i'm giving tests this week. (no, sorry, there'll be no funny answers--they're just circling verbs and writing tenses, boring times.) i have different expectations for different classes. i know the test is way too hard for some of the lower levels, so i just sort of look the other way when they work together and talk. but i know that this test isn't too hard for my upper level classes, so i'm a little bit more strict on the cheating front. most of'em are good students anyway, so cheating hasn't been a huge problem.
*sigh* except in my last class, 6/7. (the first number is the grade [6s are seniors] and the second number is their level--higher is smarter for grades 4, 5, and 6.) they're really smart girls and usually attentive and fun and basically everything a teacher wants in a class. i had to run downstairs to pick up some copies so i asked preeda to watch while i was out. i came back and she was sitting in teh back, not watching the kids at all. some of the students were talking, but as soon as i came in they stopped. ehhhh, so they asked each other a couple questions. no big deal here in my thai classroom.
but then i walked around to this group of four girls in the back. one girl didn't have a test on your desk.
"where's your test?"
(nervous giggling and looking to her friends) "may loo" (i don't know)
the four of them sort of looked down and up at me again, like they knew i was mad and something was wrong. they looked toward the rest of the class, diligently plugging away.
"is it out there?" i asked. if it was whirling around the class, this was a big issue. if it was only these four girls, then i could deal. then i saw the girl with the missing test reach her hand down and back to the girl behind her.
"i can see the test," i said to the girl in the back. "you might as well hand it back so she can finish." they didn't know what i was saying, but they knew i was upset. i left'em alone.
at the end of the class, after everyone handed in their tests, i went back to the girls. i put on nicki disappointed face.
"why did you do that? you're smart. i know you don't need to cheat and copy. just...it makes me sad. please don't do it anymore."
they sort of looked down ashamed. i wasn't smiling. the girls got really awkward--my students+this emotion don't seem to react well--and didn't know what to do. one girl apologized and the others had apologetic looks on their faces, so i took that as sorry enough and told them it was ok.
it was just...ugh. i expected more. sucks.
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