Seriously, just yesterday we were reading a ghost story in my lower-level 7th grade class, and the novel was set "three years after X character died." We find X character's tombstone with the dates 1869 -- 1884 on it. I say, "So, when is this novel set?"
One kid yells out "1869.".
I say, "No, that's when she was born."
Another kid yells out "1884."
I say, "Okay, that's when she died, and the novel is set three years later...?"
"1890! 1950! 1860!"
Finally one kid concentrates really hard (you can see him get really still, and his eyes start moving back and forth). "1887?"
By this time I'm just ill, and I'm holding up my fingers, counting, "Yes! Look, everyone, see? 1885, 86, 87! That's three!"
And they stare at my fingers with their mouths hanging open and their eyes dull and annoyed, like "what's your point, miss?"
You deserve a medal. I don’t see how you can stand it each day. Every time I teach a class I give it my all for a week or so at a time all day, every day taking the responsibility that if I can just be excited about what I am teaching and work really hard the students will get on board.... nothing, dull glazed eyes much of the time. Ask questions trying to get some discussion started... nothing, like pulling eye teeth. You have to drag everything out of them most of the time unless they think they have caught something wrong that I’ve said then they are like rabid beasts.
What I teach is what they are required to do to perform and keep the jobs they already have!