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[quote=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).[/quote]

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