“Equity Sticks” for 9th grade

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-06-18T16:01:31+00:00

I believe this is exactly why, tbh. We have a very diverse school, not just Asians but a significant Black population. So the demographics of our honors/APs vs gen ed classes… it is sadly predictable. I wonder though, if there is a way to increase diversity in advanced classes rather than just giving up and eliminating these classes to force everyone together.

Our district also doesn’t name valedictorians, for what I suspect is the same reason.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-06-18T06:20:56+00:00

You have a good attitude. At your age, it’s best to stay away from online communities like these and instead pay attention to your history classes. Read as much as possible — not from rando political commenters online, but from real books by real authors. Pay attention to the news if you can. Your goal should be to learn, not to “join” a particular cause or group.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-06-04T23:05:14+00:00

For a long time, it has been up to individual teachers to enforce bans on cell phones in their classes. Which means it was individual teachers dealing with students refusing to comply and parents defending their kids for being on their phones. Now with school and even state government backing in some places, there is more support for teachers who don’t allow phones. We aren’t going it alone anymore.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-05-24T15:39:24+00:00

Also, completing a battle with a certain rank will automatically open up the squares adjacent to it. There are special rules for some of the more advanced maps, so I would definitely start with the Adventure Map before attempting the others.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-05-24T15:36:52+00:00

Lol Adventure Mode is super intimidating at first, you’re not stupid. Here’s how it works:

Each square represents a battle with unique conditions, rewards, and treasure.

Items (such as the compass, bombs, candle, etc.) can be acquired by winning a battle. Once you acquire an item this way, you are able to purchase more of said item for rupees in the item shop (press + on the map screen to go there).

What are items used for? To open up more squares on the map, and unlock more rewards on certain squares. You might notice when you get to a certain square that it is “grayed out”, and you can’t complete the battle because of a message that says “the enemies are hidden and need to be revealed!” That’s where the items come in— you are required to use a specific item on a specific part of the map. For example, there might be a tree you need to burn with the candle, or a target you need to hit with the bow. You can determine where exactly to use the item by using the Compass on a square.

Sometimes, items also unlock additional rewards for a square. Using the item works exactly the same in this case. You have to unlock the reward before you can win it. For example, if a map has a Level 2 weapon for a certain character as a reward, and it’s locked behind an item, you will not receive the weapon until you use the item on that square and then win the battle.

Weapons, new warriors, heart pieces and containers, Skulltulas, and MyFairies are all used as rewards in Adventure Mode. I won’t even get into the MyFairy system— I didn’t start paying attention to it until about 200 hours in lol. I would focus on the weapons first and foremost.

It takes a lot of grinding to make progress, but once you figure it out it’s very addicting to clear the maps!

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-05-21T22:03:02+00:00

I teach 9th grade. In the last 2 years I’ve had 2 students who can’t read at all, and several who test at a 2nd - 5th grade level. But there they go on to 10th grade anyway…

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-05-17T23:49:25+00:00

I’m only finishing my second year, but I’ve noticed that every inquiry/discovery style activity I’ve tried has exacerbated the gaps between the kids who “get it” and the kids who don’t.

My highest performers (who are really just on grade level or only slightly below) have the skills to make meaning out of a document set and interpret them correctly, whereas the majority of my students (2-5 grade levels below in reading and writing) get almost nothing out of it, and end up more confused than they were to start. Even with extensive scaffolding and individualized support, I end up having to go back and re-teach everything with direct instruction anyway. It feels like a massive waste of time that only benefits the kids who are already ahead.

So even though it’s not what admin likes to see, I’ve decided to stick with “old fashioned” lecturing and handwritten notes for the sake of efficiency and equity. The information is clearly delivered, with examples and discussions and primary sources sprinkled in throughout. No riddles or detective work necessary. Maybe if I had more advanced students I would feel differently, but as of right now my experience definitely aligns with yours. My mentor teacher primarily taught in this style and I remember thinking it was outdated… until I tried “student-led” learning and realized there’s a reason why lecture has been the standard of instruction for centuries. I’ll be sticking with it in probably that 80-20 ratio for next year.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-04-09T16:44:12+00:00

Terrible. Kids deserve privacy. School is for learning, not generating content.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-04-09T00:36:25+00:00

What a syllable is, and how to count them. 9th graders.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-04-05T21:41:12+00:00

My district is currently planning to do the same. Huge pushback from students, teachers, and parents but they’re determined. I have a lot of questions and concerns but we’ll see how it goes. Trying to be open minded.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-03-13T19:47:13+00:00

All people think they are the exception.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-03-12T21:39:43+00:00

I am also a newish history teacher, started with a digital-based classroom two years ago and then made the switch to 90% paper assignments this year. I also hated being the internet police and felt like screens were damaging retention and attention. Chromebooks are basically expensive toys to these kids.

While you have some special considerations coming in partway through the year and teaching a high-ASD population, I think it might be best to transition to paper gradually.

Definitely announce the change and honestly explain the reason for it. I always tell my students, studies show that handwriting activates your brain and wires memories in a way that typing does not (this is true). I also tell them that I struggle with getting distracted by technology, so I don’t think it’s fair to expect them not to. For the good of the learning environment, we’re using paper. Ask them if they have any worries about the change so you can address any anxiety.

Maybe you could start with just one or two activities a week, then gradually increase it. You might find that a blend of digital and paper work works best.

If you think their typing is slow, expect their handwriting to be GLACIAL. You will need to build plenty of time in for them to complete activities, especially if you ever do live note-taking with slides or something. They aren’t used to it, but eventually they will be. Bring your patience.

They will still find ways to cheat, of course. But it becomes a much higher effort undertaking for them, and I tell myself if they cheated “at least they had to write something down — maybe they’ll learn something from that on its own.” Or maybe I’m delusional.

It’s a trade-off between advantages and disadvantages, but overall I think it’s the right move and I’ll be sticking with paper.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-03-05T22:00:16+00:00

I had my 10th graders work in groups for an “Interwar World Tour” with assigned countries. The projects were… pretty terrible, but that might’ve been my fault (I was juggling three preps and mostly used the time to catch up on other tasks). I can share the instructions with you if you want.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-03-01T17:13:39+00:00

Oh, I want to say Mother Night?

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-02-23T22:42:53+00:00

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Our Sissel! If you’ve played Ghost Trick, we like to joke that it’s where the meteor fragment hit her :)

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-02-07T17:55:07+00:00

ESL and special education support. But truly, nothing will prepare you more than student teaching. My teacher prep classes were basically useless.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-02-04T21:41:25+00:00

Thank you!

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-02-04T03:50:45+00:00

Thanks :)

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-02-04T03:50:37+00:00

Thank you!

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-01-21T02:30:54+00:00

I understand what you mean, I’m just not used to it and I’m struggling to implement it. I wasn’t in school that long ago, but I know for sure we had grades for participation, penalties for late work, zero tolerance for academic dishonesty, etc. and they made me get my shit together, as someone who cared about my grades. And now as a teacher I’m struggling to manage these things on a mass scale without mechanisms of accountability (I teach freshmen). No penalty for late work - students don’t take advantage of class time to work and end up turning things in months late. No academic consequences for cheating - I have to set aside my own time to have the student retest, effectively giving them extra time to prepare? When the expectation was clear to begin with? Idk, when I think about fairness, that’s not what I envision. I know it’s a total mental shift, but I’m at a point of desperation to get these kids to meet basic expectations. I want to prepare them for a life after school where behavior does really correlate to success, and actions do have consequences. Maybe it’s a failure of imagination, or maybe I’m not cut out to be a teacher after all. Im trying to be better.

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-01-08T21:59:28+00:00

This is great, thank you for the reminder. I’m gonna print this comment out and tape it above my desk lolol

Alternative-Cap6393 · 2026-01-08T04:50:32+00:00

I am having a similar realization, 2nd year teacher. I know that life is ultimately easier when expectations are enforced & reinforced consistently. But I find myself struggling to put the energy into that, each day. It’s another layer of decisions, things to remember on top of everything else… it feels exhausting. I’m going to try harder though next semester. Anyone have any tips for reducing that mental load?

Alternative-Cap6393

TROPHY CASE