I am really interested in what the response will be to this diary, because this is uncharted territory for me...
I teach "regular" 6th grade math and Advanced Math. I enjoy teaching both preparations and especially love to see the "light bulbs" that go on when students get something for the first time. I love working with 6th graders-- most of them still like their teachers at this point and they still try to do their best.
Which is why I am struggling with something that several of my students said to me this week:
"If I don't get an A in this class for the six weeks, then my mommy/daddy/grandma says I have to change classes."
These are Advanced Math Students-- really bright kids. What I have discovered about this year's crop is that they have never been challenged. Everything has come so easily to them-- I call it not having to lift a pinky. So I told them and their parents at the beginning of the school year that it was my job to stretch these students- to allow them to see exactly what they were capable of. The stated goal of my class is for the students to learn all the standards for 7th grade state testing even though these students are in 6th grade. All of these students will do well on "the test" -- I have no doubt there.
The real goal, however, is to allow these students to really get into the math they are capable of doing. I don't believe in treading water. I want them to think and puzzle through things and learn something new each day. I want them to have to lift their pinky a little.
Apparently many of them (and their parents) don't care about learning-- it's all about the grade. Parents have said that "my child only makes A's, so if he/she gets a B we will be pulling out to regular math."
Sigh... so much for learning... so much for rising to a challenge. I wasn't aware that it was my job to hand out A's. I thought I was supposed to be teaching students to unlock the wonders of mathematics.
Thoughts?