Yesterday I volunteered to read a social studies exam to a student who has difficulty with reading comprehension. We made good progress on the paragraph questions because we had to work together to generate ideas and get them written down, but it all fell apart on the maps. Very basic questions - name the continents or label the provinces and capitals of Canada, for example - and because he was doing it himself, it was bizarrely wrong. Like, Hudson Bay was labelled Quebec kind of wrong.
I always find myself examining my morality in these situations. I hate to see students fail more than anything, but in testing situations I can't lead them to the answers. I can only nudge and hope. The result is that when they do well, I wonder if I loaded the dice...and when they do poorly, I wonder if I did enough. Sigh.
Still, I have to admit that 2 hours spend with an illiterate child really resets your priorities. Also, it's one of those things that gives you a holy glow inside. Can't be upset at that.
* * *
This afternoon I walked up the hill with Mr. Avalanche and we discussed our basic alienation from the people on the good ship Education. He and his girlfriend seem to be in a similar situation as the Boy and I - far from home, isolated and mainly reliant on each other for amusement. The ironic thing is that after this conversation, I feel close to developing a real friendship with Mr. Avalanche, the kind that won't fade away after graduation. Weird.
* * *
This week is crutching by. I haven't felt like myself in ages; I don't even remember what it's like to be secure and happy. Not that I'm unhappy; just restless. I need to know if I will pass. All other concerns are most ephemeral.
* * *
2 years ago today:
the boy: these people are offering wedding firework solutions.
me: yeah, because we obviously have a wedding firework problem.
