Megan dipped into the conversation at the table beside us. This guy said, "kids should want to go to school because they want to learn." Megan gave me a funny look and said, "How many kids go to school because they want to learn?"
On Sunday afternoon, we were at the Millstone BBQ in Logan eating BBQ left over from last night's rush. Laura and I took Megan, our 16 year old daughter and our niece, Lauren. We had just ordered, and our conversation wasn't keeping Megan too engaged, so she dropped into the next table to see what they had to say. And that is when she overheard this guy talking about students and their reasons to go to school.
Naturally, Megan's question caused me to think about my students and their motivation. How many show up because it is a law? Because they have to? Or because their parents make them? Do they really want to be there? How many are there because they have a ticket on the love boat, and they just want to see their crush? I know a few guys just want to play B-ball at recess in the intramural tournament. Who is showing up just to see their friends? How many are coming just to hear their teacher's funny jokes?
So, why is a twelve year old, sixth grade student coming to school every day? And what are they getting out of our school, this reading workshop, and our time together?
Riddle me this, what makes school worthwhile?
Sunday, April 13, 2008
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50 comments:
Mr.McGuire, my mom asked me why I went to school and I said to learn and to see my friends.
I come to school becaus its the law and becaus my mom and dad make me.
So, why is a twelve year old, sixth grade student coming to school every day?
this 13 year old comes to school because it is really fun. the only thing I don't like is the homework. NO MORE HOME WORK.
I come to school to learn and be successful. I don't come for friends well sometimes but that's not the point my point is to learn.
Well Mr. McGuire I come to school because I want to learn and I think school is FUN
yep
I did say that
SCHOOL IS FUN
well I know that most people would not say that but I did.
Also my dad makes me.
I do not think that you would come to school to just see your friends well I would want to see my friends but I also want to learn.
Mr.McGuire,I come to school to see my frinds Tommy, Josh and Trever. Two more resins are its the law and my mom and dad make me go.
codycardwell
I come to school because I need to learn how to do my math homework, science, social studies, and reading. I also talk to my friends.
The reason I come to school is to have fun and enjoy. To play with my friends and most important is to be smart.
The reasons I come to school are.....
Because it is fun and I enjoy it.
Because I want to learn and I do not want to be stupid.
Because I want to see my friends.
Because I want to play basketball.
Interesting reasons, by a few motivated students.
Really note-worthy are a couple of students that just come to school because they have to, or to see their friends. They can't spell or use correct punctuation. Maybe if they had more motivation to succeed, their spelling and grammar would improve.
Taylor R.
I like to see certain people at school. Plus, it's the law, and my mom and dad make me.
I come to school because I like it and i'm OK with it but I would rather be home. I also like to come to school so I can see my friends. But if my parents didn't make me I would miss more school than I do now!
Probably the only reason I go to school is because Dad makes me and I want to see my friends.Also, if my attitude's good and I'm not tired I might go because I want to and it gives me something to do. Also, I want to go for the basket ball games and soccer, don't forget the soccer!
I like to come to school because it is a challenge. I look at school like it is a game, because when you have a game and it is really easy it's not fun. When it's challenging it is fun. Plus when I get my report card it tells me how good I did at the game (how good I did at school).
Mr. McGuire i come to school because,
I like seeing my friends everyday.
I want to get smarter and learn so i can get my college degree.
I enjoy school.
I especially want to become a better language arts student,(which i got my first B in).
I am motivated to come by mom and dad, they urge me to keep my grades up and that is a lot easier when you have no missing assignments or make-up work!
That is my motivation to come to school .
If I have a good night sleep and had a good morning it affects how I do in school and how I feel toward school.
If my parents said you don't have to go to school today I would not be here everyday every week.
I come to see my friends sometimes to learn if we do something fun like a experiment in science or a fun report in social studies I would not mind to learn about that stuff.
I posted the last comment with the good or bad morning.
O and no fence but i can't wait until middle school. Fun,fun,fun,fun,fun, my sis says middle school is a lot of fun.
What got Megan so interested in a conversation as such? Kind of weird and random topic but it works!!
I come to school because of friends and because of basket ball and soccer. And if I don't go to school I would just get stupid and I wouldn't be able to get a good career. But sometimes I come to school because I want to. Those are some of the reasons I come to school.
The reasons why I come to school are...
1. Well I have to by law
2. learning is is fun to me.
3. I get to play basketball.
4. I get to talk to friends.
5. It will help me get a good job in the future.
6. How are you going to get smart just sitting at home. (Home school does not count).
The only thing that is good about school is recess. My parents always make me go to school, and acting like your sick to my parents never work.
My mom and dad asked me why do i go to school. I said because i learn stuff and I think it is fun. I get to see my friends I no some people think school is not fun but I do.
It is really interesting how many students think school is fun. I guess I must not be mean enough! :)
Seriously, it makes me feel really good to know that so many students enjoy school.
Dillon, you asked, "What got Megan so interested in a conversation as such? Kind of weird and random topic but it works!!"
Megan is like her dad, kind of weird and random. I think her shock was that a parent expected his child to want to go to school to learn. I guess she thought parents would only want their children to go to socialize.
That brings up the question: hey parents, why do you want your child to go to school?
C'mon Kim, Kristy, Susan, Steph, Lisa, and all of you other parents, why do you push your child to be a good student?
I encourage my children to make the most of their lives. I want them to be happy, healthy, successful adults.
I have always stressed to the girls that school is important. And, I try to emphasis to my girls how important it is to learn all that you can from the people around you and the experiences you go through. What may not make sense now may be a very valuable tool later in life.
I have always told my girls (Katie, Kari, and Jess) that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to if they work hard and believe in themselves!! They hear me say "The sky is the limit" quite often!!!!
And, of course, I am very supportive of my girls education I am still a student myself!!
I am a senior industrial engineering student!
Kim, thanks for posting.
I have always told my girls (Katie, Kari, and Jess) that they could accomplish anything they set their minds to if they work hard and believe in themselves!!
This says it all!
Pops, I come to school because I'm pretty sure it's not optional? I have to...
Oh yeah, and because I don't want to be a bum when I grow up.
Mr. McGuire,
I push Alina to do her best (still not getting that out of her yet:P ) because she is a very smart child. She could be anything she wanted to be if she would put her mind to it. I don't believe success is necessarily having all A's or the highest paying job. I believe success is found in doing your best and finding your purpose. I don't want Alina to settle for second or third rate (grades now or in "life") because she is too lazy to do her best. School is where you learn and practice the skills and habits that will shape the rest of your life.
Kristy
I come to school because I want to grow up to be smart, and not a big person with a dumb brain. But I also come to school to see my friends to be honest. School is fun for the most part. This is why this sixth grader comes to school.
Mr.McGuire I come to school to learn because I want to go to college.Because If I go to college then I can become successful. Another reason i come to school is to see all my friends. (Shayna Katie Kari Brianne Jennie my homie c etc.) Thats why I come to school.
I want to go to school next year because at the end of the 9 weeks if you get A's or B's or C's you get to do something really fun like have a pizza party or a dodge ball tournament. And because I want to learn and not be a bum when I get older.
Me and My brothers we come to school because if we don't we have to stay home and we have to go in our rooms and go to sleep in tell school is over. I will give an example of my brother Cole some times he like to go to school but on Mondays he says I don't want to go to school.
I only come to school because my mom makes me go. Well, I guess school is fun because you get to see your friends.
Kristy,
Your hope for Alina is my hope for all of the students in Reading Workshop. I tell students, "all I want is your best."
Mr. McGuire
The question is - how do we as parents and teachers get our children to want the same thing for themselves?
Kristy
Dear Mr. McGuire,
I know your favorite thing to do is side with the girls. Although i know they are correct, I txt message people on my phone A LOT and therefor used to saying no fence! I also say these things when I txt, u, r, ur and even ttyl(talk to you later). So iI am sorry but I am so used to it, that is the first thing that comes to my mind.
Sincerely,
Dillon Young
Hi, hmm... very interesting.
But beyond those reasons... I want to share how kids in some part of the Philippines come to school. For most most of them, they travel kilometers away from home to go to school... by foot. Some, unfortunately, doesn't have any shoes nor sandals.. just bare feet. It's a pity feeling how they still come to school in spite of all the circumstances... coz all they hold on is the hope that someday, when they finish studies, they can work decently for his family to be fed.. thrice a day.
Pinoy,
Thank you for your post. So often, we take for granted the great opportunity before us. Unfortunately, we sometimes waste it. And, what a credit to your students for the supreme effort they put forward.
I push my children to do their very best in everything they do. Every opportunity in life, including school, can be a learning/teachable moment. We all have a sphere of influence and impact the world around us in significant ways, even as kids in the 6th grade. We can impact our world for good or bad. We each make choices every day about our attitude to learn. Why not look at learning and school as an adventure? I believe school is important preparation time for my children's future.
Annette,
Your comment, Why not look at learning and school as an adventure? is similar to Josh Payne's I like to come to school because it is a challenge. I look at school like it is a game...
Both look at school with an attitude of getting the most out of an opportunity. I agree, life is for living!
Mr.McGuire,
I encourage both of my boys (Trevor & Brayden) to learn all they can now while they are in school. I think all parents want that for their children. Your knowlege will get you everywhere you want to go in the future. When you grow up it is a tough world out there. And it just keeps on getting tougher! Take advantage of the time you have now to learn all you can. When you get out in the real world there are no free lunches! Go to school and learn and have fun. You are only a kid once so enjoy it!
P.S. I'll have my eyes peeled for the McGuire family when we go out to eat!!
Steph Swackhamer
Steph,
Thanks for the comment. I find it really interesting to hear parents' attitude about reading and learning. When there is a format, like this, to discuss education, your response, and that of other parents, shows a notable value placed on education, and living with a positive attitude.
I would like to go to OSU and get a doctorates degree. I guess going to school isn't going to hurt that goal.
I like going to school that way I wont be a totally dummy. My Uncle(I'm not going to say his name), he had dropped out of school in the middle of 7th grade, and when he got older, he couldn't get a good career. And today, he doesn't even have a job, his wife is the one that works. He is honestly the dumbest ADULT I have ever met. My mom talks about him, and so does my moms sister, and they think that me and my cousin Kassie Smith(one year older than me) are both smarter than him, and I agree. That is something that makes me want to go to school. I don't want to be like him, and I hate it when family members try to compare me to him and Kassie.
Frist of all i would like to say sorry for leaving you this comment so late, but better now then never right? OK well to be truthful i come to school because friends and basketball also i come to school because i can learn I'm not saying i like sitting in a seat doing work or having to listen to all the boring stuff coming out of teacher's mouth's no offense but it can be fun somtimes but i mean come on sitting at home on your butt or playing around is not going to make you smart!
I come to school because my grandma makes me and that i can see my friens :-)
Catherine,
It makes me feel proud of you to know that you want to be smart and being successful matters.
Dimitri has been a member of our household since the first of Oct. In that time we have seen a big change in his attitude and feel he is doing much better. We believe that he is one smart kid and needs to tunnel all his energy in the right direction. He seems to enjoy school at Laurelville and we try to encourage him in everything he does.
Betty,
Thanks for writing. I am pleased with Dimitri's progress also. He is really working to make himself successful!
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