2024 in Review. Are Teens Really That Fragile? There's a fine line between giving the support kids need and overdoing it. By Paige Tutt. Illustration of a backpack with 'Fragile' tape wrapped around it.
In our best efforts to support teens through middle and high school, it’s possible, educators told us in 2024, to go too far.
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Student talking about our Socratic Seminar today: “I thought it went well. I learned a lot, but I was so nervous. I had more to say but felt myself holding back. Our class is so diverse, which is a good thing, but it makes it hard to be open to sharing everything.”
Teaching Ss how to talk with one another in a productive way so that they hear different perspectives and keep an open mind is challenging, but so important. It takes as much direct instruction as writing and requires immediate feedback as well. What feedback do you give a class after a discussion?
I’m really proud of this poem. Thank you for sharing !
There is a lot more scrutiny on schools now. This pressure led to districts, boards, and principals overemphasizing test scores, while there is also no incentive for students to try on them. Meanwhile, Ss have more demands on their time than ever and don’t value their education like they used to.
Cover of Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
Just finished this morning. Already has me thinking about my own life and what I value most in this world. Does anyone else do this when you finish a book? The English teacher in me is always asking “what can I learn from this story?” Literature = equipment for living.
Grateful for this new space full of educators who share what they love. Here is a poem for you on this Thanksgiving. One of my favorites. I invite you to read. www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49622/...
Thanks, Josh. The work you’re doing is so important. I appreciate you.
Love this one. Especially once you get to Part 2
Book cover of the novel Station Eleven
Late to the party on this one. Enjoying it though.
I do think, though, that it is harder now to convince Ss that there is value in investing their time and energy into a challenging academic task. There is more demand on their time than ever before. As Ts, this is why we have to lead with the “why” behind what we do. “Because I said so” won’t work.
We can all take more responsibility to better prepare and challenge our students, but this just sounds like he wants to pass off the ownership to the teachers who are beneath him. I personally know the people who write the exam questions. I help score them each year. The rigor is there.
I agree with all three. Especially questions about CB motivations. But it is because of your 3rd point that I disagree with this professor’s ideas about HS teachers not being aware what the most current academic practices are. It sounds, to me, like he is the one set in his ways.
I am impressed everyday by what my students can do. Their quality of academic thought is just as good as it has always been for HS Seniors. What I see in this article is a professor who doesn’t like what he sees in the mirror.
As an AP teacher myself, I’m curious about what you see from your students and their scores? Do you believe that kids who score a 4 or a 5 are capable of spending time and complex thought on lengthy and complex texts? Particularly when you consider how they compare to the average college freshman.
There is something beautiful about sitting at the back of the room and listening to students have a conversation for the whole period. Where do we create space like this in our adult lives?
Yes! Such a great story.
For me, today, it was Invisible Man.
I love it when my students walk in the room already talking about their assigned reading. Reflecting on this, I’m realizing that it’s not as much about what stories they enjoy, so much as which stories pique their curiosity or challenge them to think in new ways. Which books do this for your Ss?
A lot of people have shared this poem over the past week. It’s a sentiment I think about a lot, especially now.
I hope everyone is doing what they need to take care of themselves. One step at a time. One day at a time.
Student at the beginning of class: “Are you sure there is enough time for our group to finish this? It sounds hard.”
Same student at the end: “Dang, we actually cooked this thing.” Then high fives the rest of the team.
Love it when students surprise themselves with their own brilliance.
As soon as students are tracked or pulled into special classrooms because of a test or a teacher recommendation we start losing them. All of a sudden there are classes of kids who believe they aren’t capable of the same level of work as the “smart kids.”
It is striking to me that so many students don’t believe that they are capable of deep thinking and completing difficult work. They constantly compare themselves to their classmates for better or worse, and I can’t help but think this is a product of the American educational system.
Thank you so much!
Hi Scott! Glad to see you over here. I haven’t been on here long, but it already feels like there is more room to breathe.
Compliance vs Engagement esheninger.blogspot.com/2024/10/comp... #education #teaching #teachers #studentagency #pedagogy
I’m planning to compile an ELA & literacy leader Starter Pack of people who serve as literacy teacher-leaders, ELA/Humanities department chairs & supervisors, curriculum directors, literacy coaches, and state-level coordinators.
Please comment with your role and repost so we can develop a network!
HS English teacher and department chair. AP Lit reader and consultant. Excited to reconnect with more ELA teachers here.
