R. E. S. P. E. C. T.

Yesterday was the dreaded suffix quiz for my sophomore English class.  They have had (once again) about two weeks to study for this quiz.  First period, immediately after they start on the quiz, I start getting all the questions.  "If everyone fails, can we retake this?" and the like.  I don't like to give retakes or anything like that.  Students should be responsible for learning the material for the required time.  That is how I feel about.  Of course, I told them if EVERYONE failed that I would have to do something different.  I knew they wouldn't all fail. And I know that the SOUTH KOREAN foreign exchange student, upon glancing, looks like he got  one hundred percent correct.  

Fast forward.  Sixth period.  "Do you know all these suffixes?"  I was asked by a student.  

"Yes, of course I do."

"Then tell me what 'ade' means."

"I do not have to. I am not taking a quiz.  I passed high school and college and grad school just fine."

"If you're so intelligent, tell me what it means."

"I do not have to prove anything to you or any other student."

"Then I've lost all respect for you as my teacher."

This was the moment that I got angry and walked out of the room and down the hall to ask if anyone would like to take my class for a few minutes.  And someone did.  And another person also went in and talked to them for a few minutes.

I went back and we had our quiz.  Very quietly, we had our quiz.  

Normally this student wouldn't have been blurting out such a harsh statement.  He is an overall good kid.  He makes good grades and is a higher level thinker than most of the other students I have.  

It's hard to understand why a student would challenge you so when you are VERY MUCH ON THEIR SIDE.  I am a supporter of this kid.  He's kinda nerdy so I root for him, you know?  So it's shocking in a not-so-good way when this happens.

I was angry for about ten minutes, then I moved on.  During passing period between 7th and 8th periods, he apologized to me.  I'm glad.  I didn't want to be angry with this kid for too long.  He's a good kid.

My guess is that he was angry that he was about to fail my quiz.

I also gave both of those classes the "choice" lecture.  If you choose not to study, etc.  Twice.