I gave homework to my 8th graders for the weekend. Normally, I don't. Not a big fan of homework for my students.
As a parent (and teacher), the last thing I want to do after a day of teaching is to come home and do homework with my own children. So I sort of have a soft spot for the challenges facing my students on a nightly basis. Some of my colleagues, I'm sure, think of me as a wuss. But my attitude is to work very hard with the kids in school in an effort to avoid sending them home with a bunch of "have to's." I've been "getting away" with it this long. Why stop now? Anyway, I went against my own instincts by assigning homework. At least for this weekend.
Here's why: I did the first part of a two part lesson on goal setting with my students today (Monday will be part 2). Much of the lesson was borrowed from some of my recent posts here on FanNation. I told my kids as such (FanNation inspiring the youth of tomorrow. Frightening? Nah). Their assignment is to spend some time this weekend contemplating where they want to go and what they want to do with the ONE life they (we) are given. My plan is to teach them "The Attitude Technique" taught to me by Homer Rice (see recent posts entitled "The Attitude Technique Parts 1 and 2 for reference).
I left them with this short story. Many years ago, in a fit of desperation (and prior to becoming a teacher), I placed a call to Jackie Sherrill. At the time, Coach Sherrill was still the head football coach at Mississippi State University. He and I had established a written correspondence over the years, so I was turning to him for some guidance. I was very nervous about calling him directly. Who was I to think that I could pick up the phone and ask someone of his stature for help. But I did. And I got through.
"Hello there Mike (pronounced in his southern drawl more like, 'Mack'). What can I do for you?" (I'll never forget his deep intimidating voice). "Coach, I really need your help. I want so badly to do something with my life and I just don't know where to turn," I said, voice trembling. And I'll not soon forget his reply. "What do you WANT to do?" That seemingly innocuous response put the onus on me to think in a different way. And to coin a phrase from the poet Robert Frost, "and that has made all the difference."
So that's the homework assignment for a group of about sixty eighth grade students in one small public school in New Jersey. My hope is to help them "make all the difference" too.
Cheyenne Frontier Rodeo Days
Comments (15)
Nice blog. Hopefully, your students can attain their goals.
badgerfan07 is ashamed | 04/18/08, 10:01 PM
Report Offensive CommentThat sounds like a cool assignment. They have the weekend to contemplate it. If they take the assignment seriously, they will really like part 2 of the technique. Who knows how this homework will affect what they do. I'm sure it will get some kids planning for their future with this.
Red Zone | 04/18/08, 10:07 PM
Report Offensive CommentRUGator... thank you again for some poignant writing here. I was raised in a resort environment where transience and a service-industry lifestyle came naturally. From the age of fourteen, when labor laws first allowed me to get a job, I have served people on one resort or another, one restaurant or bed turn or baggage haul at a time. Yet, even after taking a shot at college -- though I wouldn't say I gave it the ol' college try -- and returning to the foodservice industry through culinary school and restaurant work, I still realized I needed more...
Sites like FanNation satiate my craving to WRITE and be read. It gives me a chance to relive my debating glories in high school and college with moral virtual victories. I have new sympathetic communities where other people share common interests...
I am a sports fan, a writer, a cook, a poet, a kite-flyer... I am a true Renaissance man. Coming to grips with that was one of the greatest thrills of my life... may your students find such similar bliss...
Bigalke | 04/18/08, 10:08 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog. Also...
"Not a big fan of homework for my students..."
That sounds really good to me. Sounds like you're a good teacher, and you seem to really "get" how kids are.
Big M... | 04/18/08, 10:10 PM
Report Offensive CommentGreat blog. Those kids of yours are going to look back and remember you as a great teacher I'm sure.
Your Leader....WOW | 04/18/08, 10:39 PM
Report Offensive CommentI think we may have differing pedagogies when it comes to homework, RUGator and I'm a K-5 elementary guy (tyrant perhaps). But all educators are different, and that's a good thing. I am however right with you on the What You Want To Do? scenario. I see way too many insane parents who have their fourth grader's lives all mapped out already (more boys than girls' parents it seems). Your assignment sounds awesome. And the tidbit about dialing a DI football coach makes it even better. Great blog. Your assignment would be a wake-up call to the parents down my part of New Jersey...
EastCoastKeith | 04/18/08, 10:58 PM
Report Offensive CommentGood Blog. Good Homework Idea as well.
Daveita | 04/19/08, 01:31 AM
Report Offensive Comment"Not a big fan of homework for my students." Would you like to take over as my 8th grade teacher for the rest of the year?
Fantastic idea for homework though (never thought I'd say that). I might actually enjoy doing that (oh Lord...). Also, "The Road Not Taken" by Frost is a very meaningful poem filled with great advice for decision-making. Don't do what everyone else is doing or what everyone else it telling you to do; do what you want to do.
Now, what exactly do you mean by "where they want to go" and "what they want to do"? Career goals?
G.O.A.T. | 04/19/08, 08:26 AM
Report Offensive CommentGood blog. I agree with GOAT.
dyhard is CC Sabathia! | 04/19/08, 08:53 AM
Report Offensive CommentAlways enjoy reading your work, I remember when a question like that was asked of me during my senior year of high school by a football coach at school that was recruiting me...I said with all the confidence in the world"I want to play ball!" His answer to me and I'll never forget it was...well you cant do that forever, so lets get you an education...It was kind of refreshing to hear coach say something so real, I ended up signing with him, based solely on that statement!
xxx84xxx | 04/19/08, 09:46 AM
Report Offensive Commentgood blog,I think it's great what you do with your students.
"Cincy" The wall | 04/19/08, 08:42 PM
Report Offensive CommentMy goal is to attend Georgetown on an academic scholarship and major in engineering.
G.O.A.T. | 04/19/08, 09:21 PM
Report Offensive CommentAs a senior citizen I'm finding this question very hard to answer. Basically, I can't remember what it was I wanted to do with my life when I was in 8th grade, LOL, but I'm sure it wasn't what I did. You see, living is what you do while you're making other plans and the future can and does care only about itself. I wish your students well.
Lady's Coach Belicat | 04/20/08, 05:28 PM
Report Offensive CommentYou're one big storyteller. I wish that I was in your class.
Marc.H | 04/20/08, 11:35 PM
Report Offensive CommentI have no idea where it came from (and neither did my parents) but as far back as I can remember my goal and that of my brother's was to go to college.
I do know that while my desired profession changed several times, there was only twice when I got into serious trouble as a youth - both were the only times when I found myself without a planned profession. I have no doubt the 2 were connected.
Yet another nice blog.
Prove It | 04/21/08, 01:59 AM
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