Bill, I am often at my desk at 4:30PM trying to find answers to the same questions that are troubling you. My lowest group of ninth graders wants points, so they can pass my class and not have to go to summer school, but they could care less about learning. It is difficult to find things they care about, though I have found that they love to hate characters (Clel Waller in Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen, and the principal in Nothing But the Truth by Avi). They have been in special reading classes so long that not only do they no desire to overcome their deficits, I don't think they have the courage to try. I hope your kids are just an anomaly. Any word on the upcoming class? Hopefully you will have willing participants. I ran into one of my students from three years ago who was so disconnected that I was certain he learned nothing from me all year. He is now a senior (in our in-school alternative program) and is on their honor roll. He greeted me with bright eyes, a warm smile, and a hug. Hopefully, you are planting seeds that others will sew. Linda Reed Kirkwood High School Kirkwood, MO
I've taught art, music, film, literature, history, science, everything and anything, but they lack basic skills and understanding. _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list [email protected] To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
