Nobody Wants to Fail

When students consistently don't do the work we ask them to do, it becomes increasingly difficult not to believe they want to fail. Today, after weeks of gentle reminders, offers of extra help session and showing Sam his grade summary, calling home, he asked if I was available after school to catch up on his work. And he came on his own volition! He now has a clear sense of what to do, how to do it and that he can move from a failing grade to passing. Over the past weeks there were times my frustration would show. It felt to me like he was resisting the work for no good reason. I almost gave up trying to offer more opportunities. But I have to remind myself that no student wants to fail, and that Sam's personal situation -living with his grandparents, among other things, means I cannot easily predict when he will be ready or willing to  produce the work. I believe the offer must stand, the door must remain open, and the invitation must continue until such time as the student chooses to move forward.

Unexpected Reversal

Singing in a grade 9 applied French class is not that cool. But I'm doing it anyway. My reason? I believe students can be swayed to do something new and "uncool" when it appeals to different learning styles. Its like drawing out a dormant part of their being. I applied for a grant to get some help from a guest musician and songwriter.  Today, he brought in a track based on the theme of Endangered Species we had worked out a few weeks ago. A student named James ( not his real name ) sat in the back corner. He participated only when he could make loud noises and otherwise seemed detached from the song-making process. Then Jim ( the musician ) promised to hand out a rhythm instrument to the student who could say his/ her lines in time and clearly audible. James came through and got to beat cowbell in perfect time throughout the whole rehearsal! Sometimes trying a completely different type of activity apeals to a whole new set of intelligences ( musical, kinesthetic, for example). It can bring out a level of performance not previously noticed. In terms of the course requirements targeting reading and writing, James performs at a passing grade level only....