As in "I'm a (fill in cuss word of your delight) FAILURE as a teacher. I can not command these girls interest.
I thought; have each girl bring in an article of her choice, we would read and discuss, and learn.
Ha! Only three girls brought in their articles and two weren't even a whole page in length! One wasn't even really an article from a paper; just a page dedicated to a girls cat.
I was so frustrated, but I tried to do my best and FAILED! FAILED! FAILED!!!
I was boring, as reported to me by one girl (who also quoted a friend---one of the two brought in the shortest article, and the other never bothered.) ARGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
So, now I switched; maybe I should have gone with my first instinct and read the book in class and assigned work based on the book, but that is out.
We are going to do an newspaper; a class newspaper. The girls will get to decide what goes in to the paper (only local or school news, or world news) the layout and who gets what job (jobs will be switched around).
And I know everyone is going to groan and make noise and complain
I'm just not cut out to be a teacher.
No social skills; that's me. And I am not very commanding. And don't think I'd make a very commanding figure if I came to work with an Uzi hanging across my chest and killer spelled out on my knuckles.
(sigh)
I'm good at ideas though. Anyone want some ideas? 20 shek a pop! (That's about 4$)
Dont be so hard on yourself. You have the most important part down pat. You care and your trying your best. It will come. Keep trying and give time a chance to work out. My wife homeschools and I have a 3 yr old whom can write her name.(and mine :) Her dad(me) has a degree and can barely spell. I have a wonderful wife and yet she has some of the same difficulties you do. She is smarter than I in so many ways yet she has a problem commanding. I would not trade tit for tat for all of the world. I love her as she is. She is a more than qualified woman and I assume(by your writings) that you are as well. Just keep up and it will all be fine.
Lane
Posted by: Lane at November 11, 2004 01:23 PMDon't be so hard on yourself....I think the age of these girls has something to do with. It's a hard age. I think the newspaper is a great idea and I bet you find them enjoying doing it more and more as you go on.
Posted by: Deb at November 11, 2004 01:35 PMWhy is it that everyone says girls are harder to deal with? But I hear it over and over again.
I really like that newspaper idea. That is going to be fun I think.
And don't be so hard on yourself! One step at a time.
Posted by: aithne at November 11, 2004 02:35 PMStop doubting yourself and get tough.
You want to them to bring an article. Call that waht it is: an assignment. If they fail to do an assignment, they fail.
You are the teacher. If you give the idea that their effort is optional, they won't put any in.
The best teachers I have ever had were never afraid to tell me exactly what I needed to do to learn.
Posted by: John Rogers at November 12, 2004 01:55 PM