About teaching and the Teen

Teaching is as much about listening as lecturing. Maybe even more so. For it is not just what a student says but what they don't say that let's me know what to ask next. Whenever a student answers a question, I like to see if their answer is a guess, luck or for real.

Teaching High School in 2010

"There is no substitute for practice", I tell this to my students at regular intervals. I say it with sincerity, saddness, conviction and pleading; but the results remain the same. Or should I say - they remain UNCHANGED.

How can I compete with constant text messaging, Tour of Duty, YouTube, FaceBook.... How can I make them think that 20 minutes of independent work will make any difference in their life? Would it be possible to engage them at their digital level - through texting, or FaceBook or Youtube videos? Possible, but what is wrong with a little hard - paper pencil - realistic work?

I'm at an impass.....