I am currently a junior in high school and I can say that I’ve experienced a variety of high school classes. The definition of a typical high school class varies from student to student. I’m currently in AP classes and normal college prep classes. From clear observations, these classrooms are very different.
If you step into the midst of an AP classroom, the minute you pass the doorframe, you can see students intensively working. It’s silent. The silence is then broken by the lead of a pencil landing on a fresh piece of binder paper. On other days, the silence is filled by the teacher who is lecturing. No phone is in sight. The only technology allowed is a school chromebook in which fingers are vigorously typing on the keyboard trying to finish the assignment due by the end of the period.
A classroom filled with students all reaching to receive an A in this class. Students who have high GPAs ready to raise it even more. Students who are high achievers willing to do more if it means a better college application. Students who are yearning to be in the top 25 of the class. Students who desire to be on the honor roll. Students who took this vigorous course for a reason.
If you step into the midst of a typical college prep high school classroom, the minute you pass the doorframe, you can see students doing a variety of things. There is not a dead silence, but whispers of students talking to their neighbor. Some have their headphones in and are on their phone scrolling through social media. Others are attentively listening to the lecture and taking notes. Some have their heads down trying to make up for their lack of sleep.
A classroom filled with students who may not have the same goal after high school, whether it’s going to college, the military, trade school, or continuing the family business. Essentially, their routes may not be the same. Students with varying work ethics. Students who either really care about passing the class or others who don’t care so much.
These two descriptions vary from every single high school classroom. It’s important to preface that not every AP class is extremely strict and work heavy. Not every normal high school class has some students off task. These descriptions may not apply to every student either. Although, from personal experience there is a trend. This may be the case, but I know one thing for sure. Every student in these classrooms are working towards the achievement of graduation.
Word Count: 430
Hey Kristina,
ReplyDeleteAfter also have taken AP classes and currently taking AP classes, I also notice a trend between the two classrooms. Although all teachers teach a lot different, I agree that it's clear that in general more students are focused and school oriented compared to non AP/honors classes. I've never seen students refuse to pay attention or do work in an AP class, which isn't much of a surprise. It's really great that you did note that not all kids have the same goals after high school, or more commonly the standard 4 year college route most 'AP students' have. Great observations in this blog!