Reality Check
IB History students:
I was worried you were going to hit the wall at some point this school year and I think that it's happened. I know you are of sick of me and I'm a little tired of some of you (sarcasm), but I don't want you to lose hope or shut down on me. I know the IB curriculum can be a bit grueling, but you knew this when YOU CHOSE to do IB. Learning is a two-way street, you have to be willing do the work and I have to be willing to help you make sense of history. This is not to say that everyone isn't doing the work, I know you are, but if you are struggling you need to let me know so I can HELP you.
I don't want anyone leaving my class hating history. I know you may not love every single topic, and neither do I, but I hope you still see the historical relevance of every topic we cover. I feel like I do everything in my power (besides juggling fire) to make even the less interesting topics relevant to you.
Tomorrow you will see what the future could hold when it comes to studying history.
posted by Mr. Carlisle at 4:47 PM
35 Comments:
"Tomorrow you will see what the future could hold when it comes to studying history". does that mean tomorrow is good or bad?
5:23 PM
It's nothing to stress about Joel. However, I'm about 98% certain that reading quizzes are going up to 15 points.
5:36 PM
Juggling fire would be cool...
Yeah, excuses suck, but I feel like I need to explain why I've been doing so poor on the reading quizzes as of late. Main thing is, all of 1st semester, I had no homework other than this class; that changed this semester, so I'm still adjusting to juggling the workload.
Hopefully I'll be able to get it together by next week.
5:50 PM
I understand Casey. I just don't want people getting into the same trap as last semester where they need every single point b/c they did poorly on reading quiz after reading quiz.
6:16 PM
Something I've been thinking about for a while:
While the 15 points for an RQ would make it impact our grades more, it also makes it easier to get a good grade.
When they were 5, you couldn't even miss one point if you wanted an A, now that they're 10, you can miss a point and still get that A.
I don't know, I guess I'm just trying to put some positive spin on this.
6:33 PM
Random, but interesting.
6:41 PM
dont worry carlisle, i think we can all step up, anyways today is hump day soo maybe that could be a reason for the frustrating day......after this reading quiz (which was bad due to my thinking about the triangle company) i am going to make it my goal to do very well on reading quizes in the near future, period.
6:51 PM
I like history! It's actually my favorite class.
side question: Does anything interesting or unique ever happen in Canada? Seems like they really did just copy us.
6:59 PM
I dunno what's happening, I had a streak where I got a ton of 10s in a row, but I'm pretty sure I got zeros on the last two. I'm just having a bit of a slip-up and it's frustrating, but I'm working on it. I really am doing the reading and I don't hate History. At all. I really enjoy it actually.
Unrelated note: Psychology is tight, Mr. Carlisle. I'm enjoying that class a lot so far.
7:23 PM
Nicole,
Glad you like Psych. I hope you like it so much you take IB Psych. I'm sure lots of people in your class can give you a positive testimonial about it. Just wait, the class and the topics will get more interesting.
Charlotte,
Thanks for the kind words. In regards to your Canada questions. No. Yes.
7:35 PM
hey carlisle, i wonder what it would be like if we got readings from websites instead of packets....i think it would be kind of a nice idea and also it would save a bunch of trees....but the problem with that is for the people without internet access....what do you think of this idea?
7:35 PM
John,
That's an interesting idea. However, I think it's a little unworkable for several reasons:
1. We can't find all of the readings online.
2. Would you really want to stare at your computer screen for 25 pages of reading.
3. Read a paragraph, click. Read a paragraph, Myspace. Too many distractions.
4. Not everyone has easy Internet access at home.
Good idea. Next year Unis and I are going to have a reader like Caro.
7:50 PM
Seriously though, could you juggle fire? I'm sure it would increase my attention, even more so if you do it on your bike.
7:57 PM
Wow I am actually on the blog. Shows you how bored I am. Oh well, that was some reading.
8:57 PM
I'm so bored that I'm actually responding to your lame comment Andy.
9:41 PM
We don't have a computer installed in the ceiling over my student's bed, so the online readings won't work. You do know that studies have shown that students who read very late at night, or early in the morning, in extremely low-light, preferably with drool seeping out of the corners of their mouths score exceptionally better on reading quizzes, don't you? OK Now I will be banned for another month. I hope it was worth it. It's the novocaine sweetie....blame it on the novocaine.
9:42 PM
Karen,
Roger that. Wake up call is coming tomorrow.
9:44 PM
While I'm on a roll, is there some particular symbolism...
Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras = Super Tuesday 2008?
I know there's some significance there.
9:46 PM
I thank you for you heartfelt response, I feel much better now.
9:48 PM
i find it highly ironic that she said that becuase i am the one who fell asleep during the reading cuz im so tired. and im pretty sure i didnt do well on that rq! i even dropped guitar so i could focus more on this class and get an A!!!!
9:54 PM
And we are proud of your decision. Those guitar scholarships are mighty hard to come by...but they hand out lotsa history scholarships.
Now read or go to bed.
9:56 PM
Hahaha, it's mostly excuses. And I don't think you should have to encumber the class or slow it down to cater to certain people who can't fulfill their end of the deal.
9:57 PM
Andy,
I do my best.
Haley,
Read!
9:57 PM
Kyle,
I'm with you on that. I'm not slowing the class down or changing it in any way. I just have something to show both classes that will hopefully grab everyone's attention.
9:59 PM
she keeps talking to me! and she came into my office to use my computer! and then batted my hand when i reached for my glasses and reading! grrr. parents.
10:00 PM
Kyle,
Don't take this personally, but you seem miserable in class. Sorry to be blunt, but I'm just stating what I see in class. Are you waiting for a particular unit to get all fired up and say a bunch of stuff and then go back to dormant mode again or what?
10:01 PM
Haley,
You have an office?!? Do you have an executive assistant as well?
10:02 PM
haha. be quiet! its the guest room that has an extra ooooold computer in it and my parents have an office so i call my room "my" office. why am i explaining myself to u? and yes my mommy is an/my executive assistant. :P
10:05 PM
anyone here i just got home from skateboarding?
10:06 PM
did anyone read the one comment that i left on Feb 6th, the other post?
10:07 PM
Labor unions are great stuff, and very very important. They help my very way of life (my dad is a Teamster). So I dunno, I acknowledge their awesomeness, but I'm not enthusiastic, I guess because I've kinda got it for years, and that is that. I'm past fanatical and enthusiastic, and into acceptance and acknowledgment.
I dunno, whenever something is good enough I guess. Burnt out?
10:09 PM
Carlisle-
I completely understand where are you are coming from with your temptation to up the reading quizzes to 15 points. However, (I bet you knew that word was coming! hehe) you should give kids more than a week to settle into this semester. For me, this semester is delightful because IB Seminar replaced the dreaded English, but for some kids it is the opposite. I mean, I failed (literally!) my first Bio test because I was in shock from IB (luckily i could retake it). that same freak out situation could be the reason for that pink line under Reading Quiz #457. =/ =)
I'm not asking you to make the class easier or give in to laziness, just give it a little more time. =)
10:13 PM
i just have to say that this text is hard to read even with reading glasses... the letters are only half there.
10:14 PM
I'm gonna guess on what Carlisle means.
You know how he sometimes talks about how we might get a college professor who just lectures in a monotonous tone and gives us boring readings?
Yeah... I've never wanted to be more wrong...
10:25 PM
Mr. Carlisle,
I think you should stop worrying so much about us failing reading quizzes. You're already the most involved teacher out of all my teachers as it is. If we don't read and fail the reading quizzes, it's our own faults really. There's not that much more you can do to get certain people psyched about history because it's ultimately their choice. And of course, once in a while even if we do read we just can't remember sometimes. The readings aren't too hard and the reading quizz questions usually are not obscure. I think some people just don't utilize study techniques like taking notes, highlighting, etc. And as IB students and (hopefully) college bound kids, we should be prepared for a more rigorous curriculum.
So in conclusion I think you're playing your part and we just need to pick up the slack.
1:25 AM
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