World History. Two classes AP (advanced placement) and two regular. What a difference. The AP students were more attentive, more diligent, and more ambitious. I took a minute before the class to tell them I went to a public high school in Boston just like them, was admitted to Harvard, and I know exactly what they are going through, and how they are feeling. They were amazed about Harvard, and I felt like a celebrity. At the end of the class, I told them that they were all smart, but it only mattered if they believed it themselves, and if they proved it every day. Which I think is very good advice for students. The actual class was what I suspect is typical of substitute teaching nowadays. The entire lesson is online for the students to complete, and the sub really just kind of monitors the classroom. But we have to open the class, close the class, and we can take advantage of any opportunities to help them during the class.
The two regular classes were quite different. I went through my Harvard spiel and one kid snorted derisively “well, that’s impressive”. I told him with a straight face that he was correct. Maybe a third of the class, maybe more, adopts this combination of slouching in the seat, mumbling responses to questions, no eye contact, yakking it up with friends, getting out of seat, not doing the lesson at all. A few did not do one minute of work. I don’t really get this. It’s like giving up at age 16. I need to find a way to address them and motivate them, if even just a little. When I talk to these kids individually, they are not bad kids. Not at all. It’s just that the way they approach their school day is entirely inconsistent with success. With this assignment, I’m happy if these kids are just quiet, but that’s a disappointing minimalism in expectations. Honestly, if I had only classes like these, I would try for a while and then probably give up on my merry little experiment. But I already know that not all classes are like this.