It links to yesterday’s conversation about what it means to be ready for 12th grade. There’s several tensions with our current eleventh graders that we should be able to process in writing. And it’s a minefield for a lot of reasons.
1. The turn it on, turn it off nature of life; too many humans operate on the “when I get to place X, I’ll turn it on and I’ll be fine” model. This is an illusion for all but the most lucky and talented. It runs deep.
2. The deep worry we all have about where kids start college and face the frustration of remedial courses. Even in a project-based model, where passion and interest fuel the work (on good days), there’s still much to be done to “catch up.” College, even done badly, is hard work and I think too many educators create a picture of it as a kind of nirvana. I am guilty of this because having the opportunity to read, write, and argue all day sounds pretty good to me but I loved all those things even when I hated school.
3. Such an article and such a discussion shouldn’t be seen as a personal attack; rather it should be seen as a way of understanding what the students will be up against. Like any teacher (and parent), I have moments where I present information in what I feel is a non-threatening, thoughtful way only to have my children and students ask why I’m coming at them. Why I’m always coming at them. ALWAYS COMING AT THEM.
4. The dawning reality that many kids start to face in eleventh grade…the real world is coming and it’s scary for more than a few of them. Analogy: it’s the start of a long walk on the plains. You can see the mountains in front of you but they’re going to be far, far away. And you can see the other hikers who are days, even weeks ahead of you. You can do it. But it’s going to take a lot of effort of a sort you’ve never put forth before. It might just be easier to stay where you are.
Monday morning…
