AboutSonia Expertise I`m Computer Science teacher and can help in improving new lesson plans implementing project - based lessons in transition countries. I can try to answer your questions about educational topics concerning MS Office, Internet searching, problem oriented lessons as well as lesson plans and strategies for teachers` teaching of new technologies. I can help with your homework in English, Croatian and Italian.
Experience Experience: 11 yrs high school Computer Science teacher 5 yrs System engineer and Information specialist in the university library
Organizations: Business School
Education: B.Sc. Electrical Engineering from University of Zagreb, Croatia, Course of Telecommunication and Informatics Licenced Information Specialist, DIALOG Certificate for Information Retreival Librarian State Exam Computer Science Teacher, Degree from University of Rijeka, Croatia, Faculty of Pedagogy
Question I was a stay-at-home mom for a number of years and decided to return to
school to become a teacher. This is my second year teaching
English/Language Arts to 9th and 10th grade students. I have a ninth period
class that has been diffcult for me to navigate the entire year. Most of the
students are great, but about five (girls) use the slightest excuse to talk, are
sometimes disrespectful and at that time of day, the littlest interruption can
cause the entire class to explode into private discussions.
I found that unless I am very stern, never smile, and rarely even let kids go
the bathroom, nothing gets done. The day before a four day weekend I'm
quizzing them on To Kill a Mockingbird and giving them thirty pages to read
over the weekend. Many of the students are not engaged, do not care about
the material and don't even want to participate in the "fun" activies I've
planned with my other students, such as parties. This experience causes me
to question my teaching, and even if I should be a teacher.
So my question is, when are you too hard on students? I try not to give them
too much homework, but if I don't quiz them every day most of the kids don't
do the work. Some of the students are doing better as a result, but one girl
told me I was mean and her friend muttered to her she couldn't wait until
next year. I hate being this way, and each day ninth period I feel as though
I'm doing something wrong, but I'm not sure what.
Can you tell me what to do?
Answer Dear Kerry,
as a matter of fact you are NOT doing anything wrong and you are trying to do everything that is possible to make those children learn something that will be so called permanent knowledge (not only knowledge to fill a test). And that's exactly what is wrong (according to their opinion). I am working at school 15 years (without a break) teaching Computer Science students of 16-18 age (it is I think the same grades as 9th and 10th in your country). I have never ever had problems with motivation, discipline or learning of this subject (because EVERYONE or almost everyone likes computers and want to learn). But these last years I started to ask myself am I getting older (and not knowing how to aproach those kids) or my knowledge of computers gets less attractive (not possible with all those online and other courses I have attended). And I have talk to other my collegueas but we have concluded that those generations of kids (1992 ahead) is something we have to cope with. You were probably at home some years (3-4) and it is exactly what have happened. You remembered a kids who liked to go to school, whose parents were deliberate in cooperation with teachers (and believe them when teacher said that kid has to do and learn more) and now times are changed. Everyone means school sucks - who needs it. The most kids are NOT interested in school of any kind, whatever method of learning use.
So my advise is - YOU are not quilty for this athmosphere in class, you are doing a very best I believe. And do it again, but try to ignore the most rude and not-willing students. There are a few students there worth of teaching. So so not take it personally what those kids say (you have your own kids and what THEY say you have to take personally!) and just do your job as you did until now - you are doing a good job and students who likes and want to learn will appreciate your work.
I hope I have made you easier your job knowing that somewhere far away as Croatia is from you teachers have the same problems. The world is a global village afterall...
Best regards from Croatia
Sonja Bulesic Milic, M.Sc.E.Eng.
Computer Science Teacher
Business Vocational School
