Panic mode

Last full week for students is in progress. Funny be it December, May or April due to construction the behavior seeps in. There are the what can I do to catch up and pass groups, the help me to maintain the grade that I have( no more assignments please is the translation of that title.) , and the I am done why aren't you group?( translation can we just watch movies to the end?). Over eight school days ago I gave French 1 and 2 a notebook assignment instead of a final. Purpose to review the year, and the second is to create a notebook they can use next year if they go on. Long story short it is due next Monday and some have only three pages done. It is to be 8 sections with 5 pages minimum per section and I do not allow cut and paste material for the majority of the pages. Also since we do not have 1to 1 computers here, I wan t it in 2oth century style notebook format so they can use it whenever. This has disturbed some who want to go purely digital and/or do it in power point which is unnecessary. Oh Well. Monday will bring revelations I am sure.

College classes end the first week of May but research work is due or will be due soon. They are also in panic mode. I marvel how year end panic exists at either level though the college level is sterner stuff. Most of my classes are full of "non-trad"s as I teach at night. Often they are just returning to college after a span of years and they are spooked from day one. About the time I get them settled and working , research pops up ,and here they go into tail spins again. However most survive.

Lately I have been getting many Afghan vets. Some are really focused and do well; others not so much. In some wars they could be called shell shocked though now we have a fancier term.These are the ones I have to work with more as they seem unsure of themselves and the world we live in. so Sad to see such a result of young people who did what they believe to be right.

Still i enjoy the the classroom even in panic mode and it is often the time when a student can learn valuable lessons--time management, and what happens when you make poor choices. Growing up is not ever easy ; and If I as a teacher can help them learn these lessons with gentleness but firmness about what needs to be done, I fell I have done my job,