it's amazing how spring break feels like one million years ago.

the honors kids are cracking up. one of the most hard-working (and passive-aggressive) students shouted at me today. the gist of what she said was ... "you're making this class too hard. if the average on the test is a 25/50, then you're doing something wrong. it's not fair that you're giving us ap work when we're not getting ap credit [they just get "advanced standing" written on the transcript]. you need to change the way you teach and grade this class so i can still get an a in this class and not screw up my gpa."

i was a little taken aback. it's not like the honors kids to get that confrontational. they're much better at calling me a bitch behind my back in spanish class. but what can i say? i'm already curving tests, which i never do, AND i'm allowing kids their notes on the reading quizzes. those are huge allowances already, as far as i'm concerned. if they are going to take ap ... they better step up and BAT, as far as i'm concerned, otherwise next year is going to be "a little bitch," as the illustrious b.e.t. would say.

my mom would say that i'm a hardass meanface. and maybe i am ... but i honestly believe that if all the kvetching from the honors kids about how i'm too stupid to teach their honors classes is being answered mightily by a more rigorous and challenging curriculum ... get ON the train, or get off it, honey. i don't have the time or the wherewithal to listen to your whining. plus, i don't think it's an appropriate thing to ask a teacher: "change my grade! i demand service! lower your standards so i still get an a!" i think i'm going to stand my ground on this one.

and finally, i feel like i'm giving honors exactly what they've been asking for -- some REAL learning. sorry you can't memorize your way through this class. ya gotta think, shock of shocks. and i feel good about that.

stop crying.