It was only the second week of school, so call outs are light. And, they're unplanned, so I wasn't shocked that the lesson plans were rather sparse. While I could have had them go on to the next section (math class, so the next section was about exponents), enough of them were still working on the polynomial section that I didn't feel it necessary.
I did my usual walk around. Several students had finished the assignment. One boy had two assignments on his desk. One complete and one not.
As it wasn't a test, I didn't mind them working together. And, if a student wanted to check his work against a neighbor's, I didn't have an issue with that. But these were not simple problems, and the boy appeared to just be copying his neighbor's work...
I asked the usual question. The boy said he understood the assignment. Okay, fine. "Explain how you do this to me," I challenged.
He hemmed and hawed. But not for too long. Pretty quickly he relented and admitted that he didn't understand how to do the assignment.
Okay, then. I can help with that.
I don't think they get how bored I am when they don't need my help.
And besides, they can copy the answers to the assignment, but this practice thing isn't going to be graded. And if they don't figure out how to do it during the practice, they won't have any idea what they're doing when it's time to take the test.
I think that's a lesson some of them are going to have to learn for themselves.
Yeah, that's a tough one to get through. It's not a matter of having the right answer, but actually getting how to get there. It gives me something to think about with my own kids (though they're still in preschool and second grade).
ReplyDeleteIt might not be an issue with your kids. Time will tell.
DeleteYeah it's better to actually learn the content than copy, especially when test time rolls around!
ReplyDeleteYes, especially this stuff. It can't be faked on a test.
DeleteSadly that is a hard lesson for many of them. My granddaughter included!!
ReplyDeleteI know. And they get so incensed when I call them on it.
DeleteYes, it's a hard leson to learn.
ReplyDeleteIt is.
DeleteUgh, polynomials. You should tell him he has to learn them or otherwise he won't be able to do anything that comes later on in math.
ReplyDeleteNo, wait. Don't tell him that.
I am sure that teachers over the ages have been dealing with a lot of issues like this but to me, it seems to have gotten and worse. A challenge to you as a teacher.
ReplyDeleteBeing able to Google everything has made it harder. But easier for teachers to catch (if they are so inclined).
DeleteI remember that I wouldn't copy but I would sit there and pretend. When the teacher asked me if I understood, I remember saying I did because I was terrified for being bullied after class by the other students.
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry. That sucks.
DeleteIt was good that he quickly relented and realized he should admit the truth that he didn't understand the assignment. Hopefully by the end of you helping him, he did?
ReplyDeletebetty
Do you know if he understood the assignment by the end of the class? I know some kids who will fake understanding just so the teacher (or sub, in this case) will leave them alone.
ReplyDeleteProbably not. I tried, but his heart really wasn't in it.
DeleteHi Liz ... I used to be quite good at maths - now definitely not so ... school can be challenging in so many ways - an empathetic teacher would help hugely ... cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how boring it can get for you.
ReplyDeleteSome days it does. I've learned to bring stuff to do with me for those days when I'm just monitoring the class.
DeleteClassrooms are hard, everyone going at such different rates.
ReplyDeleteThis is true. School really needs to be overhauled to work better for all students.
DeleteBless you. That's all I can add. I'm thankful to be out of school and the work force.
ReplyDeleteIf only they knew how easy they have it, eh?
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ReplyDeleteTrue.
DeleteOh yes, the lessons we have to learn through experience. I can write an entire book on that, as can almost all of us who are way into our adult years. Alana rmamblinwitham.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteYup. Of course, trying to tell a teen that... Some have to learn this the hard way.
DeleteI sort of sympathise with him because I am a dummy when it comes to maths. Anything past grade 5 (eleven year olds) and I get confused!
ReplyDeleteHe could have totally asked for help. There was a boy seated next to him that could have worked with him on it.
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