What grade do you prefer?
These kids were 8th grade in age only. Many have plateaued since 4th grade. That might be covid-related, idk.
Maybe 15-20 out of 75 of them are proper students who value their academics and take any pride in their work. Most of the 75 would be perfectly fine if we didn't have to send them (to their) home everyday.
I'm going to try 3rd grade next year.
The younger they are, the more intrinsic they are when it comes to learning. Curious, happy to do well, etc.
At some point, most don't care at all about school. I recognize in any average 8th grader, they're discovering the opposite sex and gaining more responsibilities, etc. That's fine and good. Hair in strange places, all that.
But for many of these very poor hispanic kids, apathy has taken over. As a teacher, when I see that, I mix it up, do something fun, spice it up......nah. They (the 2/3-3/4) just dick around, ruin the supplies/materials, and don't turn anything in.
I maintained my efforts and those students know how much I cared, to the last day. But god damn, it was absurd. I'm accustomed to a ton of academic and social/behavioral improvement over the course of the school year. This year, I didn't see much of either.
My expectations of their school functionality were way too high.
I was looking forward to deep, nuanced conversations...or at least minimal interest and opportunities for higher-level content and back-and-forths than I was accustomed to.
That didn't happen much at all. It was a poor decision on my part.
