Lydia spends 2 hours a week in the math lab getting extra help but her tests don't show this at all. I couldn't understand why someone who seemingly put in so much got so little in return so I asked her how many hours a week she studies at home. "Ms, I don't do anything at home. I can't do this stuff alone and I shouldn't have to. Sometimes I look at it in my car."Lydia is a recent graduate from a NYC high school.
"Mr. Education Mayor, you did a great job here. Keep up the good work!"
5 comments:
I had a similar problem with my statistics class sophomore year of college...whatever I did to try learn the material, never seemed to click. Thankfully, I did pass the class, and it was a P/F grade. I feel for Lydia and other students who have difficulty grasping material.
I don't feel anything for Lydia or for any kid who doesn't bother to study at home. Looking at her work in her car doesn't cut it with me and shouldn't with any teacher.
I am sure most students never learned study techniques on how to get through difficult materials and concepts. Probably why they 'give up' so easily and 'don't bother'. I never learned any of this stuff in high school, but in college. I often wonder if the student 'truly doesn't care' or 'doesn't understand how to go about it on their own'.
I did study on my own high school but I learned better techniques on how to really understand concepts during my second semester in college,a meta-cognition class. I learned how interact with the material getting into the instructor's head and making mock exam questions, asking questions from the readings, writing notes and key words during instruction/readings,etc. I often wonder if and students know about any of these techniques.
I was instructed to regurgitate knowledge and concepts in high school without actually understanding 'why and how' it was done.
Now as a teacher, I look back now and reflect on my education growing up. My alumna school district was supposedly a good district back in the 80-90's. I do not (from when I was a student, do not know if it has changed, I am guessing it has since there new teachers in my old elem, middle and high school)like the district's philosophy to instruct students. It was counter-productive for me as well as some of my former classmates (my friends who I have had conversations on this topic). Most of the way I was taught, was through rote memorization and nothing more. I do not remember actually learning mathematical concepts through understanding and breaking apart. It was mostly all rote and I attribute my lack of math skills growing up based on how I was taught.
I don't think you get it--this girl doesn't even try to study on her own, proably because she never had to.
Oy, Sweet Girl Tracie.
You need to read Mr. Teachbad Blog--especially his latest post & comments. You'll see what Pissed Off is talking about replicated in Washington, D.C., Philly & Chicago.
And--the more education blogs you read, the more you'll see it all over the country. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? (Learning good study skills at home or learning them at school?)
I totally agree w/Pissed Off. NO student should be doing homework
(that's why it's called HOMEwork!)in a car unless a student
LIVES in a car.(& I'm NOT advocating homelessness or students living in cars...just making a point here.)
Oh, & I hope P.O.'s student wasn't DRIVING that car while looking at her work!!!
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