So long, farewell . . .

Today was my last day of teaching the rowdy class (unless you count tomorrow, which isn't really teaching since it's a test) ~ I don’t think I hit all the standards for one of the units, but my mentor apparently doesn’t care. He was basically trying to teach to their interests anyway, and since there’s no EOC, I’m not entirely sure the SCOS was his top priority.

I’d like to say I finished with a heartwarming success story of sparking their curiosity in Earth Science. And that my meager attempts at interactive lesson plans engaged my students so well that any disciplinary action was completely obviated. That’s not exactly what happened; in fact, sometimes I think I’m returning the class back to him in a much more chaotic state than when I entered, although he’s far too nice to agree with me. At least I had the chance to try out several activities and teach a few units. My students may not have learned anything, but I know I did, and it ended up being good Praxis preparation, if nothing else. One thing that seems appealing about block schedule became apparent through this class: if you get a challenging class, it’s only one semester . . . and that speaks to a student’s perspective as well. If they truly hate science (as much as it pains me to accept that reality), they only have to put up with it for a few months instead of an entire year. I’m looking forward to being able to observe my mentor with this class again ~ I think I have a different perspective after being in his shoes for awhile. And even though they test me, they occasionally offer endearing comments like, "You mean, you're not going to teach us anymore? Do you realize what this is going to do to us?" Actually, yes. It may be the best thing that ever happens to you academically, having a real teacher again.

Honestly, when I stop to think about it, I can begin to understand why many of my students aren't all that motivated to learn science. Given what I know about some of their lives, school is more like an escape from reality, whether that reality involves deadbeat parents, family members dying of AIDS, gang-inspired behaviors, assault charges, terminal cancer diagnoses, apartment fires, or all of these wrapped up into one happy life. Many of them have already dealt with more in their 15-18 years of life than I'll probably ever face in my lifetime. With that in mind, I can see why they're more interested in talking to their friends and text-messaging and sleeping in class than in listening to a teacher or doing their work. They don't really need to learn the photosynthesis reactions or characteristics of chordates; they need survival skills, healthy coping mechanisms, and a shred of hope that life isn't always going to be so dismal. While I may not be able to get all of them to "buy in" to the idea of school, I can at least try to be positive and help them discover their own strengths and possibilities.

I’m a little miffed at the weather report. Every time I plan for an outdoor lab, it rains. Granted, it’s not Wednesday yet, and it might not be soggy & wet, but I was really looking forward to this Animal Behavior activity. I think my kids have spring fever, and they’d welcome the chance to venture outside as much as I would. Ah well … there’s always Plan B.