure you are wondering why the strong feelings? Today for example, I need to teach the students spreadsheets. There are certain things the kids need to know about spreadsheets that are part of the curriculum, that must be taught. I worked on the lesson for a good couple of hours, found a pretty cool site that explained the spreadsheet terminology better than I think I could.. so I think! And I made an online sheet for them to answer some questions and give definitions. They are using their prior word processing skills along with online tools to figure out what the spreadsheet thing is all about. In the past, I have given them each a screen shot of the spreadsheet screen and had them take notes, while I talked in front of the LCD projector. BORING BORING BORING.. So, thinking of the kids, and thinking how they like to use the computer, I created some online learning.
You would think it would be a little more engaging, but NO. It was BORING... so I heard. I don't get it.. How do I answer this question.. I don't understand all of this.. and so on and so on and so on... Some didn't bother to even do it. They decided to just sit there and talk to one another. So, when I noticed their apathy, I gave them a deadline to print out what ever they completed prior to them leaving class for the day. Ahhhh accountability. Boy, did some of them get to work.. others still didn't care. How can they not care? This is technology! This is their future, isn't it?
So, where have I gone wrong. On some days, learning can not be put into an online game. It can not be repackaged into some crazy lesson. Sometimes, you have to sit down, be quiet, listen to the teacher, and just do it. Boy do I sound like a Nike commercial! Just do it...!!
When they get to college (hopefully they do), the teachers are not going to care or even tell them to take notes, show up to class, study for the tests, or even to pay attention. (I know because I used to sit in the halls of UNH and goof off all during my Physics class.. The teacher didn't even know I existed! There were 300 of us! By the By.. not such a good grade in that class!) Talk about accountability.
What are we teaching our kids today? They need to learn that learning is not always a video game, it is not an instant gratification process and yes, sorry, it is sometimes boring. They have to just learn things because they may need to know them for the future. I don't know how to explain to the kids that all that I learned in high school and even college really has nothing to do with anything I do now. It was just a bunch of preparation on how to learn... how to think! Yes, just think! But, that is difficult for our kids for some reason, and I really can't figure out why? Why is it hard for the kids to think on their own, have a voice and an opinion? Figure something out and for goodness sakes.. read the directions? Is that too much to ask .. please read the directions! That is rule number one in my class. Should it have to be written out and posted?
I think I am so upset because I know I have a lot to offer and some days, all that I have and all that I do, is wasted upon them. They don't even realize it, and I know this is the steep slope we all travel, especially at the middle school level.
I always listen to our principal tell us if we can just reach one, we have done our job. Why can't I reach all 300 of them that I teach in a year? Some do not want to listen and some I can not make a break through with. I know I can't save them all or reach them all, but that is my challenge. I am not giving up. I will be back at it again with a refresher and yes, maybe a game to reinforce what the kids learned today. If anything? We will see!
Phew.. I feel better! Anyone have any help for a crazy teacher? :)
2 comments:
Ah, the day in the life of a middle school teacher. I'm so sorry your lesson plan wasn't met with the enthusiasm you wanted. And no they do not understand how this could possibly be of value to them later so it is deemed "boring", just like science, math and whatever. Have you ever read "What Every Middle School Teacher Need's To Know", by Knowlton, a great book indeed. As of do not have the experience you have I will pull my knowledge from my long term sub assignments and especially my experience teaching summer school. You can stand on your head and certain kids just don't give a darn. The question then becomes how do we make them care? It cannot always be fun and silly and exciting in the classroom. It is not you, it is our society, it is how the children are being raised today if they are being raised at all. I'm told you are an exciting teacher who really helped a certain someone's son get through computer apps in high school. You do reach them, you do. He was one of the few to get an A, in of all classes computer applications.... It is in this blog that you show how much you care, try to keep your chin up.
Phew... breathe and don't take it personally! I bet if you did this same lesson on another day, it would be fine. The timing (right before vacation) may not have been perfect.
I think your principal is right, one is better than none. Can the students even understand that you having high expectations for them is your rule of thumb versus what they may have somewhere else?
Thanks for taking the time to teach!
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