No Sympathy

[lokiofasgard]

So my seniors had a week to work in groups on a presentation on the books they read. A full week. Today, the supposed start of these presentations, only one group had their presentation ready. And it was a fairly creative one at that (very Pollock-esque). When I asked the other groups why they weren't prepared, this was the general response

Comments

[ingwe_vanyarin]

Having just read this post + all your recent posts, I would love to attend your class.

[lokiofasgard]

i think you'd enjoy it a lot. my retorts to some of the things kids say would leave you laughing for days

[lokiofasgard]

students=pwned

miss you!

[nashiitashii]

I'm glad that you are not being too forgiving with them on this, as, well, they're going to need to learn pretty soon that deadlines mean something whether they're headed straight to a job or to college. Considering the information you've given us via the conversation, they had ample time to collaborate, and the "well, [group member that's missing] has our work!" isn't a valid excuse at all.

By the way, how much technology does your school have? I don't recall public schools being that techno-fabulous when we were high schoolers.

[lokiofasgard]

when Chiles HS was built, they set aside a substantial amount of the budget for technology (one of the reasons we'll be an engineering academy next year). we have a mobile laptop lab (i love using computers in a classroom rather than having to go to a designated lab), 3 computer labs, and every classroom has a teacher computer with an average of two student computers. also, every room has a ceiling-mounted projector with a computer station connected through it. we've got smartboards out the wazoo and some other cool gadgets and gizmos.

so yes, technology abounds here at Chiles.

[nashiitashii]

That's really cool, and I'm glad to hear that all that technology funding is not going to waste.

[captotter]

Once again I feel your pain. I had a project on a book due (the book they needed to have bought before December, the project's been assigned for over a month) last week, and this is more or less how it went in all the classes:

Me: Who's got their projects???

Student(s): What fucking project?!?

Me: That project I assigned on [book we're supposedly reading in class] like a month ago.

Student(s): Oh, that. I couldn't do it, Mister.

Me: Why?

Student(s): Couldn't get the book.

Me: Well, the project is sorta worth a whole lot of grades--lots of you could use the boost and it was an easy project.

Student(s): Whatever. Fuck that gay-ass shit.

The End

I really wish I were making this all up.

[lokiofasgard]

where are you teaching??

[captotter]

Ponce de Leon Middle School

8th grade regular level English (with three periods of inclusion--hoorah!)

[lokiofasgard]

i might come visit you next week...i have spring break and will be down in miami