Pensamientos

 "You laugh it off, you get upset for a little while, you're human and you let it go."  Jennifer Lopez

Today, I lost my cool with my Twosies.

Last Friday, the entire class - all six students - did not complete the homework assignment.  I was absent the previous class, and, they assumed there was no homework, because the sub did not tell them there was.  FYI: The class is actually comprised of eight students, but, two were absent on last Friday.

So, today, the agreement was that, for reduced credit, last Friday's assignment was due - TODAY.  Well, two of the students still came to class sans homework.  Mind you, there were two other students who were absent, and who came to class with the homework.  So...what was the problem?

Add to the above the fact that most of the students had not memorized their lines for their Spanish commercials. That was the other part of the homework for today.  The students who said they weren't ready kept waivering back and forth.  They needed time to rehearse as a group.  They did not feel ready. And so on and so forth.  

Although I was aggravated and frustrated, I was willing to accommodate.  What I found even more aggravating and frustrating was the level of indecision, lack of commitment, and dedication to the task at hand. 

As it turned out, the students used the time productively to block their commercial, discuss filming strategies, and, to rehearse their lines.  One group even filmed their commercial.

I don't like to lose my cool with the students.  It makes me feel irresponsible.  After all, I am supposed to the the model of excellence.  But, as a teacher told me years ago, it is okay to allow students to see their teacher get upset, and show emotion from time to time.  It shows that we are human.  

Sigh.