Well, I'm only half joking in my subject line. Seriously though, they
are in the 6th grade. All they know about the other teacher is hearsay
from other kids. Kids respond much more to the personality of a teacher
than the workload the teacher requires. I teach an unusual elective
course at a high school (I used to teach Social Studies.) My students
are mostly 9th graders. Today, one of my blocks decorated my board at
the end of class with statements like "I love your class Mrs.___! It's
so easy and fun!" Now, my class is untraditional (in case you hadn't
figured it out by their activity today!) so the students feel that it's
"easy"...however, as we progress in our curriculum they will start doing
a lot of public speaking on issues like peer pressure, self-concept,
ect...and for some students, my class will suddenly become VERY
difficult. Students are quick to perceive things about a class or a
teacher based on personality. I would say that as long as you are
assured that your lessons are rigorous, take what these students say as
a compliment, because what they are really saying is that they like your
personality as a teacher.
-Melissa

On 10/27/09, By Teacher Mom to Mandy wrote:
> Mandy, I understand where you are coming from and just because a
> teacher is lenient that doesn’t mean the students should take
> advantage. You raised a good point though because some defiant
> students will look at the situation like, "I can throw this pencil
> because she's not going to do anything about it!" Students tend to
> flock to the teacher who is easier/nicer/or less-strict however
> they have to know that at some point in time the line will be drawn
> and they should not cross it.
>
> Does anyone agree or disagree? Are there any suggestions of how to
> proceed in such a situation?
>
> -Teacher Mom
>
> On 10/27/09, Mandy to Ann wrote:
>> Don't you love how the students turn it back on you? ;-) That
>> happened to me last year - except I agreed with the students - I
>> wasn't strict enough. However, I'm not sure if that warrants poor
>> behavior, if that makes sense. We might not be strict enough, but
>> does that give anyone a reason to throw a pencil in the first
>> place??? (unless there's that attitude of "well, I'm going to
>> throw this because I know I won't get into trouble," but
>> still...) Does anyone see what I'm trying to say?
>>
>>
>> On 10/26/09, Ann wrote:
>>> I hear you!!
>>> I was having a class meeting with my 7th graders today
>>> discussing ways to improve class behavior. One girl told me
>>> I'm not strict enough. I was shocked! I thought I was too
>> strict!
>>

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