On "Remediation"

A brief note about "remediation."  I teach a class called AIS; it is strictly for students who (a) failed the Regents exam, or (b) are at risk to fail it.  It is supposed to be a sort of remedial class so they can all pass the state test.  Anyway, long story short, I was having them practice a skill they will need for the test - the ability to interpret a one sentence quasi-philosophical quote - by having them look at about ten or twelve quotes from my favorite writer, G.K. Chesterton.  In one period we only really discussed two quotes; but we did also discuss the mathematical term "tangent;" the metaphorical phrase "going off on a tangent;" some of the moral prohibitions of Islam, Christianity, Mormonism, and Judaism; the idea that humans have a body, a mind, and a soul; and we were apparently (some of us) surprised to have found out that Mormons are nice people.  How's that for remediation?
To the sentences.  As always, these are from student papers and my comments are in (   ).

- John Proctor continually downgrades Abigail.  (Yup; now she's flying coach.)
- Sometimes I get a little off track with my message sometimes.
- At times I feel that if I am confused about what to write.  (Like right now?)
- The (hiking) trails are hard to wonder off of.
- Elizabeth also doesn't want to be the blame that he'll look down upon.
- This will increase ones chances of getting bake to the car by dark.
- Once observation I have looking at the picture in more detail...
- People were dyeing...
- Western saddles provide realisticness to these movies.  (Really, spell check didn't say anything about that one?)
- The fighting was hand to hand to hand combat.  (Sounds confusing.)
- Throughout Henry's journey of running away he met a lot of new faces, even some he already knew.
- He say Mary and her lover in a cab some where so he fallowed then.  (That should be saw, followed, and them; just so we're clear.)
- While fishing the worst that could happen is the fisherman drowns.  (Is that all?  I should take up fishing!)
- Once my father was supposed to be watching me and he fell asleep, and I went out to the front lawn and relieved myself because I had seen him do it and thought it was acceptable behavior.  (I bet you don't ask your dad to read your papers, do you?)

Until next time...
J