teachers... when did you know it was over???

Question

I teach 7th and 8th grade. I teach a remedial reading class, most of the kids in my class this quarter are 8th graders and most of them are on a 4th grade reading level. I've bent over bakwards and have tried all types of things, but they just don't care. They refuse to do the work, they'll just sit there and look off into space. If they do the work they can move rapidly and be on there proper reading level. I've called home to parents and that works for a day or so. My class is considered an elective for these students and they know this, so they don't think that its important. What would your next step be? Would you just say bump it, i've tried and they don't care , or would you continue to push on?what else is there for me to do ?

Answer 1

You've been pushing and pushing. It's not worked. You need a total, complete change of tactics. It's time to start pulling.

First, you need to do some background research. Are you aware that "remedial" programs are proven to have a negative impact on the academic achievement of learners enrolled in those programs? See the article I've referenced below. Terwel writes, "low-achieving students suffer from being in the lower track as compared to experiencing a common curriculum for all." There are two main reasons for this: social stigmas (and consequent self-fulfilling prophecies) implying that students in remedial programs are not capable of doing high-level work, and the fact that students in these programs typically arrive with fewer personal resources (study skills, interpersonal skills, relevant experience, etc.).

I suggest totally rehauling your curriculum, pulling the material and knowledge you're looking for directly from the students. Come into class next Monday and say, "How many of you think this is your favourite class?" Nobody is going to raise their hand. Divide the class into groups and have them brainstorm ideas about what could be done to make this class their favourite. Give them big pieces of paper to make charts- one chart for fantastical ideas, the other for realistic ones. Post the charts on the wall and have groups explain their suggestions. From there, you can ask what you need to do to implement those ideas, as well as what the students need to do. Create a Class Charter outlining communal expectations of the students and yourself.

I'm thinking that some of the following ideas might come up (or you could feed them in):

- more freedom in text selection
- different ways to express their responses to what they've read (art, writing, music, photography, debate, etc.) / this ties into the idea of recognition of multiple intelligences
- ability to work independently or as a group
- freedom to use time as they see fit (so long as it's constructive)
- opportunities to share their work / knowledge with the community or other classes (could they tutor first- or second-graders?)
- recognition of personal achievements like moving from a young adult novel to an adult novel, or reading an entire book in one week

What you're doing isn't working. There's no point in continuing. However, this class can be saved. Discipline isn't the answer - a dynamic, student-centered curriculum is.

Answer 2

I'm not a teacher (I hope that doesn't put you off), but I wanted to throw this in and hope it might give you an idea or something. First: I once had a tae kwon do instructor who, when he was a kid, didn't speak English. He moved to the U.S. and had to learn it, but he always slacked off in school and didn't want to do the work. But, he loved comic books. He would read them constantly and now he speaks perfect English. Maybe hand out a survey, ask your students what they like to read (even if they're just magazines and comic books), and what they'd want to read in school and incorporate them into your lessons. Not to say that you should only put in what they like. I remember 7th and 8th grade--I despised them because the lazy people ruined everything and the teachers pretty much adopted the "oh, you'll be it out my class in a year, so I won't even bother" attitude. I mean, there's got to be someone who really wants to improve, isn't there? Who really wants to learn? Push for that one person at the least. I would have appreciated it. At school now (junior year, high school), the teachers that get the kids to do what they want are the ones that treat us as equals--we'll do the work even if the only reason is to keep that teacher. Those teachers are the ones that constantly ask us what we think, and really get into discussions about what we like/ dislike and why. They've loosened up and look us in the eye. They have us work in groups occasionally (I never really liked group work, but I'll admit it helped me to be more confident with people and we're all teaching each other at the same time). And sometimes we play word games and such. A few of my teachers allow us 10-15 minutes of "free time" at the end of class to do our homework and relax or allow us stretch breaks from time to time, and that helps wake us up. The problem I see with school today is some teachers try to pretty much force the textbooks in our heads, to the point that it's either boring or make us think we're too stupid to learn it anyway and there's no point in learning it. Life skills are ignored far too much, and everything seems to be based on "you'll need this for college".

If all else fails, I would think about moving to teach 4th graders (since they seem to share the same reading level as the students you teach now anyway) and get them active about their own educations then. I love reading and writing,etc. now because my teachers made it appealing to me when I was really young. Or perhaps think about teaching (higher level) high school students, such as honors or AP classes that are really serious about learning the material (not that I'm saying that lower levels aren't as interested--they need help too, but usually you get more slackers and immature people). Don't stuff them with pages and pages of homework every night either, we can't learn like that.

Well, that's my rant for the day, I hope I helped somehow. Good luck and don't give up.

Answer 3

How can a remedial reading class be an elective??? More importantly, how on earth did these kids make it to eighth grade with only a fourth grade reading level?

A key to getting kids into what they're learning is to help them discover the importance of reading. Just telling them it's important and giving them your reasons isn't going to fly. They need to discover it for themselves. Why not take some time to do some work with them about their futures? Have them discuss what they want to do with their lives and have them work on finding out how reading will help them be what they want to be.

It will be very important to continue to attempt to involve their parents.

In the long run, I have to tell you -- I had a class like that. I quit teaching.

Answer 4

Have you tried a reward system for at the end of the term or even the end of each week if they have completed a percentage of the work, remained on task, and presented the right attitude toward learning? We have one teacher on staff that uses, (Reward bucks, points) for her students when they do something for others or behave well for a sub, or help her out in some small way even. Also, if you have parents that have the time to come in and volunteer to help out and see how there children are behaving in class maybe that would help. Another method that has worked in this school district in the past for remediation students is getting them to help out younger students. Maybe you could take them to the elementary school and have them practice reading to Kindergarten-fourth graders. That may make them feel important like they are helping someone and make them work harder in class also.

Answer 5

I would push on. It's frustrating but you'll feel better about it. I don't understand why your class would be elective when they obviously can't read at grade level yet. Is there a way you could make it a requirement for graduation? I know that means dealing with the bureaucrats, but if they don't take it seriously enough that may be helpful.

Answer 6

Push on for their sakes, not yours! If these kids act like this remember they are kids... find ways to make it fun, interesting, upbeat your teaching style. These kids may not graduate if they don't have a good teacher that will fight for their education.

Watch some of those movies, like Dangerous minds etc.

Answer 7

Try putting in some fun into your lesson. That might help.