A few articles age I introduced my new addition to education at Families.com. This addition I named Tips for Teachers. Over the past few weeks I have occasionally offered tips for teachers. My tips come from experience and observation in the classroom.
Some tips I have learned the hard way, from experience. This is one of those tips.
As a teacher, always be as honest with the students as possible. Never say something thinking that it will pacify them for the time and that they will forget about what you said.
Students are very clever. They can tell when you mean what you say and when you are not listening to them.
If you tell the students that you will do something tomorrow you had better be prepared to do it tomorrow. They will not forget!
One day during my busy afternoon “get ready to go home” time. A student came to me and asked me to look at a picture he had colored. I glanced up for a brief moment and commented on how beautiful it looked. I then went back to preparing folders for home.
He continued to stand in front of me. He then spoke out, “Did you look at my picture?”
I involuntarily replied, “Yes, it was beautiful.” (I had not really looked at it that closely)
He then questioned, “Well, what color was the bow on top of the tree?”
I then knew that I was caught. I could not tell him what color his bow was. He had seen through my plan to pacify him and move him on. Looking back, I see that I should have explained that I was busy at the moment and I would be happy to look at his picture when I was finished.
Students appreciate the truth and can usually catch you in a fib!
Tips: Managing Student Supplies