Chapter 5

Summary:

By Ashley Brown

1. In this chapter Nathan talks about how she used to do a sample project in her class, where her students pretended to point out three peers who were witches in their class. She found that the “witched” were the students who sat close to the front, asked questions, and did well in the class. She took this idea and compared it to her classes and found out that there are “right” questions to ask a teacher. Nathan also then talks about how classroom conversations are never really about the class, but rather bashing the professor, asking for answers, or talking about how the class is horrible. She finds that discussion does not take place in classrooms, and professors have to pull teeth for people to talk. Also, students believe that most learning takes place outside of the classroom, and the most common question and interest is in sex. She then takes the “perfect” class, sexuality, and this class confirms that students take classes that may not better them for their profession, but rather for their real world at the time.

2. Nathan is very informative in this section of the book, which I found surprising since it was a very touchy topic, sex. She did not leave out any key points. Also, Nathan wrote this in a way that makes the reader think about what he or she is in college for. When Nathan presents the example of paying for your Bachelor's and being done with college, it makes the reader think what he or she would do.

Vocab:

By Catherine Wagner

We were unable to find 10 words to fill up a vocabulary list, so we found two websites related to the chapter instead. Click here to view one of the sites. Click here to view the second website.

The first website relates to the book, having to do with dorm life and how students can get involved in activities around school. It talks about how life in a dorm can be stressful at times when students have to live with someone they have never met before. This relates to My Freshman Year when Nathan discusses meeting the new students in her hall.

The second website relates directly to the book, asking the question exactly how much did you learn in college. Nathan asks this question when international students comment how much easier college is in America. With shorter sections and multiple choice tests that you can pass without studying, do a lot of students forget the material the minute they put their pencil down?

Graphic Organizer:

By Nicki Woitas

Topics that keep the conversation flowing. Students are labeled weird for asking discussion questions during a lecture, or offering up a comment. Only certain subjects are accepted as normal questions, comments, concerns, or suggestions. When asking a question in class, or talking about a class, your remark had better be about how little you care, or simplify the assignment for everyone else. Once out of the classroom, students do not bring up interesting discussions in class, or anything relating to the sort. Once out of class, life and conversations go on about other interesting topics based around more social and personal issues.

Discussion Questions:

By Dan Lewis

1.

In the beginning of this chapter Nathan talks about how most students choose the more engaged and active kids in the class to be "witches". She also states that the more active kids, the ones that pay most attention are the kids that sit in the “Reverse T”. Do you as a reader agree with these statements as you look at your classes? If so why?

2. Nathan says that she agrees with the college professor, that most kids will not ask what something means if they don’t understand. As a reader why do you believe this is so in today’s classrooms or why do you believe this is false?

3. When Nathan asked students what they talk about outside of class under 5% had an answer that had anything to do with class discussions or academics. As a reader, and as a student, why do you think this is so?

4. Nathan describes what a “typical” college experience is like to our generation. What do you believe is the best college experience, and what keeps you from leaving?