Monday, June 27, 2011

"I don't know what to put in it" (whine, whine, whine)

Going back to Sherrie's discuss this afternoon about revision. This is a phrase that I hear OFTEN from certain students in particular. They'll show me their work. I'll tell them that I really like their ideas and what else can they add to it? What else can they tell me? The response: "But I can't think of anything else!" Followed by pouty lip and much whining. I tell them, "Yes, you can. Now go work on it. Maybe your friend might have an idea." They are gone 2 seconds (the amount of time that it takes to walk to their chairs and back to me. They repeat, "But I can't think of anything!" Translated means - I don't want to work on this anymore. It is too hard. You should do it for me. How frustrating!!! Anyone else have this problem?
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5 comments:

  1. Chris BJune 27, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    I tell mine to think deeper. I ask for specific details about a general statement in their writing. I ask what happened as a result, what happened before? Why is a question they hate to hear. What did you learn? What emotions did you feel? I ask that kind of stuff and usually get results, and more whining.

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  2. TracyJune 27, 2011 at 1:00 PM

    Yes, they don't want to put forth the effort because they think what they turned in is great.

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  3. MeganJune 27, 2011 at 1:03 PM

    Yes! Or students asking, "You show me how," (so they can just go on auto-pilot and follow your example). I remember I was asking one of my flute teachers to play everything for me when I was in grade school. She caught onto my schemes and started making me try out playing the pieces first. Then, she would come along and help after I had tried. Trying is half the battle!

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  4. EthelJune 27, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    Yes, it happens in 2nd grade too. I was just imagining my students going back to their desks and coming right back to me to tell me the same thing. If I ask them what they did over the weekend, some will tell me nothing. I then go on to tell them that they sat in a chair and didn't move, they didn't eat anything, or sleep or play and of course they say they did. I tell them to write about those experiences.

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  5. Mary AnnJune 28, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Have we instilled in them as Sherri puts it the SPOON FEEDING MODE?

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