It's district writing assessment time. Oh joy...
During the prep/lunch period (at the continuation high school, one prep period is considered lunch), the counselor came in to deliver three writing assessments for students in the next period. She pointed out one, mentioned the boy by name, and said he really needed to work on this in class. Okay, then.
The next period arrived. I passed out the writing assessments. The boy had turned on his computer and had Krunker going. (This is the game of the moment at that school.) I realized he was the one the counselor had told me about. (I'm slow with names, but at a certain point I realize who is who.) I handed him his assessment.
"I'm not doing this today."
Me: "Ms. D said you need to write this."
"No, I talked to Ms. D. She said I don't have to do this today as I'm leaving at 1:55. I'll do it tomorrow."
Me: "That's about a half hour away. You have plenty of time to start."
And around it went. He wasn't having any of it. He was going to play his game.
Of course, on my way out, I ran into Ms. D. I told her all about what the boy had not done in class. (The principal was there, too.) She confirmed that she had told him to start writing the essay. Apparently, he doesn't realize I talk to people at the school.
Deep sigh. There's a whole lot of apathy and not doing any work going on at the continuation high school right now. We'll see if they get any more motivated the closer they get to their projected graduation date.
No wonder we're lagging other countries in our math and science. I'm sure we're behind in our ability to express ourselves in the written word, too. Sighing out here.
ReplyDeleteThe question is, will anything be done about it?
ReplyDeleteBummer, we didn't get to play video games at school...
*shakes head*
ReplyDeleteMy sentiments exactly.
DeleteThat would be hard to deal with apathy. How can you get them to realize their choices now impact their life tomorrow.
ReplyDeletebetty
Hi Liz - if only they would realise they need to learn before they leave school ... but more importantly they need to realise that they need to educate themselves ... and playing games doesn't fall into that category ... learning something and do something new every day - challenge oneself. I do hope things can change for the kids of today - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteJust wait until Ms. D gets a hold of him.
ReplyDeleteWhen games become more important than reality. Haven't we seen a few movies lately warning about this? :)
ReplyDeleteYup. But I don't think they got the message.
DeleteI know that how difficult to be teacher now.
ReplyDeleteHave a great October
Thanks.
DeleteSuch lack of motivation...
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteYou always seem to handle situations involving students who aren't keen on doing their work well.
ReplyDeleteProbably because I self-select. I don't tend to write about the times I screw up badly.
DeleteSchool does draw out the apathy in people... I don't know how they can think you'll let them get away with it. They haven't yet realized that actions have consequences.
ReplyDeleteI don't even know why they continue to try to help these kids!
ReplyDeleteBecause some of them do make use of the opportunity. I don't often write about them. They don't make for good stories.
DeleteJust like our characters in our stories need motivation, so do people in real life!
ReplyDeleteYup.
DeleteHe will be a future Credit Counselling client....they don’t listen either
ReplyDeleteI can see it.
DeleteSo if Krunker is the latest thing I guess it will soon hit our shores. Great.
ReplyDeleteIt's online, so it's already hit your shores. Sorry.
DeleteWhen I read about your adventures in teaching I have to ask, “are there any kids graduating from schools these days”? Seriously what is their issues? I was not a big fan of school, being the social butterfly I was I thought I was there to have fun and make friends, but I still had mom at home that made sure I kept grades up...and she did it with just by being sure that she instilled the knowledge that my ass was in a lot of trouble if I did not do my work. Kids and that “knowledge”has changed so much over the yrs. Course non parenting has added to the issue also. Wow, I could not do what you do....I would explode!
ReplyDeleteKeep in mind the kiddos I talk about make good stories. Students who do their work don't usually make for good stories.
DeleteOh and thanks for the info on the blue pumpkins
ReplyDeleteWait. You talk to the teachers? Say it isn't so! 😂
ReplyDeleteShocking, I know ;)
DeleteA procrastinator in the making.
ReplyDeleteIt's interesting how teens think teachers won't talk to subs about what's going on. Maybe it's just a life lesson we all need to learn at that age.
ReplyDeleteI guess so.
DeleteDon't they realise it won't go away?
ReplyDelete