Complete silence

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Complete silence

by Novel

Mar 2, 2017

Do you think it's valuable to make students work in complete silence?

I do, occasionally, in that it makes them focus on working independently, allows them to work without disturbance/distraction, is good practise for self- control, etc. In a recent silent class, another colleague walked into the room, was surprised to see a class in there, and exclaimed, "Oh, I never make my class work silently!" and made a face that the class found hilarious. Since then, I have heard him telling people in the staff room as if it is

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my thoughts I would think being able to control one's body and voice would be good practice for things like test taking. I also think that those students who have to deal with constant distractions especially from fellow students who might not be taking school seriously would appreciate some calm time once in awhile.

Maybe your staff could use this t...See More

Mar 2, 2017

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Yes, I do Yes. My students are expected to work in silence during the daily bellringer, during tests and quizzes, and expected to listen silently during peer's oral presentations. This is high school. It is surprisingly difficult for them to do this because at the beginning of the year they aren't used to it - previous teachers usually haven't required it of...See MoreYes. My students are expected to work in silence during the daily bellringer, during tests and quizzes, and expected to listen silently during peer's oral presentations. This is high school. It is surprisingly difficult for them to do this because at the beginning of the year they aren't used to it - previous teachers usually haven't required it of them. But I think I have good reasons for it. During the bellringer it helps them settle down and focus. (I also let them pair-share after, so they do get to talk then.) During tests and quizzes it is to avoid giving each other answers. And during presentations it is about being a respectful and attentive audience. The only time I have them do other work in silence is when they've had too much trouble working silently in the designated times. Then sometimes I have them do other things in silence too as "practice". Mostly that's at the beginning of the year when learning procedures.

On 3/02/17, my thoughts wrote: > I would think being able to control one's body and voice > would be good practice for things like test taking. I also think > that those students who have to deal with constant > distractions especially from fellow students who might not be > taking school seriously would appreciate some calm time > once in awhile. > > Maybe your staff could use this topic as a discussion for > professional development. > > I did not ever "make" students work silently but my students > were much younger then high school age. Also the type of > method we used was very different from a traditional > classroom. > > > > > > On 3/02/17, Novel wrote: >> On 3/02/17, Novel wrote: >> >> >> I make classes work in silence occasionally, because it >> makes them focus on working independently, allows them > to >> work without disturbance/distraction, is good practise for >> self-control, etc. >> >> In a recent silent class, another colleague >> walked into the room and was surprised to see a class in >> there, and exclaimed, "Oh, I never make my class work >> silently!" and made a face that the class found >> hilarious. Since then, I have heard him telling people >> about it in the staff room as if it is surprising or not >> quite right. >> >> Do you think it's valuable to make students work in >> complete silence? Do you do it?

Mar 2, 2017

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