Month: December 2019

During a ten-minute Writing Stamina drill, one student wrote, “School is terrible and boring . I hate grading, especially the standard based type. ”

That’s one way to look at it. May I offer another suggestion? We ALL have a job to do. Right now, your job is to be a student. If you do a good job being a student, you could potentially get a good job, which will allow you to make enough money that will allow you to do what you want to do as an adult.

In regards to standards-based grading, it’s easy to blame something new on why you are not doing well. But say that I had to grade this, your bell-work, using the outdated letter system. What grade would you give yourself for two sentences in ten minutes? If the skill being assessed was WRITING STAMINA, how did you do?

Now, is that SBG’s fault? or yours?

I challenge you to rethink how you look at school and work.

Think BIG picture. What kind of person do you want to be? One who complains and blames? Or one who gets things done and leaves others choking on your dust?

Make better choices and I GUARANTEE that you will see better results!

Last week I had a student write a compelling argument against grades. She ended her bell-work, her longest yet, with “Thank you for coming to my TED Talk.”

Don’t get me wrong – I see where she is coming from.

I personally hate grades and the emphasis placed on grades.  Just because you have an A, does not necessarily mean you are smart.  Some people test well. Some people are “good” students.  The “bad” kids are often “misbehaving” because they are bored/unchallenged.

But … here is the thing – it’s not about grades or even school.

Maybe each opportunity is giving you something to learn – and I am not talking about math, or science, or history – I am talking about building character and habits that make you the kind of person you are proud to be and set you up for success. 

The “real” world doesn’t “start” after high school, or even college.  It’s now.   

The students often offer me the feedback that “I’m too nice.” or that I need to be “stricter” because some students take advantage of my kindness. My retort: I believe in principles such as accountability and integrity. I believe that it is my responsibility to help students LEARN from the choices they make, good or bad. Finally, I believe in my students – but sometimes they break my heart with the CHOICES they choose to make.

I ask you to consider: When you choose to play games, instead of taking the opportunity to reflect and grow as a person, as a writer, what is the cost? When you choose to lash out at others because you are disappointed in yourself, how does that impact those around you? Ask yourself: What kind of habits: mental, physical, and emotional are you practicing?  How do those habits help or hurt you?

The thing with high school – there are a lot of things that distract us from what’s truly important.  You already know it’s not grades or drama.This LIFE thing is not easy – and definitely a minefield to navigate through…. but if there’s anything Zahraa taught me, it’s that BEING a GOOD person, and approaching life with an OPEN heart – no matter all the drama and struggles and challenges – THAT’s what really MATTERS. 
(HUGS)

The final draft is due Wednesday, December 18th @11:59pm submitted on Google Classroom.