My students are writing allegorical tales regarding a "terrible thing" (Like Eve Bunting's children's story, "Terrible Things" which is an allegory of the holocaust) such as global warming, AIDS, famine, war, racism, etc. We are reading Night and I thought it would be a nice way to "lighten" the unit, since it is heavy and I have timed it during genocide awareness month. The lesson is going very well, except for the little horny twirp that always makes innuendos in class. That's it, I've had it with this brat - you're walking here, but you're limping back.
First, early in the semester he wrote numerous things that were on the border of offensive, for example, when I asked my students to write two examples of assonance and consonance he wrote something like "teacher is delicious, booticious, and malicious." Strike one. I called home. He was somewhat embarrassed and I have been in touch with mom.
Second, he always says things that are on the border of inappropriate. Does he practice being this annoying, or is it a natural talent. I explain that his comments are offensive to all the girls in this class and that I don't want to warn him ever again.
Third, his story is going to be about aids. He wanted to have an animal named "magic" and I said that better not be referring to a certain basketball player. He laughed and said, "Ok Mrs. (name) you got me." I told him that he can write it but when I check the draft, if there is one thing that is offensive, it's an automatic re-write. Period.
So I collected the draft, and of course, it's totally, absolutely offensive. Sexual stuff, based on a kid who likes chocolate ice cream and a kid who likes cherry. Racist actually, and last night I decided I am taking this kid down. That's it. Dr. Evil is coming out. I am the daughter of an olympic boxer.
So, today I am emailing mom, pulling him aside, and giving him an automatic F if he doesn't totally change the story by tomorrow. I will also be inviting mom to class. Let her sit with him, maybe his excessive hubris will be deflated. How's that for dessert?
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2 comments:
whoa nice, you don't mess around.
I must confess, I always struggle with inappropriate content.
maybe because I teach creative writing and filmmaking - I've come to expect so much of the writing to be inappropriate or edgy. it'd be an interesting conversation in which we try to determine where to draw the line.
I think the line about teacher is delicious, booticious, malicious is so funny and awful at once. the trouble is that I often forget to filter my behavior as a teacher through my teacher filter. At my school, so many of the teachers go by first names, and because the students are "artists" they are given so much reign.
I'm not sure that is always a Good Thing.
nonetheless, your post gives me confidence to stick with my gut reaction and if it seems inappriate, to feel justified in taking action.
please let me know the look on the kids face when he's got his mom next to him in class!
I didn't mess around at all. I have taught creative writing and my husband worked in film for many years before entering teaching (he was a boom operator and set photographer).
Here's the thing. Edgy and hip do not equal talent. I draw the line when things are sexist, broad, opinionated and arrogant. There's a lot of bad writing out there. SOme people enter the arts because it's cool and rebellious without giving the arts the depth of thought it deserves. I always tell them that emulating an artist does not make you an artist. THe artists you emulate never tried emulating anyone else. I model my behavior in a way that can come off conservative, but my opinions are quite left and liberal. For example, I had a student when I taught here at state that told me "I write best when I'm stoned." So I gave him a copy (this was 1996) of a Frank Zappa CD and a sticker that said Zappa's quote "DOPE. YOU ARE WHAT YOU USE." and the kid got a kick out of it.
I am not in a cool contest. I can give a rat's ass what a student thinks of me really. I just want to do my job and I have found that kids love authenticity. When I tell them that I used to read a thesaurus and was a total nerd in high school they get a major kick out of it. Authenticity is it. Kids want their world to be theirs. That's my opinion really. Inappropriate content is unacceptable (think of Niki Giovanni addressing the nutcase in Virginia Tech - she said "he wasn't depressed or problematic, he was plain mean."
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