* Gave short vocabulary quiz (with six words taken from the first eight assigned readings).
* Began discussing readings #9 and #10.
2. Class analysis:
Monday's 1539 class began quite normally. Nikki started class by writing six vocabulary words on the board, and students were required to define and write a sentence about each word. Even though the quiz was originally scheduled for Nov. 2 (and Nikki had given out vocabulary lists around two or three weeks ago), students seemed extremely resistant. One student commented, "I didn't think you were serious about the quiz." Another asked, "What do you do when all your students do bad on the quiz?" probably expecting that Nikki would drop the quiz grade if she complained enough. Additionally, an overwhelming majority of the students continued to complain and eat their lunches (even though Nikki had asked them to not do so last week) throughout the quiz. Four students also walked in extremely late (like by 25 minutes).
It was obvious that Nikki was becoming displeased with the class, and she even admitted it both to the students and, privately, to me. After the quiz, Nikki began to discuss the readings and some techniques used in a good argumentative essay. Students continued to grumble about the quiz and rummage through their lunch bags. Honestly, no one was paying attention. Nikki immediately recognized this and responded accordingly. She knew that, at this point, her students' attitudes were not going to improve, and she subsequently ended class 15 minutes early (and told students that they'd be quizzed Wednesday on the readings).
At this point, 1539 became INTENSE. One of the more vocal students began to complain, shouting that it wasn't fair, that Nikki had tricked them (by being nice), that Nikki couldn't do this. One student, though, said that although she didn't like the policies, Nikki was the instructor and she would listen to her. She added that Nikki had been lenient enough and that students were taking advantage of the situation. A screaming match ensued ... but Nikki immediately asserted her authority as the instructor and stopped the situation before it got out of hand.
3. Class implementation:
Today's class was an eye-opener. Nikki isn't afraid to put her foot down when her students veer off track. She is definitely firm in her policy that doing well in the course is the student's responsibility, although she is willing to do everything she can to help a student. However, she won't do it for him or her, and she maintains that if a student is absent, it is that student's responsibility (not anyone else's) to find out what he or she missed in class.
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