was this you?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5gzVE5wlkA

Well... spent the most of the first two class periods in the hallway trying to keep the huddled kids quiet and under control. Jim, who said you could send those toe-naders this way?

Maybe I'm just a little more pessimistic today than usual, but I've come to the conclusion that my career in public school to this point is like that of a preacher speaking to a group of atheists every Sunday who only attend because they are forced to. Few listen, most have no heart for it, most see what you are doing as irrelevant, they are seldom convicted, minds are rarely changed, they get nothing from it nor take anything with them when they leave, and certainly seldom come in hungry for more of what you offer. Oh, and it's free. That's probably why they see no value in it. If it is given away, it's worth nothing.

Just ranting... you don't have to bother with a response. Carry on about your day.

Sounds like you might appreciate this book.
I summarize this as "teach kids how to think, not what to think".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUtRi011FLY

If you prefer not to pay for it, here's the public domain version:

http://manybooks.net/titles/lewiscsother10Abolition_of_Man.html

Sounds similar to the deal TWGW got on my blood pressure monitor. Normally something like $70-80 and she got it for $12. If it wasn't pink I'd be thrilled instead of happy.

Now manage that blood sugar (diabetes? hypoglycemia?) and stay healthy.

Only after a good eye roll

I appreciate the sentiment, but this really isn't the problem. It's not what I'm teaching them or even the approach... it's the very NOTION of learning anything... so many of them are content with ignorance while relishing in stupidity. They want to be fed and entertained and socialize by what ever means necessary. This is a systemic problem. Eh, but again, I'm just down a little today in regards to job satisfaction. It happens to most of us, I suppose.

that's because, by and large, as a society/culture, we are less and less inclined to expect, and even demand, responsibility and accountibility - so if it isn't expected/rewarded/demanded, why would they care? And that "they" extends beyond school students to much of society - if half-assed is good enough, why should I strive for excellence?

And yet we're becoming such a nation of wussies that we won't confront someone's half-assery because "oh my gawd, we might hurt their feelings...."
O.M.G!!!! grow a danged spine ya wuss...both of you! the half-ass and the one in authority over the half-ass.

Of all the things that deeply concern me over our nation, this is among the top.

We facilitate half-assery by not demanding full-assery (or should that be no-assery?)

and why am I all the sudden fixated on "assery" tonight?

oh yeah, the dentist I had to take my daughter to earlier, and then the lady that cut my hair......MmmmMmmMmm....

okay, don't let my little detour into humor (no matter how true it is) derail from the seriousness of the issue.


and don't be a half-ass, and don't accept half-assery.

Well said, Jim.

Just want to add one thing.

I got my Aeropress today!!!!

ftfy

and cool!

You know, things haven't changed that much since we graduated, huh?

You know, I'd add to this, but you got it close it enough...

Hey Micah, think this guy is referring to you? :rofl

at least you can get good comments and heated discussion from an atheist. it's the Christians in the pews I have the most problems with...

C.S. Lewis is a favorite o' mine.