This week's practicum work was interesting. End of the quarter was bringing out the hecticness in the classroom. Students have to meet a certain quota in their reading counts program in order to receive credit. They are required to read 3 books and then pass 3 tests ( a passing grade is 6/10) before the quarter is over. Majority of the class had passed no or 1 test. As I was looking at the gradebook, multiple thoughts were running through my head. First of all, why is it so difficult for everyone to pass these tests? Something must not be clicking with these kids. Is it an issue of motivation? But then I got to thinking, maybe these kids don't have the skills to understand the content of what they read. Right now, they are so focused on trying to figure out what each word says and means, that they cannot remember what they read. My teacher often times says, "poor (insert name here), they just try so hard, but they can't get it." I think I'm going to bring this up with him this week as a suggested lesson. I would even help him prepare it! I want to see these kids succeed. I had to help a lot of students with their quizzes. I sat next to them with the book they read and would find the entry from which the question was derived and help them find the answer. Needless to say, they passed with the extra help!
Another thing I would like to bring up is how troubled I am by the students' outside lives. Some of these kids are really, really smart. I have one student who is so eager to read Harry Potter in his free time, yet has a C- average. I found side conversations of the 6th graders are talking about beer sometimes, which absolutely shocks me. They face issues of teen pregnancy, gangs, drugs, alcohol.... I can understand why it is hard for them to focus in school. But what can I do about it as a teacher? I'm in need of some advice! I want to help my students so bad.
No comments:
Post a Comment