Everyone thinks evil thoughts at some point. It's just a matter of whether or not you act on them that makes the person him/herself actually evil.
In that case, my 2 TGRH1 classes are about to think I am on par with the devil in terms of my evilness (is "evilness" even a word?).
On the one hand, I want to give the kids some slack: the first Monday back from vacation is rough on everyone. But they have been giving me a rough time since the get-go and lately it has gotten really out of hand. But I feel just handing them back to their teacher would be too easy (plus, heaven forbid, if I gave up those classes I put myself at risk of being stuck with some 8AM classes or something instead). Basically, save for 2 or 3 semi-decent kids, I have decided I pretty much hate them. I am over trying to get them to like me. I swear the little bastards just want to make my life hell during those two hours. Here goes, my open rant to my first two classes of the week:
OK, TGRH1, you've asked for it. You think my English class is synonymous with wandering in whenever you feel like it, taking 10 minute bathroom breaks, and catching up with your semi-wretched friends about the last episode of Nouvelle Star (which totally off-topic, I just read on the assistants' website that an assistant in Burgundy was on the show-- tres chouette!)... Don't get me started on the fact that your collective English skills is hands-down the worst of ANY of my classes. You think I ask about your interests and work hard making lesson plans & activities that will be fun and educational for you for my frickin' health?! Do you come to my class drunk and/or stoned?! Maybe you should lie and say yes, because then at least you would have an understandable excuse for forgetting EVERY BIT OF ENGLISH you have EVER learned.
Alas, TGRH1, I am stuck with you for another 7 class meetings. And my goal is to have your little derrieres whipped into shape by the time I leave. I just spent a good hour creating the most vile, mind-numbingly boring, so very unfun grammar/essay "quiz," and it is just for you. Past tense and future tense, synonyms and antonyms, and lastly, an open-ended essay question on the following topic:
"Do you think it is acceptable that you and your classmates do not listen to the assistant? Why do the students refuse to participate in her activities? Do you prefer to do grammar exercises instead?"
I saved it for the end, and hopefully if they are not crying of boredom by that point, they will be ridden with guilt by the time they are through. I feel bad having to give the punishing quiz to all the students, even the 2-3 decent ones, but I just can't handle it anymore. I am torn between going in on Monday with my original lesson plan and as soon as they act up, hand it out, or just make this my lesson plan and hope they learn their lesson by the next class. I'm leaning towards the latter; that way, I will go in with my heart-of-stone mentality and just not care. You don't understand? Poor you-- maybe you should have paid attention during the last 4 months of class instead of text-messaging your friends. C'est quoi? Pardon? No, I seem to have forgotten all 10 years of my French, just like you can't remember any of your 10 years of English. And for all intents and purposes, these quizzes will be "graded."
Gosh, re-reading this post I am beginning to think I AM on par with the devil. Overall I don't think they are bad kids: just rude, obnoxious and ungrateful. But I am polite, and quite gracious, and can only handle those who aren't for so long. I am, in fact, acting on my evil thoughts. But that doesn't REALLY make me an evil person... right?
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3 comments:
Hey Nikki :)
Just so I'm clear: "T" = terminale, "GRH" = something technical or professional and not the bookish kids, and "1" = their group. Right? Ok.
I completely agree with your alternate lesson plan. Just because they're not the TES or TLs doesn't mean that they can't be successful or make an effort. They're friggin 18 (right?). They are old enough to decide to succeed. You can provide them with fun cultural discussion-based lessons, but it's up to them whether or not to participate. My vote is that you walk in with your original lesson, and when their attention falters, slam em hard with verb conjugations. Oh my goodness I would fail that sooo badly.
My Mexican roommate has a group of TSTGs that give her nothing but headaches - we're currently blaming them for her impacted molar - and she regularly gives them Wednesday afternoon detentions. Not that it improves the situation, but she feels much better after handing the Vie Scolaire a stack (we're talking at least a half a dozen a week) of referrals.
Only seven more weeks for you, right? Are you still getting married in France? Ahhh you were supposed to re-enact Eva Longoria for us!!
A bientot :)
-Rose
Hey Rose :)
Yeah I'm still struggling to figure out what all the acronyms in France school systems mean, but that sounds about right. Basically, they have to take English but didn't elect to, unlike TL or TES. And I can't be oblivious to the fact that teenagers WILL talk in class, but at least back in my day I could (and would) do so discreetly, and the SECOND I was called out would blush furiously and behave myself.
I also left a note for their prof (like my 3rd one) saying I am at my wit's end, if she has any advice, etc. So we'll see what she has to say (so far her only advice has been to separate the chatty ones).
7 more weeks! For most of my classes I want to plan an au revoir fete, maybe with some American snacks, music, etc, but not for these lil pains.
No more French wedding, finally decided that I couldn't handle a whole new stack of paperwork (plus the time my fiance would have to take off work, and the cost of him flying out here, and all the documents). Sorry, Eva Longoria wins this round :)
Also, I am totally stealing your word "lamecore." kthxbye.
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