A Quote to Start Things Off

""I'd love to go to Santa Fe at some point, Emmett said, but for the time being, I need to go to New York. The panhandler stopped laughing and adopted a more serious expression. Well. that's life in a nutshell, aint it. Lovin' to go to one place and havin' to go to another. Amor Towles in the Lincoln Highway.

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Pictures of Memories I

Pictures of Memories I
Snow kidding! These "kids" now range from 17 to 23

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Unbelievable (No Child Left Ahead)

I recently received the following e-mail from a college friend who is employed as a school psychologist (She's also my wife, but I digress):

Dave,

Here's a post idea for your blog:

I was observing in a middle school social studies classroom today. After talking about the topic, students were instructed to read the chapter and take Cornell notes (a specific note taking system.) One student sat there quietly looking at his book. The teacher asked him, “Why aren’t you working?” He said, “I did it yesterday.” She said, “Why?” indignantly. He said, “I was bored.” She said, “Don’t do that again, it messes everything up! Go to the Internet and take the quiz then.” The student spent the next 30 minutes unsuccessfully trying to sign on to a website and take the quiz. He asked the teacher for help several times. Each time she responded, “Don’t do this to me again. Do not work ahead.” She would not help him sign on. She repeatedly reprimanded him for working ahead in the chapter. What do you think this student learned?
Love,
Amy

Thanks for sharing that Amy. That teacher was probably upset that students were getting in the way of her teaching. I recognize myself in that teacher. Having all these great things I want to teach my kids and getting very frustrated when my children get in the way of that. Seeing my foibles demonstrated by someone is very instructive on how to handle such a situation when it comes up again.

Check out other Home School Blogs at this weeks edition of the Carnival of Home Schooling hosted this week at About.com bt clicking here.

Next Time: A Simple Plan

5 comments:

jugglingpaynes said...

Hello! Nice to "meet" you!

We have a comic strip on our refrigerator. It pictures a fish who is talking, followed by three smaller fish, who are being followed by a shark.
The fish is saying, "No, we can't swim faster! The school curriculum is geared for the slower swimmers, so the ten of you have to wait for the others to catch up..."
The caption says, "Reality vs. Theory..."

I've always been amazed when I hear stories of teachers being upset when kids try to read ahead. I love it when my kids take the initiative like that!

Thanks for your comment. Let me know if you need suggestions for the Pirate/Star Wars Clone Wars curriculum. :o)

Peace and Laughter,
Cristina

AmyR said...

I know everyone can't homeschool, and I've observed many wonderful teachers, but this took the cake....poor kid!

Marbel said...

Kind of a sad story, really.

Unknown said...

I remember a high school computer class where I had perfect scores on all homework and all tests and ended up with a D because I worked ahead. I lost all interest in school after that until college.

Dana said...

I look forward to the day when my oldest (age 7) will take the initiative in his education. May we all learn a lesson from this teacher.

Dana @ oursunnyside

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