School Starts, Getting into a routine is hard

    School has started and both classes seem pretty polite. Or maybe it's partly that they don't remember a damn thing about logic and are trying to get it all down. The fourth class I had them read and then write about a few "case studies," judgments concerning the  use of guns and cell phones. I hope they were at least a little interested in it. It was hard to tell.
    One student wanted to "sit out" the class and told me so. He said it was "too nice" outside. I said we would go on a class walk next week, and would he come to this class? He did and I hope he thought he made the right choice. This generation of college students is very distractible. I hope they are learning something-- we'll see with the first quiz next week.
   I'm getting into the "school" routine, but not the writing routine. Both things are very isolating and wish I was doing this "more" with someone. But that is the nature of both. I am a very independent person anyway, I guess, but sometimes I would like someone here to confer with and encourage me with my writing.

Do Students Have Manners Anymore?

    Do students today have any idea what "manners" or classroom etiquette is? I had to tell my college sophomores they were acting like ninth graders as they mostly "talk over" me when I am explaining something to them. Although it is a "Core" class that is required and some of it may be review, is that any excuse to not be polite and listen for a change?
     If Judith Martin, "Miss Manners" in the papers, were to come to my one overly talkative class, what would she say? I think young people today want to have it all. They want everything to be their way as they have been spoiled by their parents, many of whom have good paying jobs and have given them everything their heart desires. And when it comes to college, since they are away from Mom and Dad and are on their own, they tend to do things not in an adult fashion but in a "know-it-all" fashion, not respecting the instructor as they think they know better. They know more than moi, their teacher? I don't think so.
     And I don't even have a huge class. I saw a commercial where candidate Mitt Romney for president said only teachers' unions were interested in smaller classes in public schools.No, kids don't want to be in a huge class either. And some of them want to listen and learn.
      But as I am teaching older students you would think they would know better. I actually moved some students (and one emailed me to complain) but I guess you can't please everyone. Teaching is a stressful profession (and college adjuncts are certainly not paid for the work that they do). I'd just like some constructive conversation in the class. Is that asking too much?

Students will be students, life in general

     I guess students will be students. Some of them are fairly diligent, some fall far behind. I have several who haven't even bothered to pick up the assignment that is 25 percent of their grade!
     I shouldn't take it personally that some of them are just sorry. But teaching can be a frustrating thing. Students don't listen much anymore. They would rather be on their cell phone texting, I guess.
     I was going to go on a hike with the NRV Outdoor Rec club Sunday, but it turned out to be wet and cold and cancelled out on Saturday night. I was looking forward to that little adventure. I have so little adventure in my life. Some would say writing is an adventure. It is more a frustration sometimes. You write and you try to get noticed, but it is difficult to make that happen. I'm no Stephen King. (Should I be?)
     It is wet and dreary today too. I hope the leaves don't all fall before I take my classes on a "leaf collecting" expedition!