Fostering a sense of respect in students (for their teacher and their peers) is definitely one of my biggest challenges as a student teacher. Perhaps it is the particular group of students that I work with, but I constantly hear students putting each other down. Just the other day I was appalled to hear one student call another a “slut”. These students have not yet reached high school, and I am almost certain that none of them actually know the meaning of the word “slut”. Regardless, does anyone have suggestions for fostering a sense of community and respect within the classroom? I do my best to interrupt my students when I catch them name-calling or putting students down, but it seems like the culture of disrespect is so pervasive that I have very little effect. I see other teachers let students “get away” with the negative comments, and I wonder if I’m being too sensitive? Teachers do have enough to conquer on a daily basis, so should I just let the name-calling go?
Sticks and stones may break my bones…
October 23rd, 2006 · 3 Comments
Uncategorized
3 responses so far ↓
1 Michelle // Oct 24, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Ellen,
No, I do not think that you are being too sensitive and I, too, find myself facing the same problems with my students while I am student teaching. I also believe that fostering a sense of respect in students both for their peers and the teacher, but also for everyone else outside of the classroom, is extremely important in their schooling and for the rest of their lives. I agree that it is very challenging and something that is so pervasive in society today, but I am not going to give up and I would also encourage you not to either. It is true that we cannot affect every student, but maybe we can make a difference and make a positive impact on some students. As far as the name-calling, I hear it too and I also try not to ignore it. I know the damaging effects that peer-pressure and teasing can have on students and I am not about to let it slide in my classroom. On the other hand, we do need to be realistic and know that it is a part of our classroom and our world today.
2 Jim // Oct 25, 2006 at 4:02 pm
Ellen,
I have seen and heard a lot of this kind of behavior in my practicum school also. I think that fostering respect among students for each other, their school, and their teachers is crucially important for the learning process to take place and move forward. I encourage you to take away from your experience the realization of how important it is to establish a respectful environment from the beginning. We are at a disadvantage because we are coming into an environment that is not of our own making. When we have classrooms of our own, we will have a much greater influence on the environment. Now is the time to develop your philosophy and some strategies for classroom behavior, respect, and character. Then you won’t be caught off guard next year when you begin teaching in your own classroom.
3 ashley // Nov 12, 2006 at 11:27 pm
One little tid-bit of an offering it to model respect. Students learn so much through watching… I’m curious about how respectful teachers are towards students. So often it is desired or demanded that students respect adults and one another… and yet where are they supposed to learn, experientially learn, the skills of respecting. So often children’s lives revolve around a series of adults telling them what to and not to do. Where are the mutual lines of respect in such situations.
Please don’t give up!!