Post Two

The problem with throwing what we think is important at student is that if they don't like it they won't read it. No matter how important it is, no matter how useful it is, we can't make them read something. The answer to that isn't MTV or porn, but rather finding works/activities that promote engagement. I am not one to pander to my students, but if what I'm doing as a teacher isn't working, then I am always willing to try something different. For instance, I have to teach Great Expectations. I can name the people that like that book on one hand. I am spending a great deal of energy trying to find tactics and tools to more easily get through the 500+ pages of Dickens's ramblings. I can try games, or short stories with similar themes but less pain. But we are doing our students a disservice by telling them how and what to do without trying to find out what they need. There will always be the students who do exactly what we want when we ask, and we will love them for never causing us trouble and justifying all of our choices as teachers. But if that's our goal, then what's the point of working in public schools? In a lot of ways I work for them, not the other way around. The goal is for them to succeed and I am there to help them.