A List for All Students
Image by hoyasmeg via Flickr
Students nowadays behave differently from the time we were kids. They are not as well disciplined and are really more difficult to handle then in the past.
In my 10 years + as a teacher I have seen and taught many different batches of students. I’ve seen how some that attitudes that they have toward their work and school have changed over the years.
Students now want things instantly and are very impatient. They are also less willing to work for what they desire. It can be very frustrating teaching them the virtues of hard work and delayed gratification.
Coming from the angle of a parent and a teacher here is a list which I feel all students/ kids should know.
The List
- I am not your maid. If you spill something or dirtied the place go and get a mop or cloth and clean up after yourself.
- Pay attention and really listen first to what I have to say before interrupting me with your 101 questions.
- Be courteous and respectful. Everyone relates well to a child with good manners.
- Do take ownership of your actions. You and you alone have to bear the consequences if you make any bad choices. Don’t expect your parents(or me) to bail you out each time your err.
- Do not expect everything to be served to you on a silver platter. It isn’t . If you don’t know anything ask and take the initiative to find out. Google it!!
- If it doesn’t work the first time don’t give up. Reflect and see how the problem can be solved. Not everyone gets it right the first time around. Even us teachers/parents do fail at our first attempt sometimes.
- Take note and jot down important dates/information and homework. Don’t expect me to chase after you for stuff you forget to do or hand in. I know you don’t like it and trust me I don’t like it either!
What would your list for your kids/
students be like?
April 21, 2011 @ 7:32 am
I’ll be sure to email this to my sister so she can print it out and give it to her students!
April 22, 2011 @ 1:56 pm
@Alison,
I’m curious to know how your sister will be able to get her students stick to this set of rules.. do let me know ya!
April 21, 2011 @ 12:03 pm
that list would sit well in the home of a child as well…not just the classroom. I try to incorporate each part of this list into our lives but kids…well…sometimes the resistance is strong…especially on the cleaning up part….ARGH!
April 22, 2011 @ 2:14 pm
@Terra,
I too am facing a battle getting the boys to clean up but it’s getting better as the slowly understand the importance of learning how to take care of themselves.
April 21, 2011 @ 6:50 am
As a student Google has become my best friend.
April 21, 2011 @ 6:59 am
I’ve been in teaching for over 20 years and I am a parent of teenage boys. Believe me, I can relate to your list!!! It is spot on!!
April 21, 2011 @ 7:14 am
Perfect list
April 21, 2011 @ 8:05 am
Great list of do’s and don’t’s for students!
April 21, 2011 @ 4:47 pm
Holy cow, #2 made me think of my son and laugh (after I remember the levels of frustration he causes with that neat little trick).
Here from Mama Kat’s. Have a great week!
April 21, 2011 @ 8:56 am
As I retired teacher, I can relate to this, too. I’ve been out of the classroom for a decade now, but I have been taking courses at the community college on subjects that interest me. I don’t understand some of the young students’ behaviors. Most of the time fewer than half of them show up. They ignore class requirements. Many leave after the break, giving up a chance to earn points for class activities. Their assignments are done as if they rushed through them in 3 minutes. I remember reading about a high school that allowed community members to attend classes as long as they were not filled. The school discovered that having another adult in the room who was setting a good example, had both a calming effect and helped students put more effort into their work. Despite my perfect attendance & the obvious time and effort I put into my assignments, I see no great effort from students —but then, maybe they would be even worse without my being there.
Please visit my story about a phone call I won’t forget: http://proartz.blogspot.com/2011/04/like-wind.html
April 21, 2011 @ 10:48 am
This list is so important. We have started working on these things with our three year old.
April 21, 2011 @ 1:31 pm
I know some adult students who could use this list!
April 21, 2011 @ 3:13 pm
My sister has been a teacher for many years, and she thinks the students are getting more difficult all the time…and at an increasing rate. She feels that parenting has gone awry, with too much indulgence and not enough expectation or discipline. Too much bad behavior goes on at school, and too many parents condone rather than confront it. She often has parents wanting to excuse their children rather than let them take the consequences of their behavior.
Sorry to say it, but I think she’s right. (And most of her peers agree.)
=)
April 21, 2011 @ 4:30 pm
I couldn’t agree more.
Those are the rules my parents taught me, but sadly this generation doesn’t seem to care about manners and respect…
April 21, 2011 @ 5:03 pm
#1 I am not your maid. If you spill something or dirtied the place go and get a mop or cloth and clean up after yourself.
I noticed this when I used to clean schools , some of the rooms
were so filthy . I mean they really should learn some manners , honestly. I also heard that the east indian , muslim boys are terrible at cleaning up after themselves since in their culture it is the womens job :/ …soooo unfortunate .
April 21, 2011 @ 9:29 pm
In my experience it’s a lot easier to teach these when every adult is pulling in the same direction.
April 22, 2011 @ 3:21 am
My son, Joey, is a high school teacher in Kentucky. He has received much recognition for his skills as a teacher. I am sending him your list because I know that he would agree with you 100%!! GREAT POST!!
April 22, 2011 @ 1:46 pm
Some great ideas here. As a former grade nine teacher I can really relate! If I end up in the classroom again, I may have to make my own list to display where all can see.
Dana
April 23, 2011 @ 2:06 am
I think honesty and courtesy would be up at the top of my list. I agree with your statement: kids aren’t the same as they used to be! {:-Deb
April 24, 2011 @ 7:30 pm
Excellent points made there, all of which I shall be introducing to my girls – some already have been started!
It does make me worry about how schools will be when my girls are there, just how difficult will it be in class with all the kids who can’t concentrate and have to disrupt?
April 24, 2011 @ 4:46 pm
all students,
wow.
well done.
April 26, 2011 @ 4:32 pm
What a wonderful list. I’m copying this and sending it to my daughter-in-law. I’m always surprised how quickly children give up childhood now, too. It’s sad, really. The magic years of imagination and possibility seem to give way to attitude way too soon.
Thanks for a thoughtful and thought provoking link to Alphabe-Thursday.
You have written a timely post for me and one of my Granddaughters.
A+