I teach fourth grade and I know it is very different that eighth but I have a group of children that are very lethargic. They are the lowest group of readers in the entire school. Most are reading at a second grade level or lower. They have always failed at everything they have done, including state tests, and know that they will continue to be promoted. Therefore, they know they don't really have to do anything to "get by."
It is slowly getting better but I had to become the teacher I hate being. I had to hold things over their heads and use punishment as a way to force them to read and learn. It was absolutely horrible. However, the first week that they all got a passing grade on their vocabulary test was a celebration that even the principal had to come down and see. The fact that this is the first year that they have ever been asked to read things and talk about them has really blown their minds and I think the structure of the class has helped with some of their success but it is a battle every day to keep them reading and learning. They are so close to giving up and never trying again. So, even though it is a completely different world at the middle school, know that I completely understand the frustration and how tempting it is to just throw up your hands and say, "I'm done...I give up!" Just hang in there and know that if you don't give up you may be the first teacher they have ever had that hasn't done so! Angela Hatley Almond Fourth Grade East Albemarle Elementary School _______________________________________________ Mosaic mailing list Mosaic@literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/mosaic_literacyworkshop.org. Search the MOSAIC archives at http://snipurl.com/MosaicArchive.
