"That boring old class!"
By JenInTN
@JenInTN (27514)
United States
March 10, 2011 3:58am CST
My youngest daughter is in the 7th grade and every evening she comes dragging home a geography book that is almost as big as she is..lol. She has to force herself to do her homework every night because she is nowhere near as excited about this class as I would think she would be. The funny thing is that the online class that I am taking is just an advanced version of what she is studying now. It is Geography too.
She tells me.."I hate geography mom, it's boring." My thought is how can learning about the cultures of other societies be boring? I am so intrigued by my class and the things I am learning. I share sometimes with her and she says..you get to study the good stuff....lol...the thing is..she is too..it's the way she is being taught that is making her so bored. Once I started talking about certain areas and people that she was studying, she runs back to her book and decides to give it another shot..I interested her in that region...then everyday..she comes home bored again until I share with her something that intrigues her. I know her teacher is terribly busy but I do wish he would spice the class up a bit. Have you ever taken a class that had the potential to be interesting, but wasn't? Did you like Geography when you were in school or did it bore you silly?
7 people like this
31 responses
@cansasct (39)
• United States
10 Mar 11
I was always interested Geography, however my 8th grade daughter also does not like geography, it is now under the subject of "Humanities" in her school. The school curriculum is very good at making an interesting subject very unenjoyable for her, so, "ditto" true story. Why is this? Is it the format, or is it the push to get children to absorb as much as they can when learning, while taking all the fun out of learning.
I noticed that she was not finishing or turning in alot of these assignements, until I checked on her, even having a conference with the teachers, and even the Humanities teacher seemed stressed. I got the idea right away that the class in no way makes learning fun, it's all stuff as much information, assignments and quizzes in as you can to satify the district's requirements. Fine for the Superintendant's and district's requirements, but what about making the learning process a little more do-able for the kids?
I feel bad for her and try to help her whenever I can, and feel that I can play a part also in sparking her interest, but I think schools can improve on the learning process.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Hi cansasct! There is a lot that is lost when the class becomes to packed and teachers struggle to fit more into less time. To be honest...really learning the subject should be more important than rushing through and not remembering half of it anyway. It is becoming increasingly hard for children and teachers. Thanks for the response and welcome to myLot.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I know!!! My daughter that is in highschool is not even allowed a backpack..I had to buy her a huge bag..like a pocket book to carry her things in. It's the only way to get by the rules. I don't know what the boys do. There are alot of books to carry and not to mention the supplies. It gets increasingly hard for children.
@cansasct (39)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Glad to be here, also, the children these days have to carry all of their books in a heavy backpack, instead of storing them in lockers. I think anytime you can engage your child's interest from a different angle regarding a subject that does not interest them is to me another gateway method to increased learning. I applaud your creative efforts to getting your daughter to learn and I have both enjoyed and benefitted from your post!
There are certain subjects we just don't care for. When I was in school it was about the land more than the culture. I am enjoyinmg the culteral aspect of it now. Thanks for responding.
@SHAMRACK (8576)
• India
10 Mar 11
Dear friend,
I do like geography and moreover it is part of history in our school days. The history teacher took this class putting jokes that are more close to the subject we study. Actually it was a joking class, we laughed and also studied what teacher taught us. But too much of jokes creates bit away from subject. The class was nice, enjoyable, but subject was not seen at times. Still at the end all went fine an happy ending all students passed in History that included geography. I feel teaching is a talent, it is bit difficult find such talented teachers who teaches subjects interestingly to students. 
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Your right Shamrack. Plus there are children that require being taught in different manners sometimes too. I think that it's ok to implement some fun,but I think that being involved in conversation and pointing out interesting points can be important too. Some of the words she was writing down..well...she wasn't even sure of their meanings. I know she could've looked them up but it was so routine that she just wrote them. Some of her special interest came from me explaining the true meanings of the vocabulary. Thanks for the input.
@ANTIQUELADY (36440)
• United States
10 Mar 11
HI JEN, I think your daughter's teacher is falling down on his job. I think many of them do this. They get in a rut of doing just what they have to do i guess after so many years of teaching the same thing. I'm glad u can make it interesting for her. U are a good mom. My 4th grade teacher would bring food from each country we studied & i thought that was grand.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Mar 11
That is grand Jo! I wish her teacher would just take a moment to point out things that make the children want to study. It's such a shame to see her missing out on the amount of knowledge she could gain. I try to keep her interested. Thanks for responding.
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
10 Mar 11
Geography was not my favourite subject at school but it wasn’t my least favourite either. I understand what you mean about the way a subject is being taught. My daughter had an excellent teacher for the past two years who made everything fun and interesting therefore the kids were eager to learn. The teacher she has this year I am not as sure about yet as school only started in February. It is great that you are able to share what you are learning with you daughter; you are probably helping her more than you know. Good luck to both of you with your studies!
1 person likes this
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Thanks paula! I think that teachers have so much power...sometimes they don't even realize how much. I am glad that your daughter has inspiring teachers. That is so important. I hope all her teachers are as inspiring as her first ones. Take care.
1 person likes this
@bounce58 (17387)
• Canada
12 Mar 11
Not geography, but something close -geology!
I took up engineering when I was in university, and for some reason, we had geology as part of our required courses. Our professor spoke in a very monotone voice, and his class was so boring. Often I would just put my stuff on my desk, stand up as if I was going to the restroom, and then hang out with my frat brothers at the cafeteria. Of course I would come back just before the class ended to gather my stuff and pour out of class along with my classmates.
I failed that class. But I originally thought that the professor failed me too because he could have presented the class in a more interesting manner.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Mar 11
jenintn hi oh I was like your daughter in highshcool as the teacher made the course in Geography so dry and borrowing. but when I went back in my fifties to take my last two years at the U to get my BA I took Greek
and Roman geography and history . The teacher was so great as she made
the whole live in my eyes and mind. She used her own words to describe various points and I was fascinated. I got a B+ in that class and I took Latin as my language class which fit in with the rest. I wonder why some teachers cannot make you excited about a subject while others m ake you almost live those times and see the country.
@Hatley (163781)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Mar 11
borrowing? should have been boring what a stupid error
Wow!!! Latin???? That's awesome Hately!!! I think that having that special teacher or two can take you to those times and give you the strength and dedication to learn Latin...WOW!!! I hope my daughter finds that strength.
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Mar 11
My geography teacher wasn't much either. I was always intriqued by things I saw or ready about other cultures but no class did it for me. Teachers really need to take a course in how to teach the subject. I had an English teacher, several actually, that were so good but only two out of probably a dozen that I had down through the years. It is sad that they can't find a way to teach that opens the mind instead of closing it. I think so many of them are ones who couldn't make in other jobs so this was a last resort. Sad. I am glad your daughter has you.
@celticeagle (159058)
• Boise, Idaho
11 Mar 11
I was lucky to have afew empassioned teachers along the way. I think they might be bound by some guidelines, and little time but still their attitude could be different. I think you would be a good teacher. I just think that some teachers don't chose the profession because they are passionate about but rather it is easy for them. I had a great English teacher when I was in Junior High. He would have us relax and breath at the beginning of the class, had us memorize long numbers, etc. He would get us to relax and the class was outstanding because of him and his attitude. He was so different. Main stream is so boring.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I would have loved to have had a teacher passionate about the subject when I was in school as a child. My online class has proved to be pretty interesting. I wonder if they are worried about some of the culteral material as being age appropriate...or maybe they are bound by guidelines that keep them from teaching in the manner they would like. I don't know..just throwing a few ideas around in my mind trying to figure it out. Sometimes I would like to be a teacher.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27562)
• Philippines
10 Mar 11
The problem is the teacher. Go knock some sense into him before he destroys the subject, and the students as well.
It really does bug me that she is not enjoying this to the potential she could be. Thanks for the response.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
10 Mar 11
I had high hopes of passing my Geography Exam, until I saw the Exam paper. It was like a book, it was so huge lol. Needless to say I panicked and never got the grade I wanted.
Having said that, it's interesting what you say there. It wasn't so much Georgraphy lessons I found boring, it was History. Every lesson at school bored me to tears and I could not retain all the information about..well, anything really. I can ask Mum ANYTHING about History and she knows dates going way back, it's mightily impressive listening to her as she's told me many times her History teacher was awesome!
I suppose if I learned all over again (whether it be Geography or History) I would probably become more immersed in it, so long as it was online lol.
Mum has nagged me loads of times to take my English A Level but I would have to take my O Level again I would think (that I've already got)..and I really can't be bothered, to be honest. I'm not sure (with the cutbacks) that these courses are available to my age-group anyway. None of them would be free, put it that way.
This is why I love MyLot so much as I can practice my skills in English Language AND Typing. I'm good at those.
Good luck with the Geography.
Mum has nagged me loads of times to take my English A Level but I would have to take my O Level again I would think (that I've already got)..and I really can't be bothered, to be honest. I'm not sure (with the cutbacks) that these courses are available to my age-group anyway. None of them would be free, put it that way.
This is why I love MyLot so much as I can practice my skills in English Language AND Typing. I'm good at those.
Good luck with the Geography.@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
10 Mar 11
Hi Janey! I hope you have been well.
Having a great teacher can make a huge difference. Internet rocks too...lol.
I must say that I have really enjoyed the onlne class. It is my first one. it is affiliated with the college I attend..but I think this is the only one that is totally online. I thought I might not like a totally online class, but I was wrong.
MyLot is a wonderful place to learn things. Practicing English and Typing and then there are people from all over the world too.
Thanks for the response and the well wishes.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
10 Mar 11
You're welcome and I'm glad you are loving the course. It's amazing how the internet has come on over the years isn't it? I don't think online courses would even be available 10 years ago or if they were they wouldn't be very good lol.
I have been well thanks.
This year is shaping up to being better than 2010 which wouldn't be all that difficult seeing as it was sooo bad..certainly couldn't get any worse!
I have been well thanks. This year is shaping up to being better than 2010 which wouldn't be all that difficult seeing as it was sooo bad..certainly couldn't get any worse!
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I loved geography in school (I didn't take it in college). The teacher would always have us build something when we learned about a particular continent, country, region. For example, I remember building the pyramids and little stick camels/people, palm trees (I think), sand dunes, etc. when we learned about Egypt. I remember dressing up a lot too. There's lots of things your daughter's teacher could be doing...and in my mind, he should be or find another career.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
It's tough when you have to compensate, but I suppose that is part of this time period..I am glad I can to some point. Makes me want to teach to be honest. There are so many things that can be done or said. I feel like sometimes my daughter is losing the potential that the class has to offer...anyway..I am amazed at the things I am learning..wow. I had no idea about our world. Anyway..thanks for responding and I hope you have been well.
@Kirinx (1688)
• United States
25 Apr 11
Well I took a cultural art class that I thought was going to be interesting
but it totally sucked.by geography i take it you mean history class?
I was pretty good at history but it wasnt my favorite class i have to admit
it was about as fun as watching paint dry.
@misterMR (796)
• Philippines
25 Apr 11
I really love Geography. It's one of my favorite subjects during grade school and high school! Learning about the cultures and people from other countries really do make me intrigued! The teacher is really fun too! I guess the only thing about Geography is that it needs memorization. But you wouldn't memorize too much if you yourself is interested in the subject! I do not know why your daughter don't like the subject, but I guess it's teacher factor here. She'll love geography more if you become the teacher!
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
12 Mar 11
Well, I think for sure it is the way something is presented to someone that helps in whether they are interested in something or not. I know many times there might have been things I was not interested in though when I was younger that excite me now just because I actually can relate more the older I get with certain things as well.
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I still remember in 4th grade we were studying our city and its history. If we got the rest of our work done in the morning we could work all afternoon on the class history project. we had a large map of the city laid out in one corner of the room and we were building a model of the city as it was about 100 years ago. We studied the history of the city, learned about the building and why they were built and what they meant to the community. We sure fooled the teacher because we did not have to study all afternoon all we did was work on the city project, read about the stuff and finally we took a field trip to see the buildings that were still standing and where others used to be. We had so much fun and never knew we were learning. Miss Norton was one in a million as a teacher, and I still think about her.
That is what education should be not just reciting the answer back.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I agree so much with you. I don't think that some teachers actually realize how important they are. Maybe they don't remember the teachers that influenced them the most. I remember a special teacher I had in the 1st grade. Oh that woman....she was wonderful.
@danishcanadian (28953)
• Canada
17 Mar 11
With all due respect to teachers, I learned more when I did it on my own. Instead of sitting in class reading a boring old book about Croatia, for example, I made some Croatian friends, listened to the music, which I absolutely LOVE, and then became interested in the culture that way. If people started with actual cultural aspects, instead of just printed words on boring pages, there'd be a lot more interesting people.
I checked a book about Croatia out of the library the other day. What a boring book, but the stuff I found on line, and through the people I met, is amazing!! And the music? AWESOME!!
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
18 Mar 11
That is the type of influence I would love to see her get. At her age, she can research but not to the level that you or I can. I would love to know she had a teacher that would throw some real stuff into the curriculum. There is a huge difference in reading the words and hearing the music or tasting the food. Thanks for responding and take care.
@hardworkinggurl (37063)
• United States
11 Mar 11
I too as a child hated Geography somehow although I was an honor student most of my school years Geography was one that I had to triple work to learn. I could not be attentive when it came to the lessons as a child during class time.
Now as an adult I am so intrigued by it also, I think it has to do with the fact that as kids we would never dream of venturing past our neighborhood because it is unknown territory, but as an adult we find it so intriguing because now we dream about venture way out there.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
You have a good point. As children, our neighborhoods seem like a great big world..lol. I think age has a lot to do with it too. She is an honor student too and I want to keep her that way..lol...I am hoping she can get past the boredom. I try to help her and it seems to work but it is an every night thing.
@margeryann (1845)
• United States
11 Mar 11
My teacher I had that taught that was boring too. He didn't talk about nothing. He just gave us the book and told us to do the assignments. He didn't say no more. Teachers do need to make things more interested. They didn't for my son when he was in highschool or elememtary either. My son that is in elementary now . He says that all of the subjects are boring. They just give the assignments. They don't talk about anything.
@scentcastle (241)
• Philippines
11 Mar 11
If you could make the subject interesting for her, then the problem lies on her teacher. Maybe her methods are not good and helpful. I loved geography too and it was because my teacher did an amazing job in making the subject easy to grasp and enjoyable. Maybe you could go and visit her teacher and talk to her. That way, you could help your daughter and other students too.
@JenInTN (27514)
• United States
11 Mar 11
Hi scentcastle..that is a very good idea. Her teacher is actually a football coach and I am wondering if he even wants to teach that subject. I met him once. She also tells me stories about him talking ninsense in class about his family and sports while the kids are working. Maybe he does need a visit..lol..Thanks for the response.
