And This Week's Winners Are...

I've been correcting U.S. History tests. I have two student answers that must be shared. At least one was laugh out loud funny, if you know anything about U.S. History. Students were supposed to write a brief explanation about various terms, identifying what they were and explaining their larger historical significance (why we should care about it).

One response, on the Temperance movement:
"The temperence movement was created in history trying to calm the people down because of war they had a bad temper. I am just kidding, yo, to be honest I don't know the answer but at least I did my best. You dig?" Um, yeah, I do "dig." Warm and fuzzy feelings for you for doing your "best." But buddy, your best here results in zero credit. It's also too bad you failed the test. This puts into question your claim that you did your "best."

Another student's response, on the Trail of Tears: "The trails of tears was a path that a group of troops marched I'm guessing that the trail wasn't very easy. It may have caused many of them to shed tears. However they did march it." Another winner. Hilarious, but also a little sad.

I suppose some people could think this is a reflection on my teaching, but I have reached the point where I hold such a view lightly, and place the blame squarely on the student's shoulders. Especially in cases such as these, when almost all of the other students were much better in explaining these two terms...