Sandi's Small Success Blog

I hate to say it, but I'm having a hard time
coming up with a small successes. I think what
Matt says has a lot to do with it. I think I'm
forgetting how important it is for my students to
have small victories. I think my assignments are
sometimes too hard or too confusing...especially
when I'm having such a hard time getting my
students to be quiet long enough to give out
directions. I have a new electronic grading
system that is making it easier to keep track of
what work my students are (or more often aren't)
doing. I post the grades by ID number once a
week.

Out of 96 students, only about 25 are passing
right now. I thought that would motivate them to
work harder and settle down, but it hasn't. I
think I've made it seem to difficult. I'm
allowing them to do make up work, but again, I
think the assignments are even more confusing
when the students have to do them without any
class instruction.

I know that wasn't the question you asked, but
that's what's on my mind right now as I try to
plan a poetry unit that's a lot easier to deal
with than my last unit on media and persuasive
writing.