Michael Figueroa
T O P I C :
Socializing vs. Learning
Michael Poses the Question. . . .
September 14, 2007
There is a student in one of the classes that I sometimes teach who just seems to be in there to sit and sleep or talk to the girl that sits next to him. I believe he is ESL, or at least at-risk, and he has already been taken out of one math class for not doing his work at all. He hardly ever does his work in this class and sometimes won't even pick up the work he is supposed to be doing for the day. Considering this is a Remediation Lab and a last chance to get or save his credit for the course, it is just perplexing on how to deal with someone who seemingly doesn't care at all. My mentor has tried to engage him but I haven't really been able to see any progress. Any ideas?
Julie Allard answers. . . .
September 16, 2007
My guess is that something crazy is going on in this student's life. He may need to go to "School Within a School" or move down to B_ _ _ _. Those two places address students who are at risk for dropping out. Expectations are different, and the goal is to help them make it to graduation. Some students just don't fit in, or have easy lives, but that doesn't mean we give up on them.
Justin Keen answers. . . .
October 19, 2007
I teach social studies, so it is a different approach. I understand but I have over 50 per cent ESL and inclusion kids in all my classes but one. I find that I have gained great ground with student understanding by utilizing small groups. This way I allow the ESL students the opportunity to gain the socialization they need and crave at this age. Also they can use each other as sounding boards to gain the confidence to make an attempt they may not be making because of embarrassment over skills they lack. However, you must embed a source of individual accountabilty if it is actually a group project. For simply finishing homework or class assignments, I would think small groups might motivate them to push ahead if they dont feel alone.
Planet Gnosis is directed by Dr. Freddie A. Bowles,
Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Planet Gnosis is dedicated to the exploration of education and teaching. It is a cybersite of CornDancer.com, a developmental website for the Mind and Spirit. Submissions are invited. |
|