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Do you have ANY idea how much these kids will cost society if we do this??? We'll pay Welfare/WIC, we'll pay for prison, we'll pay for rehab and we'll pay for the damages they do.
Ever heard the saying "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? If we can find a way to motivate them now, we may not have to pay for the rest of their lives.
We CANNOT motivate the unmotivated, as long as they know they are assured room and board and security, no matter what. This is the source of their lack of motivation. They don't HAVE to put forth effort. The liberals in society will ensure that someone else pays for them, and they will take advantage of such a perverse system as long as they can.
We've CREATED the problem of future generations having no motivation. We also showed them that if they HAVE motivation, they'll end up wasting their lives in miserable jobs and have nothing to show for it--other than supporting a corrupt government and millions of programs for the "needy" that won't ever benefit the average American. Our current income tax system is the greatest de-motivator I could imagine. No matter how hard you work, the government will confiscate any discretionary income just as fast. I know for a fact that the child-free professional workaholics in my extended family have less discretionary income than those who work sporadically and produce many kids and think nothing of the future. The same will be true even when Social Security kicks in--equalized right to the end.
Why in the world should any American work hard and be motivated? I wouldn't advise youngsters to do so, having made that mistake and paid the price myself.
Thinking that we have to give the unmotivated MORE (attention, motivational speakers, counseling) is the very root of the problem, and we will never solve it until we stop subsidizing lack of motivation, and penalizing hard workers to support the lazy, the shiftless, and breeders of more "needy."
But it may. If school is something they want to spend less time at, then it maybe motivating to them to complete their work in a timely manner to avoid being there on a Saturday. Simple, negative reinforcement.
I hate housework but I find it motivating to do some everyday instead of spending the weekend cleaning. Same idea.
I just don't think that providing a sixth day and requiring unmotivated students to attend will do anything other than spend money. I do not think kids who aren't motivated to do well in school are going to magically be motivated when threatened with a sixth day.
We CANNOT motivate the unmotivated, as long as they know they are assured room and board and security, no matter what. This is the source of their lack of motivation. They don't HAVE to put forth effort. The liberals in society will ensure that someone else pays for them, and they will take advantage of such a perverse system as long as they can.
That is a vast over-generalization. Many of my students are not motivated for other reasons including dysfunction in the home, learning disabilities, depression, etc. It is beyond ridiculous to claim that children are not motivated because they are looking forward to going on welfare that they are not qualified for in the slightest. It is also downright silly to claim that children in grade or middle school or even high school are looking for a hand out based on political machinations.
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We've CREATED the problem of future generations having no motivation. We also showed them that if they HAVE motivation, they'll end up wasting their lives in miserable jobs and have nothing to show for it--other than supporting a corrupt government and millions of programs for the "needy" that won't ever benefit the average American. Our current income tax system is the greatest de-motivator I could imagine. No matter how hard you work, the government will confiscate any discretionary income just as fast. I know for a fact that the child-free professional workaholics in my extended family have less discretionary income than those who work sporadically and produce many kids and think nothing of the future. The same will be true even when Social Security kicks in--equalized right to the end.
We get it, you have an axe to grind but the fact is that is not why children are not motivated. Please show were there is any research to support your obviously politically motivated rant? Because the reality is apathy in CHILDREN crosses all political lines and is something that is not fixed by cutting taxes of the wealthy.
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Why in the world should any American work hard and be motivated? I wouldn't advise youngsters to do so, having made that mistake and paid the price myself.
Yes, more of YOUR issues, but reality check, YOU are not the typical American teenager. I would hazard a guess that you haven't been a teenager in quite some time. Apathy and the disengagement of students is a very real problem but spouting some political ideology literally does them no good and it is down right selfish to make a thread about a real issue in the classroom that can have real solution about YOUR personal political issues.
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Thinking that we have to give the unmotivated MORE (attention, motivational speakers, counseling) is the very root of the problem, and we will never solve it until we stop subsidizing lack of motivation, and penalizing hard workers to support the lazy, the shiftless, and breeders of more "needy."
We are talking about children, you do know that right? Not adults, and the reality is that children are not physiologically capable of the type of abstract reasoning to make the connect with their future with their here and now. That is why so many other children are motivated by external motivators like APPROPRIATE praise. Seriously, take it to the political forum if all you want to do is hijack a thread about solutions.
I just don't think that providing a sixth day and requiring unmotivated students to attend will do anything other than spend money. I do not think kids who aren't motivated to do well in school are going to magically be motivated when threatened with a sixth day.
Well in my school it does work. It isn't Saturday but we have one day a week were anyone on academic probation (which is solely defined as not completing work) spends an extra two hours a day after school finishing missing assignments. Never in the 4 years we have been running this program have we had a student spend two weeks in a row in academic probation. And it doesn't cost a dime since the teachers take turns manning it.
I understand you think it won't work but you seem to be ignoring the fact that negative reinforcement can help children realize that there is a benefit to completing their work in a timely manner.
Well in my school it does work. It isn't Saturday but we have one day a week were anyone on academic probation (which is solely defined as not completing work) spends an extra two hours a day after school finishing missing assignments. Never in the 4 years we have been running this program have we had a student spend two weeks in a row in academic probation. And it doesn't cost a dime since the teachers take turns manning it.
I understand you think it won't work but you seem to be ignoring the fact that negative reinforcement can help children realize that there is a benefit to completing their work in a timely manner.
The program you describe is different from what I envision (Saturday school).
The program you describe is different from what I envision (Saturday school).
So what are you envisioning the "Breakfast Club"... I think the parents should have to stay too. I bet they would find a way for there kids to start participating if it was there time.
You can try to motivate and do tricks but some children just don't care because there is no reinforcment at home. SO the class suffers, the child suffers and society suffers. So if all else fails, real life needs to kick in and negative motivation needs to take over. Just like real life. They are a few years from being adults.
The program you describe is different from what I envision (Saturday school).
They had Saturday school when I was a student. It was literally the same thing, several hours were there were no distractions during which each student must work on missing school work.
I think that is what most people mean by Saturday school. It really isn't that different than what we do it is just longer. Again, it would be a powerful negative reinforcement.
They had Saturday school when I was a student. It was literally the same thing, several hours were there were no distractions during which each student must work on missing school work.
I think that is what most people mean by Saturday school. It really isn't that different than what we do it is just longer. Again, it would be a powerful negative reinforcement.
Actually, it might be a positive reinforcement. I think some kids just get behind and don't know how to catch up so they quit. Getting the work done might give them a sense of accomplishment.
Actually, it might be a positive reinforcement. I think some kids just get behind and don't know how to catch up so they quit. Getting the work done might give them a sense of accomplishment.
I am having a hard time envisioning kids who don't do their work becoming magically motivated to do it on Saturday. I have to believe the teacher who said they do it at her (his??) school and that it works. It just doesn't make much sense to me. However, if it works, then stick with it.
Actually, it might be a positive reinforcement. I think some kids just get behind and don't know how to catch up so they quit. Getting the work done might give them a sense of accomplishment.
Try it with your students. Tell them if they don't get their work done by Friday then they will be with you in the class on Saturday to finish it up.
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We'll pay Welfare/WIC, we'll pay for prison, we'll pay for rehab and we'll pay for the damages they do. 
