In an effort to teach across the curriculum, we are reading historical fiction in class. The novel we are reading is My Brother Sam is Dead by James Lincoln and Christopher Collier. It is basically a story of a family torn apart by the Revolutionary War. It really is an excellent addition to the social studies unit on the same topic. The book contains a lot of historical facts, death, conflict, debate, and bad words. The perfect book for any teenager; the girls even enjoy it.
The cross curriculum project is so successful that one day, a student came into class and told me in a whine, “We are talking about the same thing in here as we are in Social Studies. The Revolutionary War is everywhere.” Like I acknowledge most obvious comments, I wrinkled my brow and said, “That was the point.”
When students fail a grade, they get to complete the grade again with all new teachers. One purpose for this is because if the student didn’t learn from one teacher’s style one year, it isn’t going to happen in the second year. Another reason for this is because if the teacher fought all year to get the student to work and never succeeded, then the teacher deserves a break.
We have been discussing the Revolutionary War for two weeks now. Even the student repeating 8th grade is reading the novel for the first time because his first 8th grade teacher did not teach the novel. Although this particular student has not finished the novel, he did “learn” about the Revolutionary War in social studies last year.
I started the class in an activity where the students analyze the two sides of war and decide whether they would like to be a Tory (colonists on the side of the British) or a Patriot (colonists on newly formed Americans). I have them locate phrases in the novel and quote the book to prove what side they would prefer to be on. Most students instantly choose to be Patriots for the simple reason that they know that they want to be on the winning side.
The class begins hunting for their proof through the novel, and I hear a few boys in serious debate. I take note of them; not because I want to stop their discussion, but because I like that they get so passionate about the subject. I giggle to myself thinking that I have fooled them into thinking learning was fun. The creative teacher strikes again!
This is when I notice what the argument entails. The boy, who is now in his second year of 8th grade, is debating with the other boys, insisting he wants to be a Tory. The boys laugh at him and began to list all the reasons why he should switch sides. The boy gets angry in the debate, probably because he realizes he doesn’t have any proof to back himself up. (Not because there isn’t any proof, just because he doesn’t know any of it.) Finally, one of the other boys asks, “Don’t you want to win the war?” Dead serious, the other boy replies, “I haven’t finished the book YET, how do you know who wins?”
The boys roar with laughter. I am slightly amused, yet incredibly concerned. How can someone sit through lesson after lesson and not understand that the Patriots have to win the war in order for us to be sitting here in the United States of America?
I just assumed kids failed the 8th grade from not turning in their work or studying for any test. Apparently, he hasn’t be listening at all in class, and still isn’t listening as the lessons about our founding fathers repeat themselves in two classes. Common sense is nowhere to be seen. No teacher is going to entertain some students enough to reach every single one.
This is the future. Is this the teachers’ fault for not clarifying that the Americans or Patriots do win the war? Or is this the fault of the students for being in their own self-centered little world? Surely, I have said at least a half dozen times that the Patriots, the Rebels, the minutemen are the Americans.
Some kids are so special that they will fight education with every ounce of passion in their body. Is that passion? Or stupidity? The future is near and it isn’t all the bright or motivated. Teachers can’t do it all.
Mishaps Today 