Week 15

I have finished teaching Block 1 and 3 which is a load off of my shoulders. We have reached the American Revolution and Mr. Tate is an expert (and loves LOVES the subject) so he has begun teaching. This is also great because If I were to sit in 3rd block for any longer I would drive myself crazy. The same students that have been discriminatory are continueing. Many other teachers have made comments but nothing is being done. It is ridiculous.
Period 4b has become one of my favorite classes because for some odd reason the class mentality changed and they want to do their work. They will soon be finished though by the end of the week because we are wrapping up the French and Indian war and then move onto the American Revolution where Mr. Tate takes over. When going over my last unit "the French and Indian war" I had the students write a paper as a character in the war of their choice. They were to write about the war through the eyes of their character. The requirements were 2 pages double spaced size twelve font. They received a rubric, got a peer review, a rough draft corrected by myself and a chance to rewrite their final draft for a great grade...I thought that this project would be simple but it was as if I was asking them to build a space rocket. I gave them 3 90 minute class periods to write this and the papers still have people who cheated and did not put any effort into it. There were a few though that took advantage and really did make a great effort.