Sunday, January 22, 2006
Fifth Grade Troubles
Dear Guidance Guy,
I have this really mean teacher, and I did a presentation on a person. She said something really embarrassing and I feel really sad. Other than that I can't survive the whole day. She gets mad if you fail and if you don't know the answer for something. If you don't show your work on your assignment she takes points off even if it's right!
I do my best to do what I'm suppose to do and I do it but still feel down. She also gives a load of homework. That's something I can't fit in with all my other stuff. Just because we wait for her and we talk a little she's like "You have to stand out for 2 minutes befor recess."
Please Help,
MJS (fifth grader)
*****
Dear MJS,
I'm going to do the kindest thing I can for you, which is to be totally honest. At your age I feel it's important for you to hear the truth so that your life doesn't become too difficult.
Teachers do get mad when you fail and when you don't know the answer. It is a reflection on how they teach. Good teachers will be patient when you are trying to learn new things. But after a while they get frustrated. It's natural for that to happen.
When you don't show your work on assignments (especially math), most teachers take points off. Showing your work is the only way they know that you have learned. If she tells you before that she will take points off for not showing work, the best thing to do is to show it!
As far as not being able to do your homework because of other stuff, that's something you should talk about with your parents. It may be that your teacher gives a lot of homework. It may also be that you have too much other stuff and should cut back. It could be both!
Your teacher may not be doing everything right, MJS, but I wouldn't know it from your letter. You did a lot of complaining. If that's all you wanted to do, I'm glad I was hear to listen!
But if you want things to get better, you might want to figure out how to work with the rules in your classroom. If there are things you would like to change, figure out how YOU can do better. Ask your teacher how you can be more successful in class. And try to be the best student you can be.
A great man named Jim Rohn once said, "Don't wish for things to be easier. Wish for yourself to get better." Do your best and I promise things will work out fine.
Your Friend,
The Guidance Guy
I have this really mean teacher, and I did a presentation on a person. She said something really embarrassing and I feel really sad. Other than that I can't survive the whole day. She gets mad if you fail and if you don't know the answer for something. If you don't show your work on your assignment she takes points off even if it's right!
I do my best to do what I'm suppose to do and I do it but still feel down. She also gives a load of homework. That's something I can't fit in with all my other stuff. Just because we wait for her and we talk a little she's like "You have to stand out for 2 minutes befor recess."
Please Help,
MJS (fifth grader)
*****
Dear MJS,
I'm going to do the kindest thing I can for you, which is to be totally honest. At your age I feel it's important for you to hear the truth so that your life doesn't become too difficult.
Teachers do get mad when you fail and when you don't know the answer. It is a reflection on how they teach. Good teachers will be patient when you are trying to learn new things. But after a while they get frustrated. It's natural for that to happen.
When you don't show your work on assignments (especially math), most teachers take points off. Showing your work is the only way they know that you have learned. If she tells you before that she will take points off for not showing work, the best thing to do is to show it!
As far as not being able to do your homework because of other stuff, that's something you should talk about with your parents. It may be that your teacher gives a lot of homework. It may also be that you have too much other stuff and should cut back. It could be both!
Your teacher may not be doing everything right, MJS, but I wouldn't know it from your letter. You did a lot of complaining. If that's all you wanted to do, I'm glad I was hear to listen!
But if you want things to get better, you might want to figure out how to work with the rules in your classroom. If there are things you would like to change, figure out how YOU can do better. Ask your teacher how you can be more successful in class. And try to be the best student you can be.
A great man named Jim Rohn once said, "Don't wish for things to be easier. Wish for yourself to get better." Do your best and I promise things will work out fine.
Your Friend,
The Guidance Guy
