So I just watched the two videos and can already completely relate to them. First, the SNL skit- I am really surprised that I have not seen that one yet! I love SNL and enjoy the fact that they even do teacher skits. The feeling of giving up when students don’t pay attention or ask what they are to do is something that we have all gone through. In fact, at my field experience this week, my students were asked to do a simple worksheet about their opinions while the other students were scheduling for next year’s classes. This worksheet was very simple, it just discussed personal experiences with growing up, conscience, and compassion, but the students were very reluctant to fill it out. There were no right or wrong answers, the students just didn’t want to try. Then, like the video, when one person said something, they all agreed and wrote down the same answer. The only problem is, this was a PERSONAL OPINION handout and copying defeats the whole purpose. I felt like Jerry at the end, I just wanted to grab my bottle of aspirin and let them do their own thing until the bell rang! But I continued to try and pull information out of them. Sometimes, at the end of the day, giving up seems like the best way to do things, but it is really never the answer.
Then I watched the Taylor Mali video. I really enjoyed this too! I agree with everything he has to say because he mentioned both serious and funny things. He mentions that doesn’t let kids go to the bathroom simply because they are bored…we, as teachers, know that that is the actual reason they want to leave the room. But he also gets passionate about what he is saying. He makes students read, write, spell, and everything else, but all the lawyer thinks about is the teaching making MONEY. I love the way he interpreted this question because I never would have thought about it. The ending—AMAZING! We don’t make money or bonuses, we make a difference and that is the most important thing that we can make. After dealing with the at-risk students at Central, I want to make a difference. Even if it is just getting slightly, a little bit through to one of the kids….that’s what I want to do in my 30 hours in the classroom.
Also- I am wondering why i am always the first one to comment on the blog after class?? Stan- don't answer this...
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6 comments:
First off, I loved the Seinfeld Saturday Night Live sketch. I think that whoever wrote that sketch definitely remembered huigh school. I think that it showed what happens to many teachers over time. Many teachers have grand ideas for how they're going to get their students to learn and give up when their ideas don't seem to work. The part at the end when Seinfeld's character tells the students to read quietly and mentions that the kid should bring in his Raiders of the Lost Ark video shows what many teachers resort to. They simply give up on challenging their students.
As far as the other video goes, I'm getting kind of sick of seeing the offended teacher demanding respect. Honestly I could care less whether a pretentious lawyer thinks I've wasted my time. I don't need to rant and rave in defense of my ego. I know why I chose teaching. The man brings up good points but his raving attitude was a bit overdone.
The video was from Def Poetry Jam, thus, the raving for dramatic effect.
Seriously, you think you are going to address me in a post and I'm not going to respond? (no real offense taken, but used only for dramatic reasons!)
I will reserve my opinion for your ears alone Stacy, Lacy, whatever your name is, in 520.
I think that the SNL skit felt like the first day of field experience. One of the students who I helped, seemed to hear me, but was not really listening to me. It's like I was talking, but she was having trouble focusing on my words and interpreting the very simple meaning. I wasn't getting deep either, it was easy.
The one thing that poeple always bring up when you say you're going to be a teacher is the pay. at least that's been my case. I loved Mali's response, poem, rant, whatever. I agree with Kevin, dramatic, but I don't think overdone. It clearly shows the passion he has for teaching. Some have it, some don't. I'm passionate enough to give someone the finger in the scenario, but agree with Kevin that anyone who asks that question is not worth the finger or the response Mali gives. But, I liked it a lot.
And, since I was diverted by Dr. Franklin making us watch videos, I started watching others by Mali and they were great too. After reading all of our blogs, and my blog posts (and Stacy's) in particular, I think we could all use spell-check on the Blog. Go watch the "Impotence of Spell Check" if you haven't already. This would be great to use in the class when assigning typed papers!
I'm starting to get to "Franklin-like" length in this post, so I'm wrapping it up!
~Stan
Kevin, I don't think that the whole point of the second skit was to demand respect. I think that it was to simple show that teachers make more then just their pay check. It was a showing up of the laywer friend since laywers are so notorious for making very good money. I'm not saying that you are wrong, or anything, just wanted to point that out.
I think it was Casey (in 520). I'm sorry for even starting that Stacy!!!
So, what happened next time you went to class. At least you were persistent and kept trying to get the students to do the questions. I think that's the key. Show them that you're not giving up on them. They will remember that someday when push comes to shove. I remember the teachers like that don't you? So, don't give up. Keep plugging. Someday it will pay off.
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