My students are dumb...just completely and utterly dumb

[Anonymous]

OP, I mostly teach IB and AP level classes, but this year I also have one of the "basic" English classes for students who are not interested in/capable of the more rigorous courses. I think this one class is comprised of students you would call "dumb": they aren't kids who read for fun, and they don't have the best writing skills or vocabularies. Most of them probably aren't capable of performing at a very high level, regardless of motivation or preparation. My colleagues refer to them as "your dumb class."

But they are my favorite class this year! Shocker: no one is more surprised than me. I challenged myself to choose some novels they would like. This was kind of fun because these kids freely admit they don't like reading. Yet they loved the post-apocalyptic lit unit I put together for them, and we had some great class discussions of the literature, and did some cool projects. We also read some other, more traditional lit, and they were surprising enthusiastic. It felt really good to hear them admit that they actually enjoyed the class.

But I went into it with the expectation that they had different priorities than my AP and IB kids. I understood that they were not as academically prepared or motivated and...I did simplify the requirements of essays accordingly.

I actually find the honesty and originality of these kids refreshing. They aren't trying to figure out the script and parrot back what they think I want to hear, which is what my higher level kids do. But they also aren't motivated enough to go home at night and google other people's opinions about what we are reading so that they can spout off the stuff as their own ideas in class: all ideas are their own observations.

I think maybe you should adjust your expectations and priorities. Also, remember that if students hate your class, they won't try or learn. Sometimes you have to change your expectations and priorities in the classroom, even compromise "targets" and "learning objectives", just to keep this kind of class happy and excited enough that they will try and engage.

In a way, you have a greater responsibility to a class like this: if you mess it up, they may never read another book or open themselves to learning in school again. If you can get their interest and show them that sometimes school stuff can be fun and exciting, they may be more open minded in the future. It is a tremendous responsibility, in a way. (my higher level students in AP and IB classes will succeed no matter what I do in my class with them, but my lower level class kids are a higher stakes group).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise! People are not all equally brilliant blank slates, only to be affected by SES, quality of teaching, impact of community, blah blah blah. Some of them really are dumb as bricks.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!!!

You are familiar with the way a bell curve looks, yes? Its really hard to believe that all of the OP's students are on the lower 1/4. She just doesnt like them and bitching on the interent about it is really unprofessional. But hey, I guess it makes you feel smart to call children 'dumb as bricks'. Proves you are so much better, right?

You have no idea what you are talking about. You make too many assumptions. You have no idea what population Op is working with. I have a relative who teaches in a small school district in another state and says the kids are stupid and their parents are stupid. This cycle will continue if the people in her district keep marrying each other. The stupidity will go on ad infinitum. The fact is there are towns of stupid people and they have stupid children. It is sad but true. I don't know if OP teaches families like these, but if she does, she is merely stating a truth.

Good luck with that prejudice.

What prejudice? This is a fact-- not a belief. These children are mostly White, by the way.

When did 'my relative says' become a reliable source for anything ? Well maybe its a fact that your relative said it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise! People are not all equally brilliant blank slates, only to be affected by SES, quality of teaching, impact of community, blah blah blah. Some of them really are dumb as bricks.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!!!

You are familiar with the way a bell curve looks, yes? Its really hard to believe that all of the OP's students are on the lower 1/4. She just doesnt like them and bitching on the interent about it is really unprofessional. But hey, I guess it makes you feel smart to call children 'dumb as bricks'. Proves you are so much better, right?

You have no idea what you are talking about. You make too many assumptions. You have no idea what population Op is working with. I have a relative who teaches in a small school district in another state and says the kids are stupid and their parents are stupid. This cycle will continue if the people in her district keep marrying each other. The stupidity will go on ad infinitum. The fact is there are towns of stupid people and they have stupid children. It is sad but true. I don't know if OP teaches families like these, but if she does, she is merely stating a truth.

Good luck with that prejudice.

You're being asinine. I don't understand what it is with being politically correct. It is not an f-ing mystery to the average person anywhere that there are people of varying intelligence levels and that to a large extent, it is determined at birth. Or, for that matter, that perhaps intelligence levels vary based on what neighborhoods you teach for.

Which part of this requires mental gymnastics???

This is why the Right calls the Left mentally ill.

Actually, what research shows us is that intelligence level is NOT determined at birth, and can actually change over the course of one's life.

A lot of research is shit these days, sheep, plagued with group think and political correctness. You don't have to be an anti-science creationist to see it. Just not willfully blind like a hard left liberal.

[Anonymous]

Some of you people are crazy. Straight up crazy. You work all day with kids supposedly but have never noticed that kids differ in natural abilities? Even when you weigh for SES, home life, all that stuff? Is the concept that there are dumb kids a truth you cannot emotionally handle? Hilariously pathetic existence.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Some of you people are crazy. Straight up crazy. You work all day with kids supposedly but have never noticed that kids differ in natural abilities? Even when you weigh for SES, home life, all that stuff? Is the concept that there are dumb kids a truth you cannot emotionally handle? Hilariously pathetic existence.

Nope, just not willing to blindly accept someone's statement that there are whole classes, schools, towns and probably states that do not follow the normal distribution of intelligence. Its statistically much more likely that most children are average and some fall on either side of average. If you aren't good at sorting that out, its on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you people are crazy. Straight up crazy. You work all day with kids supposedly but have never noticed that kids differ in natural abilities? Even when you weigh for SES, home life, all that stuff? Is the concept that there are dumb kids a truth you cannot emotionally handle? Hilariously pathetic existence.

Nope, just not willing to blindly accept someone's statement that there are whole classes, schools, towns and probably states that do not follow the normal distribution of intelligence. Its statistically much more likely that most children are average and some fall on either side of average. If you aren't good at sorting that out, its on you.

Good, finally. So you admit some individuals are dumb, some aren't. Baby steps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Some of you people are crazy. Straight up crazy. You work all day with kids supposedly but have never noticed that kids differ in natural abilities? Even when you weigh for SES, home life, all that stuff? Is the concept that there are dumb kids a truth you cannot emotionally handle? Hilariously pathetic existence.

Nope, just not willing to blindly accept someone's statement that there are whole classes, schools, towns and probably states that do not follow the normal distribution of intelligence. Its statistically much more likely that most children are average and some fall on either side of average. If you aren't good at sorting that out, its on you.

Good, finally. So you admit some individuals are dumb, some aren't. Baby steps.

Sure, you have certainly proven that!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I mostly teach IB and AP level classes, but this year I also have one of the "basic" English classes for students who are not interested in/capable of the more rigorous courses. I think this one class is comprised of students you would call "dumb": they aren't kids who read for fun, and they don't have the best writing skills or vocabularies. Most of them probably aren't capable of performing at a very high level, regardless of motivation or preparation. My colleagues refer to them as "your dumb class."

But they are my favorite class this year! Shocker: no one is more surprised than me. I challenged myself to choose some novels they would like. This was kind of fun because these kids freely admit they don't like reading. Yet they loved the post-apocalyptic lit unit I put together for them, and we had some great class discussions of the literature, and did some cool projects. We also read some other, more traditional lit, and they were surprising enthusiastic. It felt really good to hear them admit that they actually enjoyed the class.

But I went into it with the expectation that they had different priorities than my AP and IB kids. I understood that they were not as academically prepared or motivated and...I did simplify the requirements of essays accordingly.

I actually find the honesty and originality of these kids refreshing. They aren't trying to figure out the script and parrot back what they think I want to hear, which is what my higher level kids do. But they also aren't motivated enough to go home at night and google other people's opinions about what we are reading so that they can spout off the stuff as their own ideas in class: all ideas are their own observations.

I think maybe you should adjust your expectations and priorities. Also, remember that if students hate your class, they won't try or learn. Sometimes you have to change your expectations and priorities in the classroom, even compromise "targets" and "learning objectives", just to keep this kind of class happy and excited enough that they will try and engage.

In a way, you have a greater responsibility to a class like this: if you mess it up, they may never read another book or open themselves to learning in school again. If you can get their interest and show them that sometimes school stuff can be fun and exciting, they may be more open minded in the future. It is a tremendous responsibility, in a way. (my higher level students in AP and IB classes will succeed no matter what I do in my class with them, but my lower level class kids are a higher stakes group).

You sound amazing - I hope my kids have some teachers like you as they progress. Thanks for your hard work!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise! People are not all equally brilliant blank slates, only to be affected by SES, quality of teaching, impact of community, blah blah blah. Some of them really are dumb as bricks.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!!!

You are familiar with the way a bell curve looks, yes? Its really hard to believe that all of the OP's students are on the lower 1/4. She just doesnt like them and bitching on the interent about it is really unprofessional. But hey, I guess it makes you feel smart to call children 'dumb as bricks'. Proves you are so much better, right?

What does the bell curve have to do with some joke public elementary school where a pulse makes you stand out?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Surprise! People are not all equally brilliant blank slates, only to be affected by SES, quality of teaching, impact of community, blah blah blah. Some of them really are dumb as bricks.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding!!!!!

You are familiar with the way a bell curve looks, yes? Its really hard to believe that all of the OP's students are on the lower 1/4. She just doesnt like them and bitching on the interent about it is really unprofessional. But hey, I guess it makes you feel smart to call children 'dumb as bricks'. Proves you are so much better, right?

What does the bell curve have to do with some joke public elementary school where a pulse makes you stand out?

Normal distribution of IQ scores follows a bell curve, even in public schools. The students in the average classroom will fall for the most part in the middle 50% with the extremes on either side being pulled for special ed. or exceptional child (I think that's what they are calling it now?) services. (Gifted services are still Spec. Ed./ EC services.) Most likely scenario is that OP has average kids in her class, they are able to learn the public school curriculum just fine. The OP just isn't good at teaching them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work as a teacher in a Southern Maryland High School and I have to say 80% to 90% of the children are dumber than dirt. They lack the intellectual capacity to even spell simple words like "though" or "their". I'm not trying to talk against them but I wish they weren't so damn dumb. All they care about is Facebook, Twitter and other stupid stuff.

Omg. Sick to the stomach reading this. First, poor kids. Their teacher has given up on them. Don't know what the home situations are but it's hard to learn how to learn without adults who care showing you. Second, feel awful for the teacher who sounds at the end of her rope. Talk about a lose-lose proposition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I mostly teach IB and AP level classes, but this year I also have one of the "basic" English classes for students who are not interested in/capable of the more rigorous courses. I think this one class is comprised of students you would call "dumb": they aren't kids who read for fun, and they don't have the best writing skills or vocabularies. Most of them probably aren't capable of performing at a very high level, regardless of motivation or preparation. My colleagues refer to them as "your dumb class."

But they are my favorite class this year! Shocker: no one is more surprised than me. I challenged myself to choose some novels they would like. This was kind of fun because these kids freely admit they don't like reading. Yet they loved the post-apocalyptic lit unit I put together for them, and we had some great class discussions of the literature, and did some cool projects. We also read some other, more traditional lit, and they were surprising enthusiastic. It felt really good to hear them admit that they actually enjoyed the class.

But I went into it with the expectation that they had different priorities than my AP and IB kids. I understood that they were not as academically prepared or motivated and...I did simplify the requirements of essays accordingly.

I actually find the honesty and originality of these kids refreshing. They aren't trying to figure out the script and parrot back what they think I want to hear, which is what my higher level kids do. But they also aren't motivated enough to go home at night and google other people's opinions about what we are reading so that they can spout off the stuff as their own ideas in class: all ideas are their own observations.

I think maybe you should adjust your expectations and priorities. Also, remember that if students hate your class, they won't try or learn. Sometimes you have to change your expectations and priorities in the classroom, even compromise "targets" and "learning objectives", just to keep this kind of class happy and excited enough that they will try and engage.

In a way, you have a greater responsibility to a class like this: if you mess it up, they may never read another book or open themselves to learning in school again. If you can get their interest and show them that sometimes school stuff can be fun and exciting, they may be more open minded in the future. It is a tremendous responsibility, in a way. (my higher level students in AP and IB classes will succeed no matter what I do in my class with them, but my lower level class kids are a higher stakes group).

You sound amazing - I hope my kids have some teachers like you as they progress. Thanks for your hard work!

I agree

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I mostly teach IB and AP level classes, but this year I also have one of the "basic" English classes for students who are not interested in/capable of the more rigorous courses. I think this one class is comprised of students you would call "dumb": they aren't kids who read for fun, and they don't have the best writing skills or vocabularies. Most of them probably aren't capable of performing at a very high level, regardless of motivation or preparation. My colleagues refer to them as "your dumb class."

But they are my favorite class this year! Shocker: no one is more surprised than me. I challenged myself to choose some novels they would like. This was kind of fun because these kids freely admit they don't like reading. Yet they loved the post-apocalyptic lit unit I put together for them, and we had some great class discussions of the literature, and did some cool projects. We also read some other, more traditional lit, and they were surprising enthusiastic. It felt really good to hear them admit that they actually enjoyed the class.

But I went into it with the expectation that they had different priorities than my AP and IB kids. I understood that they were not as academically prepared or motivated and...I did simplify the requirements of essays accordingly.

I actually find the honesty and originality of these kids refreshing. They aren't trying to figure out the script and parrot back what they think I want to hear, which is what my higher level kids do. But they also aren't motivated enough to go home at night and google other people's opinions about what we are reading so that they can spout off the stuff as their own ideas in class: all ideas are their own observations.

I think maybe you should adjust your expectations and priorities. Also, remember that if students hate your class, they won't try or learn. Sometimes you have to change your expectations and priorities in the classroom, even compromise "targets" and "learning objectives", just to keep this kind of class happy and excited enough that they will try and engage.

In a way, you have a greater responsibility to a class like this: if you mess it up, they may never read another book or open themselves to learning in school again. If you can get their interest and show them that sometimes school stuff can be fun and exciting, they may be more open minded in the future. It is a tremendous responsibility, in a way. (my higher level students in AP and IB classes will succeed no matter what I do in my class with them, but my lower level class kids are a higher stakes group).

Maybe you should realize that your ONE class is a joy b/c it's only ONE class. It's a novelty.

Until you have 5 classes of on level English/English inclusion, you should keep your thoughts to yourself.

I hope my honesty is also "refreshing."

[Anonymous]

I am a teacher and my first year of teaching, I was given all of the low classes. I was hired after school started and the schedules were done so I ended up with all of the low ESOL classes. I nearly quit because I was so exhausted. Never again will I have 5 low classes again. A few of my students went through the IEP process and had IQ testing done and all of them had IQs in the low 70s. It did not surprise me at all. But I was still supposed to get them college ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I work as a teacher in a Southern Maryland High School and I have to say 80% to 90% of the children are dumber than dirt. They lack the intellectual capacity to even spell simple words like "though" or "their". I'm not trying to talk against them but I wish they weren't so damn dumb. All they care about is Facebook, Twitter and other stupid stuff.

Great Mills???