Am I an Evil Teacher?

[Marseeya]

1. It's on the State reading list
2. It's a classic that they are sure to encounter later in life - look at this very discussion
3. Great for teaching themes on sin, the nature of evil, identity within society, and hypocrisy
4. Great for teaching symbolism
5. I like the story

Just wanted to chime in with my 2 cents I don't think you're evil at all for holding them to a deadline. I'm one who works best under pressure, so I do almost everything at the last minute. If I'd left my book in a school locker, you can bet I'd be reading the online version, going to the library, or heading to a bookstore.

I do want to comment on your #2 reason though. I've never read The Scarlet Letter and my life hasn't suffered unduly from that lack. I somehow managed to earn a BA in English lit without ever having read it, I spent some time working on my masters in English lit without ever having read it, and I'm currently working on my masters in secondary ed in language arts. And guess what? I probably will still never read it. Oh how my educational endeavors must be such a waste without a Hawthorne novel under my belt!

 

[DemonLlama]

Gosh I guess I will be the one to say you are evil.... Some kids do pretty darn good work at the last minute.

My first thought: the kids that do "pretty darn good work at the last minute" are capable of doing far superior work if they would not wait until the last minute. I was one of those kids, and until a teacher made me really stretch myself and do more than a quick, last minute job, I never realized how much better I could do, even though I was getting As on my last minute stuff. I was so grateful when I got into college and grad school, because I was prepared to manage my time, really research, read critically, and engage in higher order thinking skills.

Who is to say that some kids didn't leave their notes in their lockers?

But how is this relevant to extending a deadline? They should be responsible enough to manage their time and their materials so that they can complete the assignment that they have had three weeks to complete.

As a college teacher myself now, I want to thank Sirius for trying to teach kids that they are accountable. Too many 18 year olds come into my course and are shocked that I stand by deadlines, no excuses, no extensions.

Guess that makes me a hard *&^ too.

 

[CheshireVal]

I do want to comment on your #2 reason though. I've never read The Scarlet Letter and my life hasn't suffered unduly from that lack. I somehow managed to earn a BA in English lit without ever having read it, I spent some time working on my masters in English lit without ever having read it, and I'm currently working on my masters in secondary ed in language arts.

Sacrilege! Get thee to a library!

 

[SDFgirl]

To all those who finished the assignment by Monday, I would give bonus points. That way they are rewarded for being prepared.

To those who didn't finish, I would not penalize. I'd give them until Tuesday or Wednesday, but they will not get the bonus points.

 

[drakethib]

I assigned a novel 3 weeks ago, and it is due Monday.

Today at school, we had to evacuate the building. School was cancelled at midday (during the evacuation) and there is no school tomorrow. Several students, mostly those who could drive, left without retrieving belongings left in classrooms. This afternoon, I sent an email to all of my students and reminded them that the novel is still due on Monday. One student emailed me back and said he had left his book at school, could not get it until Monday, and had no way to finish the novel. So, I sent all of my students this link: http://www.bartleby.com/83/ It's an online version of the novel.

So, am I an evil teacher, or am I simply being prudent?

I am trying to remeber back when I was a student, but they did have 3 weeks and you were good enough to email a reminder and sent them a link with an online version so I think you are being more then fair.

 

[Marseeya]

Sacrilege! Get thee to a library!

Will Sparks Notes do?

 

[Sirius]

I am wondering why the school was evacuated? Was it due to no water as you said that is why you are not having school tomorrow? Were some of the kids worried about what was going on and that is why they didn't go back in?

No, as soon as the principal said school was cancelled, they were off and running.

As to the evac., most thought it was a fire drill at first. Actually, a fire sprinkler had been accidentally ruptured. Six class rooms flooded. It was a terrible mess. The water had to be cut off for a while - I guess the fix the sprinkler. No water equals no school. The students knew what was happening before most of the teachers.

 

[Sirius]

I'm sticking to the deadline unless school is out on Monday - which seems unlikely. Actually, of the 58 students I emailed and called, only one has complained. I think that's a fair ratio.

Thanks again for all the replies...