Tell me why...

I dont like Mondays.   - Boomtown Rats

A general consensus is that most people don't like Mondays, and after a long holiday, the dislike for Mondays often morphs in into a general hate.  Unfortunately Mondays are the wake up alarm for the week, and like it or not, both teacher and student must be prepared to work through the the dilemma of Monday mornings together.  If either side of this equation is not pulling fair their share of the load, problems will arise.  Which was the case this past Monday morning, and every Monday morning I have had this semester with my 9:30 Monday morning students (they don't do their fair share). .  What I find odd is that the 11:20 class which I teach (on Mondays) is the polar opposite of the 9:30 class, even though these 2 classes share the same major.  Ying, say hello to Yang.

I have informed the  students (several times) that if they don't have books and note books, then their homework grade suffers, which in turn will hurt their over all grade.  Yet 50% of the 9:30 class just doesn't seem to care.  With this being the situation, I am at my wits end. This is not a problem that I alone share,  When I walk by Korean teachers' classes, I will often see students sleeping in class, talking to peers, or using their cellphones.  I am unsure if this is a cultural norm, or some of the teachers (at my school) care less than the students.  Or are the Korean teachers hoping that the mandatory military service will straightened out some of the male students. I realize that I am the one who has to adjust to rules of the country, and my employer, not vice versa, so I try not to judge too harshly.

To add to the problem,  Mid Terms are this week, and unless these students have an amazing habit of "turning it on" when tests roll around, or resort to cheating, they are going to get very poor grades.    By the way, cheating is a BIG "no no"in my classes.  I do intend on giving a lot of make-up homework for poor grades and late assignments, each student will be given ample opportunity to pass.  But what will these students learn? That they can get by in life putting forth minimal effort? UGGGH. Perhaps it's time to lower the boom.  A student is not allowed in class unless he/she has a text book, a notebook and a pen. Which means they will have minus 3 points for an absence. Many of these students are more concerned about their attendance than they are about learning. A little scare tactic may be just what my 9;30 class needs.  If students do have all the material the following week, I will give them back the minus 3 points which they loss the previous week.  This can be a one time offer.

Fortunately the rest of my classes are "A" to the "WE" to the "S"-"O"-"M"-"E"... But Monday, 9:30.... Yikes!  What a way to start a week.