and now, a pep talk from Mr. Schick

Okay, it's been a crazy few weeks in West Civ.  Some highlights (and lowlights)...

We missed a ton of classes (Feb 10 - snow, Feb 13 - faculty retreat, Feb 16 - holiday, Feb 17 - Cyber Day, Feb 20 - Cyber Day II, Feb 26 - Cyber Day III), yet we still managed to complete a unit on ancient Egypt.  We tested on that unit yesterday, and here are your class averages.

• Section 3: 72%
• Section 4: 87%
• Section 6: 79%

Section 4 has a well-deserved reputation for being involved, energetic, and engaged in the discussions.  They take notes in the notebooks, and do a good job transferring the notes to their blogs.  Is this why they do so well on tests?  Of course it is.  Section 6 has shown a lot of improvement in the way they conduct themselves in class, which accounts for their grades going up since last semester.  Section 3's class average has dropped considerably, which is certainly due to near constant chatting and whispering - sometimes from one side of the room to the other.  Actually, Section 3 has more than twice as many kids failing right now than in the other two sections put together.  I try to teach the same way in all of my classes.  But I feel genuinely bad for students who are trying to do well, yet have a hard time concentrating because of all the distractions, and seeing their teacher lose his train of thought because of a handful of kids who don't care.

Is everybody in Section 3 failing?  Of course not.  Most of the class is doing their best.  But it's like dropping just a few drops of vinegar into a glass of water - the whole drink ends up tasting nasty.

Ask any kid who transferred into Section 4, and they'll tell you how much more fun class is, how much they are learning, and how their grades have improved.  And the only difference is how those students interact with their teacher.  

It's in your hands.

Rant over.

Side note - it's always interesting to hear how much you hated the Pyramid Challenge, but as I read your blogs, I see your frustration often accompanied by a sense of accomplishment at finally completing it.  Also, please check your grades and note that everyone who completed it received either an A or a B.  I was using the "threat" of a C or a zero to try to motivate you to work hard, and work as a team.  If you think that was too much pressure, keep in mind that I am trying to get you ready for SATs and ACTs (now, that's pressure!)

Next week we move from Egypt to ancient Greece.  Enjoy your weekend!