AP Calculus. Their teacher was out all week (death in the family). Spring break was the following week.
Their assignment: "Redo all AP review packets, each chapter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 do half notes and chapter test reviews."
As that was gibberish to me, I copied it exactly to the board. The students saw the assignment and groaned.
They explained. This was a huge assignment. It was even bigger than the one their teacher had given them over Christmas break. They were certain that the assignment was not just for the week their teacher was out, but that it was also their spring break homework. (I emailed the teacher and got confirmation that this was the case.)
So, responsible AP students that they were, they got right to work. Right?
Of course not. They spent the week playing cards.
Deep sigh.
"Cheater, cheater, pumpkin eater."
I'm not sure what game they were playing. Something where they slam down on a card. And one boy used that refrain over and over and over again.
I have this image of them. Sunday, April 7th. 11 PM. Frantically copying notes.
They have no one to blame but themselves.
(To be fair, about half the class was working. And one girl even got the whole assignment finished on Thursday.)
Wednesday, April 3, 2013
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I could never be a substitute teacher. Heck, who am I kidding? I could never be. Teacher. PERIOD. If I were a student in that class I know I would have put that time to could use! And not by playing cards! ;)
ReplyDeleteI'm considering substitute teaching; I believe there's always a demand? Must be tough, though, stepping into someone else's shoes.
ReplyDeleteOh yes, there's always a demand. Some days are easier than others.
DeleteThat sounds like a pretty brutal assignment. I hate teachers who assign work over breaks. They'd pitch fits if they had to work over their vacations, and these are just kids, AP Calc or not.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't feel too badly either if they spent all that class time goofing off. I remember trying to get all my work done during school so I wouldn't have to bring it home.
ReplyDeleteOh, kids ... I have a third grader, and I tell you I could never be a teacher. Can barely deal with one. :)
ReplyDeleteTeachers are little gods to me. So patient!
Silvia @ Silvia Writes
Not so patient. Just very good at pretending to be.
DeleteYep, they can't blame anyone else for their slackery!
ReplyDeleteTrue. And if they were the sorts of students who wouldn't eventually get the assignment done, I would have ridden them more.
DeleteBut, I know these kids. They assignment will get done. Eventually.