Riding Her Coattails
Last night when Cici and I talked about her homework she told me that she had to write a script. And it is due tomorrow, she told me. Why are you working on it tonight if it is due tomorrow, I asked her. Because it is a project with two of my classmates, and they have no interest in working on it with me, so I will do it myself, she said.
This seems to be the pattern on her project assignments, except when one of her Asian classmates is her teammate on the project. Last week a Vietnamese girl came to our office after school and worked with Cici on a project until about 8:00 p.m. They finished the project and got a 96 for a grade.
But first, Cici wanted to talk about a debate team project that is coming up. My team must argue in favor of the new immigration law that was enacted in Arizona, she said. My suggestion is that we first talk about why the law is being opposed by many people. Tell me why the law is so troublesome to people. She had no problem with that side of the argument. She wouldn't want to be stopped just because she is Asian.
Now tell me why some people believe the law is necessary, I said. Because there are too many illegal people coming from Mexico, she said. Is that the reason, I asked, or do you need to be more specific? There are bad people coming from Mexico, she responded. Why are they bad? What are they doing wrong? They are bringing guns, she said. What else are they bringing? It took a little more discussion before she drilled it down to drugs, and to bringing the drug wars across the border and killing Americans. Then we talked about policy considerations, such as the failure of the federal government to act. I think she will be well prepared for the debate.
But the debate won't be tomorrow, she said, and the script is due tomorrow. What is the script about? I asked. We have to write a script about a television talk show, she said. A talk show where one the characters from the book we just read is interviewed, but I don't know how to do it, she said. Think of it this way, I suggested. You want to tell a story, but tell the story by asking questions. I know from experience that you can do this, I said. Send it to me and I will read it early tomorrow morning when I get up.
This morning her finished script was in my mailbox. There were two talk show hosts and one guest. The guest was enthusiastically welcomed to the show. Tough questions were asked by the hosts, and the guest responded appropriately. By the time the hosts said goodbye to the guest, the story had been told. I was surprised by the level of sophistication that the script reflected. I suspect that her English teacher will know who did the work on the project, even if the question doesn't come up.
This seems to be the pattern on her project assignments, except when one of her Asian classmates is her teammate on the project. Last week a Vietnamese girl came to our office after school and worked with Cici on a project until about 8:00 p.m. They finished the project and got a 96 for a grade.
But first, Cici wanted to talk about a debate team project that is coming up. My team must argue in favor of the new immigration law that was enacted in Arizona, she said. My suggestion is that we first talk about why the law is being opposed by many people. Tell me why the law is so troublesome to people. She had no problem with that side of the argument. She wouldn't want to be stopped just because she is Asian.
Now tell me why some people believe the law is necessary, I said. Because there are too many illegal people coming from Mexico, she said. Is that the reason, I asked, or do you need to be more specific? There are bad people coming from Mexico, she responded. Why are they bad? What are they doing wrong? They are bringing guns, she said. What else are they bringing? It took a little more discussion before she drilled it down to drugs, and to bringing the drug wars across the border and killing Americans. Then we talked about policy considerations, such as the failure of the federal government to act. I think she will be well prepared for the debate.
But the debate won't be tomorrow, she said, and the script is due tomorrow. What is the script about? I asked. We have to write a script about a television talk show, she said. A talk show where one the characters from the book we just read is interviewed, but I don't know how to do it, she said. Think of it this way, I suggested. You want to tell a story, but tell the story by asking questions. I know from experience that you can do this, I said. Send it to me and I will read it early tomorrow morning when I get up.
This morning her finished script was in my mailbox. There were two talk show hosts and one guest. The guest was enthusiastically welcomed to the show. Tough questions were asked by the hosts, and the guest responded appropriately. By the time the hosts said goodbye to the guest, the story had been told. I was surprised by the level of sophistication that the script reflected. I suspect that her English teacher will know who did the work on the project, even if the question doesn't come up.
It's unfortunate that her classmates are so irresponsible when it comes to doing their work. However, I'm sure it's helping her to continue to develop her self sufficiency.
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Yes, I agree. This is one of the reasons her teachers speak so highly of her. She is always on time, in focus, and delivers what is due, they say. I have always believed that attitude is more important than ability within a given range of talent.
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