It's the last day of break and I really don't want to go back to school. Actually, I just don't want to attend one class - I can't say "teach", since I can't really say that I teach that class. I'm pretty sure that they have learned nothing during this year... certainly, there has been no improvement in their writing, grammar or reading skills.
Eight months into the school year, they still cannot summarize anything they've read. Nor do they know the difference between summarize and paraphrase. Unless the answer is basically written out in the text, they cannot answer questions about anything they've read. Not that it matters since everything printed is "stupid" and "gay". After 8 months, only one out of 35 can tell me what a thesis sentence is (and I'm pretty sure he/she already knew) or why any supporting detail is needed in writing. If you asked, the best answer would be "'cause it's on the WASL". Unless forced, no one will write a complete sentence. Nor will anyone attempt to come up with an answer themselves.
They have learned great patience, as they will sit for over 30 minutes waiting for someone else to give them the answer. In the meantime, three will shout at each other. Two will reapply their make-up (it's first period!) and one will write yet another inane note about his/her sex-life. Two will bicker like a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The rest will just sit and stare off into space.
And I... I will want to scream with frustration and cry in failure of having run out of ideas on how to change it.
Eight months into the school year, they still cannot summarize anything they've read. Nor do they know the difference between summarize and paraphrase. Unless the answer is basically written out in the text, they cannot answer questions about anything they've read. Not that it matters since everything printed is "stupid" and "gay". After 8 months, only one out of 35 can tell me what a thesis sentence is (and I'm pretty sure he/she already knew) or why any supporting detail is needed in writing. If you asked, the best answer would be "'cause it's on the WASL". Unless forced, no one will write a complete sentence. Nor will anyone attempt to come up with an answer themselves.
They have learned great patience, as they will sit for over 30 minutes waiting for someone else to give them the answer. In the meantime, three will shout at each other. Two will reapply their make-up (it's first period!) and one will write yet another inane note about his/her sex-life. Two will bicker like a couple celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. The rest will just sit and stare off into space.
And I... I will want to scream with frustration and cry in failure of having run out of ideas on how to change it.
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