Predictions

About this point in each semester I make predictions about who I think will fail.

It usually has less to do with the current grade than the current attitude.

Sometimes I can see how to change that, sometimes not.

I have a group in one class that feed on each other. There is no place to move them, so I predict a mass drowning.

Which leads me to another discussion. It appears in this school that there is a culture that leads the kids to make dumb decisions. They would rather stuff socks in their bras (for the predictable laugh) than prepare for a standardized test that will determine whether they graduate.

I have no idea how to change that culture.

I am not good at classroom management in situations like this and add a large class - forget it.

This summer I will have some time to rethink and retrain myself. Any suggestions?

Please share.