GrrrrRRAARRrrrrrr....

[the_vulture]

So I'm into my first proper week back at school and, I tell ya, these kids are wretched. I've been given the bottom of the bottom for three year groups and it looks like it's going to be a long, hard slog. If I finish this year, my English department is SO going to OWE me.

What really sucks is when I put a lot of work into making a fun and entertaining lesson that involves something I'm passionate about and that I know the kids would appreciate, but they don't give the damn lesson a chance.

For example, I've been putting a lot of work into a GCSE original writing project that revolves around the Hero's Journey (as put forward by reknowned folklorist Joseph Campbell) and involves looking deeply at the commonalities within many epic hero stories to create one's own. I've broken everthing down into quick, bite size pieces (my year 11s are very weak) and I'm involving all sorts of interesting clips from films such as Star Wars, The Matrix and Shrek. Today, we were supposed to look at a clip from Star Wars to get an idea of how heroes start in an "ordinary world" setting. The clip was to be shown at the beginning of class before setting into the discussions and work. Would the damn class settle down so the clip could be played? Hell no! Apparently, Star Wars is too "boring" for a number of these wretches, so they'd rather evoke my wrath and the consternation of their fellow pupils, rather than shut up for a few minutes. 

Damn ungrateful snots!

Comments

the good fight...

[marykate-gift.livejournal.com]

*hugs* well if it is ANY consolation *I* am very interested in the unit you put together. I'd love to do something similar with my 9th and 10th grade students. Would you share???

I am sure once you win them over, you'll have them eating out of your hand *smile*.

don't give up!

*snuggles*
MK

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Well, I'm starting to get some more positive responses, so it hasn't been in vain. Just gotta keep plugging at it...

I'll email you what I've got.

*hugs!*

[campybear.livejournal.com]

Hallway... Water buckets... "I'm an enormous twat." placards...

[mystery-girlicu.livejournal.com]

BOO! LOL. (http://photobucket.com) Well ya know, the same applies for little children too. You can spend a LOT of time preparing something for them and they don't respond to it. So...what to do? Always have a backup plan!

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Normally, I do. In this case, no film for them - ram questions through. The thing is, I don't have much of an option; unlike KS3 and younger, these kids have hard deadlines for coursework that need to be met. I simply can't waste much time. So we get done what we get done, whether they like it or not.

Fortunately, this class is finally starting to build some momentum. I have very little disruption before films now, as there are only a few hold outs wanting to cause problem and it is made very quickly made clear to them by their peers that this is "not cool."

[mystery-girlicu.livejournal.com]

Excellant!! Surprise Sunday hug! (http://photobucket.com) (http://photobucket.com) (http://photobucket.com)

[the-vulture.livejournal.com]

Right back atcha!