Phew!

Don't laugh, but I just ran up the stairs, stormed into my bedroom, quickly opened my laptop and hit 'create post' to get me to where I am at right now; which is....typing this blog post :)

Why did I run up the stairs, storm into my bedroom, quickly open my laptop, and hit 'create post?' My overwhelming brain. I was sitting on my couch reading 'What Learning Leaves' by Taylor Mali and all of the sudden millions of thoughts began crowding my brain. I didn't have paper or a pencil or pen. If I did happen to have a pencil or pen, I probably would have written my thoughts all over the ink pages of 'What Learning Leaves!'

Okay, I've noticed my students saying, "Miss Moore, you challenge us a lot!" or "Miss Moore, this class is hard!" When I first heard these comments, I didn't think much of them. I want to challenge my students, I want them to think, and I want them to learn the most they can everyday. 

Yesterday, in the mix of my loud, energetic, anxious to leave, 4th period Parenting class, I heard a student of mine ask another student, "Do we have to pass this class?" Immediately, I began to visualize the grades my students have in this class and I realized all of them are passing and doing fairly well. I thought, "Hmmm, why would she ask that question when she is passing my class and doing well?" Then, it hit me...I teach an elective. All of the sudden, the comments "Miss Moore, you challenge us a lot!" and "Miss Moore, this class is hard!" began to repeat in my head. 

Do students view electives as easy classes and that some can be considered 'blow-offs?' Did my students expect to have an easy ride with Parenting and not have to think, do work, or study? These questions and thoughts upset me. I am like any other teacher in the world. Regardless of what you are teaching, each class is important and teaching an elective is just as much work as teaching a core subject. 

Do the comments about my class being hard come from the viewpoint of electives being easy? Is it the fact that my Parenting class is taught the last hour of the day? How can I work to change this 'view' of electives? 

School is work and the job of students is school. Learning is fun, but it involves some work and maybe some challenging assignments. Yes, you should work towards passing the electives you are in. You should treat them like your English, Math, Science, and History classes. Your grades in your electives count towards your overall GPA. 

I'm so troubled by this! Time to do some research :)