Comment from ExperiencingLiphe

Excellent

My brother had a teacher hand him a calculator in first grade because she didn't want to take the extra time with him to teach him addition. My mom had to do it, and then when he went to second grade his teacher kept him in from recess to help get him back up to par. My mom was hot. I'm sure these students are use to my brothers first grade teacher. There's a huge difference of teachers that want to teach and others that are just there for a pay check. I guess it's just like everything else in that sense.

 Comment Written 14-Feb-2021

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reply by the author on 14-Feb-2021

Yes, it is. In my hones opinion, calculators should be banned until kids get into the algebra classes unless they have a proven disability. Poor elementary math skills doom many kids for life - and it's mostly not their fault. I wouldn't stand for it when I was an elementary teacher, Jan

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

I am enjoying reading these.

Rayvon quickly got up from his seat and sidled up next to me, then turned and glared at his classmates. (sidled up beside me)

I smiled at Rayvon and responded, "Thank you, Rayvon. You can take a seat now." (You can put a period after Rayvon, you don't need 'and responded.' and the same with others. Stop after the action and go straight to the dialogue. We know somebody is saying something.)

 Comment Written 24-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 24-Jan-2021

Thanks, Barbara, for your editorial comments. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Jannypan (Jan)

Excellent

Oh, I've been there, too, Jan. I had a similar group of 7th graders in summer school math who could be the subjects you wrote about. But we all made it through and hopefully, they will remember some of the things I tried to teach them. You did a good job with your recollections. I enjoyed reading your little story. Thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan

 Comment Written 23-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jan-2021

Thanks, again, Jan. Jan

Comment from RetroStarfish

Good

This is a fine chapter. You've got the dialogue and the dialect down pat. One thing that's got me scratching my head, though, is that it seems your class lasts under 5 minutes. They file in, what you've described above takes about three minutes and then the lunch bell rings. Even if a minute or two is lost to the hubbub, that's still a pretty short class. If you have a point to make about how you're going to help them improve their math, better to make it in one chapter and not stretch it into two with a sudden and miraculous lunch bell.

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 Comment Written 23-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jan-2021

You've obviosly never taught school - besides, this is a class split by lunch meaning a half-class was only 26 minutes.

Comment from Susan Larson

Excellent

I relate! As a sub, I quickly learned that if you get the worst kid having your back, you'll be OK. One of those kids was Raqueem. (and I see from your review you've already met Lino) It's too long a story to write out here, but I do plan to post it when I transcribe it into a script. I'm really interested in reading more of your story. Good luck with the book.

 Comment Written 23-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 23-Jan-2021

Thanks, Susan. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from equestrik

Excellent

I taught in junior high for many years as well. There is so uch truth to the whole lunch thing!! I taught in self contained classrooms for emotionally disturbed kids with behavior problems. Lunch was a big deal!

 Comment Written 22-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Jan-2021

Lunch is a big deal at every level as I have worked from K - 12. Thanks for the review. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

Yes, it will be interesting to see what the result is for this class. Feeling sorry for the kids, they should have had help long before they reached this grade. Well written.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Jan-2021

Yes, they should have. Social promotion was one of the worst things ever done to kids. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from lancellot

Excellent

Very interesting. I'm not surprised at the students response. One reason people don't learn, is because they don't have good listening skills and patience. This is especially difficult for children to master without the right early training. I'm eager to read what happened after lunch.

notes:

"Okay, ladies and gentlemen, I spent the entire weekend reading through your permanent* records. I know now why you are so terribly frustrated in math class.["]

- add

"So whatcha gonna do about it, huh[,]" floated a statement from some gruff voice in the rear of the room.

- add

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Jan-2021

Thanks so much for your suggestions, lancellot. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from forestport12

Excellent

Some kind of career. 49 years a teacher? You should get the medal of freedom award, or perhaps have gotten hazardous duty pay. LOL Love the humor and the way you kept my attention with spot on dialogue.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Jan-2021

Thanks, forestport12. I wasn't always a teacher. I've been an assistant principal at the high school level, an elementary principal, an assistant superintendent for administrative services (1st woman in my region to be in charge of school safety, transportation, discipline, food services, etc.) I've had some interesting part-time positions since leaving the school system full-time, too, but you'll read all that as time moves on. Rdfrdmom2

Comment from Iza Deleanu

Excellent

Now days, this is call harassment by the snowflakes millennials:) but what you did, it's exactly what why would do. Thank you for sharing and good luck with your writings.

 Comment Written 21-Jan-2021

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reply by the author on 21-Jan-2021

Thanks, Iza. I began my career in a very different day, for sure. Rdfrdmom2