What I Learned From My Students

What I learned from my students this week and this past year is that they will take advantage of any weakness or privilege you let them have. What I mean by that statement is that students will live up to the old saying "Give them an inch and they will take a mile". Midterms and class notebook turn in was last week. This is a major grade for their class average and I had used the Score Card to have everyone self assess their notebook before turn in time and get it together to be graded. Some worked on them and some stole work from others. I had four notebooks stolen from the class turn-in boxes. I found some of these items in my advanced class notebooks that were turned in by seniors. Just when I thought it could not be worst, other seniors cheated and copied each others answers on their midterm test.

I have been trying to find why they thought they needed to cheat and steal. I think that they are lazy, selfish, and wanted to just not do the work. The main reason they did this is they thought I would not take the time to check everything. Other teachers that they have do not spend any time checking their student's work. Everyone seems to be in a big hurry. Also I was immobile. I messed my knee up pretty bad and had to sit in a chair mostly last week. You cannot exert good control from a chair. I am normally very mobile, especially during exams. Other teachers and my supervisor have been helpful in giving me advice on how to correct it from happening again. I cannot be the ole softee that lets everyone make up their missing work. It will be interesting tomorrow when I take 5 seniors to the Principle's Office,who need my block class to graduate this year, and show my boss how they cheated on their midterm test.