i hate capping

[whaleyam]

My students at school have been driving me crazy with all of their capping and making fun of each other. They're really mean. Anytime someone answers a question, at least three other people in the class make rude comments like, "Oh, you're wrong. You never guess the right answer," or if they answer correctly, "Oh, he thinks he's so smart. Remember

Comments

Expecting respect

[anonymous]

My classroom has some pretty simple rules. Respect the teacher, respect each other, and respect the equipment. But I enforce them strictly ... I don't let the kids get away with any "capping" at all ... students who do go straight to my office and wait there (while I continue teaching) until I can come and interrogate them. Perhaps it's because I'm in a middle school, perhaps it's because I can be an intimidating male, perhaps it's because it's a Christian school ... whatever the case, it's effective. And I find that if I let students be in charge (with their behavior) even once without responding immediately, the level of respect (and the consequent behavior) literally drops dramatically in that particular class.

Oh, I forgot rule #4. Mr. Webel can make up new rules whenever he wants. I make it very clear that my room is a dictatorship, not a democracy. I respect and love the students, but I firmly believe that a classroom that is not teacher-centered (especially at the middle school age) can not be a successful classroom (unless if there are simply amazing kids in there). Kids cannot be given the message that they are ultimately in charge, that they have the answers inside of themselves, that the learning process is dependant on them. Our kid-centered culture (just watch any sitcom to see what I'm talking about) is giving children the wrong message, a message of despair and stunted growth.

Wow, I got a little carried away. I guess you can say that I've been thinking a lot about this stuff!

-- Anonymous Lance