Teacher - Too Soft?

Last night during my community-college composition class, a disturbing event occurred. I lost control. I've teetered on the edge before, but the situation had always come back to the lighter side after a moment of inner panic on my part.

The first few weeks were the honeymoon period. They liked me. I was cool. I didn't make them do grammar worksheets (don't believe in them) or actually write out the homework from the St. Martin's Guide (don't see the point). In my opinion, they are in the class to learn to become better writers, and if they can do that without reading the book, great. If they need to read the book and they don't, it will be reflected in their essays, which make up the bulk of their grade. They will suffer, not me. So I guess I have been something of a softy, putting more emphasis on class participation and discussion of their ongoing essays with me than on any weekly sort of homework.

Last night, however, was bad. I handed back their graded essays two weeks ago. Last night, I gave them the opportunity to hand in revisions for a better grade. First off, only two people took this option. Secondly, when we broke out to do a classroom activity about a half hour before the end of the class, about half of them SNUCK OUT THE DOOR when my back was turned! I was appalled. I dutifully took note of who stayed until the end and talked a little more than I'd planned to about MLA style as a reward for those who stayed (vowing in my head to ding anyone who royally screwed it up in the next essay, even though I think it's really hard to master).

I guess next week's class will start with a short explanation of how the "attendance and participation" grade works. Most of them are scoring a cool C for either being consistently late or leaving early. I'll bet they don't realize that. The last thing I want to do is stand at the front of the class and lecture them on respect for me (they won't care) or how much they should care about my class (they all admitted on the first day that they are only taking it because it is required). What I strive to do with everything in the class is to show them that class is just a microcosm of the world. Everyone will always expect you to know how to present your position on any subject well. Everyone will always expect you to show up on time and stay until the end. Class is no different than life. They don't seem to get that, though. I guess I'm going to have to lecture. (sigh)