I used to never understand the phrase "Beating a dead horse", but since I have been teaching, I get it. This past week, book reports were due in my class. The students received the instructions the first week of school along with all of the due dates for the year. I also showed them how to complete the report in MLA format, and also, how to Google directions for MLA. Along with that, I created two book report examples and read through them with all of my classes. You would think that after all of this preparation and completing four book reports previously, my students would have it down. How wrong that thought is!
On Monday and Tuesday (the days before book reports were due), I showed the examples to my students again, and we discussed MLA format. I thought for sure this time I would be able to read the book reports and see that the format was perfect for every report. Wrong! At least ten in each class period had the format wrong, and I kept telling people, "I'm beating a dead horse." I even went in to colleagues and asked them how I could better teach MLA format to my students. They had no idea, but they kept telling me to beat the dead horse because eventually the students will get it. I just hope that they do. I guess even if only 20 in each class get it then it is worth it, and I keep beating the dead horse in hopes that the other 10 who didn't get it right will get it right next time. Or, they will finally catch on their junior or senior year, or maybe even when they get to college. I have to keep my hopes up, and I have to remember that sometimes beating a dead horse will get results, eventually.
I don't think the horse is dead, but I'm not sure it is entirely functioning, either. :) Actual conversation about a recent paper: C: I don't get how to do this. It has to be all MLA and stuff." Mom: "MLA? Like formatted and such?" C: "I don't know. She didn't really explain it." Mom:"Do you have any examples or handouts about it?" C: "I dunno. Maybe. I don't think so." Scrounges through backpack. "I think maybe this is." C produces 6 or 7 handouts outlining the entire format, examples listed for each and every possible variation he may encounter. Mom: "Chase! Everything you need is right here! Just follow the examples!" C: "What?! I had to read the story we are writing about. You mean I have to read that too??"
ReplyDeleteExcuse me whilst I got beat my head against the wall...... Hang in there friend!