I'm also learning that I hate the phrase "Do we have to?" ... this is in response to all kinds of directives and activities....
Do we have to ....
- take notes? ... nope- just practicing my handwriting.
- show the work? ... only if you want to get a good grade.
- put a heading and write in script? ... only if you want me to know to whom the grade goes and you want full credit....
- have to finish this for homework? ... nah- it was something for you to do because you were being noisy.
and about the returning of homework/folders/signed papers/etc?
- my mom forgot to give it to me.
- mom didn't put it in my backpack
- i didn't know we had to do that
- i was supposed to bring that back?
I mean, wow! What would they ever do without mom!? In my elementary days, if we left it at home, not only was it our fault, but it stayed there and was brought in the next day. There was no going back after hours to get books/assignments/clothing/lunchboxes/etc. There was no going back home to get the forgotten homework, musical instrument, or sneakers for gym class. We also didn't get to do the "good stuff" like play or have a treat of some kind, until all the "yucky stuff" (like homework) was done. And, WOW! If a bad grade came home, or I got in trouble in school... forget it!! Big time punishment that I didn't even think of trying to get out of.
What ever happened to teaching responsibility for one's actions? to owning up to making mistakes and/or doing something wrong, and then paying the consequence? Do kids even have consequences anymore?
Maybe I don't know what I'm talking about because I'm not a parent (had a colleague say that to me once)... but I've been responsible for more than enough kids in my "short" life... some as teacher/mentor, some as employer/employee... they've all turned out good by my estimation. I know I can't take total credit for the whole person they've become, but I can tell you this- "my kids" know my rules and follow them... whether they're 10, or 26... and I've even seen some of the older ones pass on some of my tricks and particulars to the kids in their lives.
I turned out OK- mom did a good job with me. I know who I am (most days) and I make pretty big difference in some small worlds. That's good enough for me.
