Anyone else get uncomfortable when their students are silent?
When I am really upset with my students, I demand silence. Not really sure that's my go to class format when I'm in a bad mood, but that is generally my demand when I'm not feeling my best. The weird thing is, I'm always uncomfortable when I get it. Why? I feel like they are faking it. "They must be secretly undermining me" or "they're up to something" are the only thoughts that go through my head when I don't hear my kids making any sound.
One of the earliest pieces of advice I got as a teacher was to "be comfortable with silence." Sometimes when you ask a question, you get crickets instead of an answer. This can be infuriating especially if it is something you've been over a million times. You get angry and then you start talking to them or telling them the answer instead of letting them feel uncomfortable enough to go find the answer on their own.
The other thing I do is bother and distract them when they are silently working. I lose all ability to use my time effectively and ask each kid a million questions or try to help without being asked because I'm bored.
I demand silence and it kills me. It's not actually what I want, but I demand it anyway. So silly.
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Dallas Students Discipline Themselves
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One of the earliest pieces of advice I got as a teacher was to "be comfortable with silence." Sometimes when you ask a question, you get crickets instead of an answer. This can be infuriating especially if it is something you've been over a million times. You get angry and then you start talking to them or telling them the answer instead of letting them feel uncomfortable enough to go find the answer on their own.
The other thing I do is bother and distract them when they are silently working. I lose all ability to use my time effectively and ask each kid a million questions or try to help without being asked because I'm bored.
I demand silence and it kills me. It's not actually what I want, but I demand it anyway. So silly.
Follow us on Facebook; Twitter; iTunes; Soundcloud; Stitcher
Related Articles:
Dallas Students Discipline Themselves
Trusting Dallas Students to work in groups
Teachers are the worst Students
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