Last week we started our annual state testing. (This week we'll finish it up.) I explained the schedule on Wednesday. As I mentioned yesterday, what this meant for me was that I had two hours of "free" time to get some things accomplished. Which meant some things got done that I might not have gotten to otherwise...
Before spring break, the eleventh grade classes did a whole lot of anticipatory stuff for reading The Great Gatsby. We talked about the 1920s. They read about the author, F. Scott Fitzgerald. And they had a couple videos to watch.
I had them take notes. And then I gave them points for taking the notes (mostly because I expected that they'd ignore the material and spend the time on their phones if I didn't). Or, rather, I gave them points for the first day of notes, but for the rest of them I wasn't going to bother. Because it was practically spring break.
Thursday. Jocelyn had to go home early. She came to class briefly to find out what the assignment was going to be. She got the title of the video so she could watch it and turn in the notes so she wouldn't miss any assignments.
I would have told her not to bother, but she did this so fast. Mostly, what I was concerned about was that the video, a biography on F. Scott Fitzgerald, briefly discussed The Great Gatsby including how it ended. This part I skipped over while showing it in class (as we didn't want spoilers before reading the book), but how did I explain this to Jocelyn?
When I wrote last week's blog post mentioning the video, I looked it up, searching for it rather than clicking on the link Ms. A left. And, surprisingly, the first video to pop up on YouTube is without spoiler. Someone edited it out! Meaning, Jocelyn most likely saw the version without the spoiler. Big Whew!
Then, on Friday, during eighth period, I informed them they'd need to take notes...
Evan: "I'm not going to take notes. You're not going to grade them."
Yeah, so now I have to grade them.
So, when all this time opened up this week, the first thing I did was to grade all the notes from before spring break.
Because, seriously? I'm pretty easy going most of the time, but when someone challenges me like that? Don't tell me I'm not going to do something. I will so do that thing.
"Don't tell me I'm not going to do something. I will so do that thing." That is so funny!
ReplyDeleteHe engaged my stubborn. They really shouldn't engage my stubborn.
Deletelol
DeleteGood on you for holding the kids accountable for the notes – sometimes it's necessary!
ReplyDeleteSometimes it is.
DeleteI've never read the Great Gatsby.
ReplyDeleteIf you're wanting to read some famous works, this one should go on your list.
DeleteIt’s a great book
DeleteEvan is his own worst enemy! ;)
ReplyDeleteHe so is. And I actually like him. He could have sweet-talked me about this. But no.
DeleteGood for you! :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha Evan really asked for that one! Glad Jocelyn dodged the spoiler—love when surprise free time actually gets stuff done.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice.
DeleteThose students who read your blog must be amused frequently.
ReplyDeleteStudents don't read my blog. I don't tell them it exists. And I can guarantee that no one went to look for it.
DeleteWhen someone challenges me....I inwardly sigh, "Really? You had to go there? Now I must do what I have to do." Kids do that a lot, but so do adults.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I think we all do.
DeleteI so get that. Learn to keep your mouth shut and not challenge someone like that. lol
ReplyDeleteYou'd think they know this, but nah.
DeleteEvan, file that under "F around and find out". Life lesson: Don't engage teachers' stubborn.
ReplyDeleteYou'd really think he would know this.
DeleteGood for you!!!! Kids, gosh, don't want to do anything if they don't think it counts. If it doesn't count, its useless, I guess, in their minds.
ReplyDeleteExactly.
Delete