Today I hate my job

[azfiddle]

Veronica, so sorry you are coping with a tough class. At least in middle school, it's not a whole day, usually just one hour with a tough group.

I've used some of the Kagan Strategies- it's definitely something my district likes. I don't use it all the time, but it might be the right thing for your class.

[Veronica]

My students are not bad, just very immature and not very bright. I think some of therm are just not ready to connect the dots. I have to keep reminding myself of that. After two days of very intense Kagan use, it seems to be going well. I've always done a little bit, but I pretty much dove right in on Monday using Kagan for nearly everything. I rearranged my room to get a large central space. It means my groups are all right next to each other instead of totally separated, but it's much easier for me to get around to monitor EVERYONE. And the open space will make it easier to do some of the silly games. I've got groups moving to the floor for cooperative work to get a little separation at those times. I think the extra movement is helping them and they like getting to lie down on the floor to work.

They really like the cheers. I need to learn some more.

Veronica

[Crankin]

Extra movement is a good thing.

[Dogmama]

Veronica - I so feel your pain!

I did volunteer work with girls in your age group. The focus was self defense. It was at a boys/girls club. Most girls came from very rough backgrounds. Violence, drugs, cops circling the neighborhood were all standard. I had some girls who really wanted to learn. But about 1/3 of the group were just not capable. No focus, always acting out to get attention, basically just in the class for the free food. I had to take one of them aside and tell her if she didn't stop, she would be expelled from the class.

It was heartbreaking.

Your good news is that your principle seems to understand and backs you up. Plus, haven't you been there like - forever?? So your track record is very good (in many different ways - not just the classroom - pun intended.)

So, take that frustration to your next personal training lesson. And be sure to let us know how many burpees/pushups/whatever you did!

[Veronica]

Sometimes I am so amazed by how lame they are. They had to divide 72 by 2. That kind of a problem is a third grade math standard. These are 4th graders - and I got answers of 2, 4, 8, 9 and 20. Yes, really. I think they weren't actually listening or reading the problem on their paper, just randomly guessing to give an answer. But still...

Veronica

[Dogmama]

Sometimes I am so amazed by how lame they are. They had to divide 72 by 2. That kind of a problem is a third grade math standard. These are 4th graders - and I got answers of 2, 4, 8, 9 and 20. Yes, really. I think they weren't actually listening or reading the problem on their paper, just randomly guessing to give an answer. But still...

Veronica

"Like - wow Dude - math is hard! I need that Stephen Hawkings guy!"

I talked to a junior college teacher who said many of their incoming students are illiterate. So, they take remedial courses to get them up to speed so that they can take the credit courses. BUT, here's the problem: Most are on students loans, some are even on (gasp) credit cards! So, they're taking these classes that in the end, don't give them ANY college credit. And, the majority drop out because they just are not college material. But, they still have the debt.

Don't know if your students are sophisticated enough to understand that - but it's something to consider.

[azfiddle]

How is the cooperative learning working?