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02/28/2007: "Top Ten"
Eighth grade in California requires a study of the Constitution. In some schools, so I've heard, this is no worse or more difficult than any other unit. Not so in my school. Where I teach, eighth graders have to endure the trial by fire known as "The Constitution Project". It is notorious. Dreaded by all (even the teachers), it is the number one thing that students entering the eighth grade say they're nervous about.
It's a monster.
The Constitution unit, which is about 5-6 weeks long, depending on your students, is a true pain in the neck for teachers. It is difficult material and somewhat tedious, despite the need to go at a breakneck pace to get through it all. We have a 30+ page booklet called "The 411 on the Constitution" that consists of worksheets and handouts - each kid gets one and at least two of your students lose theirs every year. The unit also requires the project, a combination of a 5-7 page essay, collage, newspaper articles and analysis, bibliography, etc etc etc, all presented in a lovely binder with title page, table of contents, numbered pages, decorative cover...
Or, you know. Not.
This is the third year I've done the project and certain trends have emerged. Here, then, are the top ten things that happen the day the Constitution project is due:
1) 20% of your kids are suddenly out sick.
2) At least three kids sit, stunned, when you collect the project and gasp, "It was due TODAY???"
3) Two kids insist you "never told me we had to do that" even though "that" (and every other requirement) is laid out specifically in the project outline that you've referred to daily for a month.
4) Four kids crowd into your room at lunch and beg to use the computers to type up something that should have been typed a week ago, because HI! The project is due today!
5) Two kids ask for extentions because "I was out sick last week" (and have been back for a week) despite the fact that the policy is that long term projects are due the day they're due no matter when you were out.
6) Special education assistants come in to your room to ask for extentions for *their* kids because they didn't have a clue how far behind the kids were on the project and now it's due. Whoops!
7) One students explains that he doesn't have a binder to put the work in and somehow missed that requirement despite the fact that (again) it's in the project outline, has been shown in the example projects and you've told students to bring their binders to class every day for a month.
8) One student argues with you heatedly about exactly what "due today" means. He is convinced that 11:59 pm is still acceptable and offers to email the project to you.
9) If looks could kill, you'd be dead ten times over because the only word you can say to students today is "No" and they hate you for it.
10) You start to wonder if making money as a subject for scientific experiments wouldn't just be easier than being a teacher.
Tomorrow: long overdue updates on the kitchen, the baby and more! Tonight I'm gonna go home and wish I could have a drink!
Notes from a Yarn Hacker
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