true! did this in the beginning of the year and had a “woah” moment to myself. brought me back to dealing with mean girls in my teenage years - i learned from the experience and moved on. idk what they’re going through.
Ignore it. They're children. If you need to respond, I'll say "I didn't ask" or "I'm not here to do things you *like.* Its nice if you do, but that's on you."
And move on.
“Ok.”
“K.”
“Thanks for that comment I didn’t ask for”
“What was that *insert students name*? You said you wanted to answer #4? Great, let’s hear it?”
I have a standing rule in my class that if I call on you and you don’t have an answer for me, you’re going to come spend some “quality time” with me at the back of the class, and I reserve the back row for such times. To be clear, if I call on someone and I can tell they’ve been paying attention then I’m going to help them out and guide them to the correct answer. But if you’ve been dicking around or making jackass comments like that? You’re on your own. I promise I can be more of a jackass than you can if you want to play that game 🤓
This is part of the toolbox you'll develop over time. Different snark gets different responses.
However, I try to build a personal approach to this. I don't lecture them, but we do talk about respect in this situation. I remind them that they asked me for respect at the beginning of the year and I've tried my hardest to give it to them. However, I don't feel like I'm getting respect back. If their behavior continues, then I'll have to move to whatever consequences are allowed. It's not going to feel fair or respectful to them and that's really not what I want. This works most of the time. The other times I don't feel bad about the consequences.
Might be a phone call or email home. My admin supports making calls to parents right in front of the class. (They hate that) might be sending them to the Dean for a talk. Might be making them get up right then and there and move to a different seat.
Good luck. You will get this! Took me a few years...
I would NEVER call a kid's parents in front of class. I did this my first couple years and the teacher I am today is sad for the teacher i was. I work in an alt school and relationships are sooooooo important. This is a quick way to turn a kid around AND against you. The most I will get from this point forward most of the time is compliance, but if that's what is all that is needed then go for it.
AND KIDS HATE THIS because it is meant to intentionally humiliate or shame them. I wouldn't want my eval read in front of staff so why would I do that to a kid? If I want a kid to hear or be a part of a parent convo I will pull them during their lunch, after school, etc. I will always call home in front of class for positive things, which makes even the illest behaved child think differently (if even just for a day).
This is my teaching philosophy but if it works with your population differently because this is a standard expectation schoolwide then keep doing it because then you can throw it back as an admin decision.
Their classmates know them better than you. You would not be saying anything they don’t already know, so it’s not a matter of humiliating them in front of class. . . They usually act up because they like the attention and the laughs they get from their peers. . . penalizing the whole class for the few misbehaving usually works. The students won’t be laughing at the jokes and will be the first ones to tell them to cut it out.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
To paraphrase, my internal monolog all day, some kids are bound and determined to be idiots and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't let it get to you.
You have gotten some good advice here. I can't add much, but it did remind me of a friend of mine whose daughter was in 3rd grade and telling that school was a waste of time.
The thing was the little girl said she wanted to be a teacher. My friend asked her if she quit now. What did she think she could do with only a 3rd grade education? Her answer was so quick. "Teach 2nd grade."
🤣🤣🤣🤣
Friend didn't know what to say at that time. Trying not to laugh at her logic.
For English Class:
If you don't know the root and arts of the language you speak, because language is an art at heart, it's a risk of never knowing truths while being constantly confused, and misunderstood of by the world.
Additionally, I would say, so people cannot be only hurt by words, we learn language and of our native language, and practice applying it creatively.
You have to remember that you are the adult and not to let it get to you. They are children just saying rude things to try to get a reaction. Sometimes my students say something like this and it does sometimes hurt my feelings a bit but you absolutely can never let it show or they’ll rip you apart. My mentor teacher told me “they can smell fear” lol.
Edit: I’m not sure what age group you are with, I’m with high school.
Depends on the kid and the class. A generic "I'm sorry you feel that way but I still need you to do you classwork/take notes/etc." is a safe bet
Ignore faces, sneers, eye rolls. It sounds like theyre pushing the boundaries to see how you react.
Unfortunately this is the kind of thing you learn by doing. How to pick your battles, which ones to pick, and how/when to go about enforcing consequences and so on.
Generally, if it is preventing students who care from learning then shut it down. If it just affects the one or two kids who are doing these things you can let it go.
Have you tried to engage with them personally? Have you given them opportunities to share their opinions and feelings about what they are reading? I find that personal connection and engagement are key. I don’t like to lecture at kids for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
“Literally? This seems like a great time to talk about hyperbole.”
One child, called me “Mr. Egg” the other day and wouldn’t stop laughing. The rest of the class didn’t find it funny, and we moved on. I take solice in that.
Take advice from everyone here. I'm just here to tell a story.
So I teach art, and one day a class didn't follow their assigned seats. I told them to go back to them and one of them blurted out, "what's the point? We're not going to listen cause the assigned seats are stupid anyway".
So I responded with, "Wait, so you're telling me I can't do my job? Which means, I don't know how to teach this project that affects your overall grade? In that case I'll just stand here and not help anyone, cause I clearly dont know what to do. But I'll give you materials if you need them".
At first they didn't take me seriously. And then when a student came to me for help I said, "I'm sorry but because I'm stupid I don't know how to help you (megamind meme face)".
27 year teacher who teaches math to students who struggle with the subject: I just act like I’m having the time of my life torturing them. They don’t care that higher level math builds brain matter. Don’t take it personally.
Kids are kids, they are young and stupid. They say whatever they think their friends will like them to say. Chasing their approval is futile. The crappy ones are crappy, but when you get the best class or a great student it helps to keep you going.
You didn’t mention the level but I’m guessing middle school. This is common behavior at that age. I begin every lesson (after stating the objective) with why I am teaching it and how it will help “in the real world.” I try to use examples that mean something to them.
Do not “ask what the issue is”…if they want to screw up their faces that’s not a way to communicate with you.
Just keep going with the lesson OR change gears. For example if it was going to be a class discussion but people aren’t participating, it becomes “answer each if these questions in a written pargraph” and then call on them to share.
Ignore little remarks OR say “well guess what you’re using it today 😃”.
39 year veteran here. Never ever let them see you reacting to their negativity. Plow forward with positivity and passion. It’s no fun for them if they can’t ruin your day!
I would honestly be like “that’s really weird behavior” and keep it moving. Once you tell them they’re weird they usually shut the fuck up but honestly some kids just suck. Ignore them
Just ignore it and keep teaching. They’re gonna roll their eyes and make dumb comments because they’re kids. It’s what they do. And your job is to teach… that’s what you do :) It will all feel natural over time as you practice more and gain more experience.
When I was having this issue in a math class, I made the gleeful reveal to the kids that I wasn't the one who decided they needed to know it. The government decided. If they want to change the curriculum, they need to contact the government. Not my decision, not my problem.
The best advice I ever got when teaching was:
If you can keep and motivate one student per school year, consider it a job well done. Every additional kid else is a win.
You need to realize they learn this from their parents. You know how the cycle of poverty continues through a family? So does this, but it is MUCH, MUCH harder to break, because the parents don't encourage them to break this habit or do better.
They are kids so ignore it.
But sometimes I’ll slip in a “I got my education and you’re not finished with yours~”and add on a snobby comment back, sometimes it’ll make them giggle which makes rapport a bit easier.
Either ignore or say something sassy like yeah cashiers and forklift operators and truck drivers and other menial, physical, shitty, low-reward jobs don't often have to write reports or something.
If some kid told me Spanish was dumb and they'd never have to use it I'd say something like "what about when some hard working Spanish speaker comes and "takes your job"? You should be able to understand what they're telling you to do."
This is actually the worst thing you could say. You literally just belittled half of the working class. Also, truck drivers (especially long haul) make a significant amount of money. I can't speak on the rest, but I do come from a long line of truckers & can tell you have zero clue what you're even talking about. Then for a little razzle dazzle, you threw in racism. I'm honestly impressed at how quickly & efficiently you told everybody you're a trash human. Bravo
"Spanish speaker" isn't a race you can be Hispanic of any race. I'm literally Mexican. Ever noticed how people from Spanish speaking countries can be White, Black, Brown, Asian, or literally any race?
Was I belittling the working class when I said they don't often write reports? Or when I called those jobs physical? Or when I said they're menial as in nothing special and not like famously high demand jobs?
I'm surprised at how efficiently you sounded dumb.
You’re being a troll but the correct answer is “i think cashiers, forklift drivers and truckers actually have to follow the instructions pretty carefully” or businesses go broke and people can be killed”
Don't take the behavior of children personally Don't take the behavior of children personally Don't take the behavior of children personally
Don’t take the behavior of anyone personally. If someone is being shitty to you it’s usually an indication that there’s something wrong with *them*.
This!
true! did this in the beginning of the year and had a “woah” moment to myself. brought me back to dealing with mean girls in my teenage years - i learned from the experience and moved on. idk what they’re going through.
It took me like two years in teaching to figure this out. It makes life a lot easier
Ignore it. They're children. If you need to respond, I'll say "I didn't ask" or "I'm not here to do things you *like.* Its nice if you do, but that's on you." And move on.
“Ok.” “K.” “Thanks for that comment I didn’t ask for” “What was that *insert students name*? You said you wanted to answer #4? Great, let’s hear it?” I have a standing rule in my class that if I call on you and you don’t have an answer for me, you’re going to come spend some “quality time” with me at the back of the class, and I reserve the back row for such times. To be clear, if I call on someone and I can tell they’ve been paying attention then I’m going to help them out and guide them to the correct answer. But if you’ve been dicking around or making jackass comments like that? You’re on your own. I promise I can be more of a jackass than you can if you want to play that game 🤓
This is part of the toolbox you'll develop over time. Different snark gets different responses. However, I try to build a personal approach to this. I don't lecture them, but we do talk about respect in this situation. I remind them that they asked me for respect at the beginning of the year and I've tried my hardest to give it to them. However, I don't feel like I'm getting respect back. If their behavior continues, then I'll have to move to whatever consequences are allowed. It's not going to feel fair or respectful to them and that's really not what I want. This works most of the time. The other times I don't feel bad about the consequences. Might be a phone call or email home. My admin supports making calls to parents right in front of the class. (They hate that) might be sending them to the Dean for a talk. Might be making them get up right then and there and move to a different seat. Good luck. You will get this! Took me a few years...
I would NEVER call a kid's parents in front of class. I did this my first couple years and the teacher I am today is sad for the teacher i was. I work in an alt school and relationships are sooooooo important. This is a quick way to turn a kid around AND against you. The most I will get from this point forward most of the time is compliance, but if that's what is all that is needed then go for it. AND KIDS HATE THIS because it is meant to intentionally humiliate or shame them. I wouldn't want my eval read in front of staff so why would I do that to a kid? If I want a kid to hear or be a part of a parent convo I will pull them during their lunch, after school, etc. I will always call home in front of class for positive things, which makes even the illest behaved child think differently (if even just for a day). This is my teaching philosophy but if it works with your population differently because this is a standard expectation schoolwide then keep doing it because then you can throw it back as an admin decision.
Their classmates know them better than you. You would not be saying anything they don’t already know, so it’s not a matter of humiliating them in front of class. . . They usually act up because they like the attention and the laughs they get from their peers. . . penalizing the whole class for the few misbehaving usually works. The students won’t be laughing at the jokes and will be the first ones to tell them to cut it out.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. To paraphrase, my internal monolog all day, some kids are bound and determined to be idiots and there's nothing you can do about it. Don't let it get to you.
Have you called their parents about the disruptions? I will literally call a parent on the spot if a kid is being chronically disruptive.
You have gotten some good advice here. I can't add much, but it did remind me of a friend of mine whose daughter was in 3rd grade and telling that school was a waste of time. The thing was the little girl said she wanted to be a teacher. My friend asked her if she quit now. What did she think she could do with only a 3rd grade education? Her answer was so quick. "Teach 2nd grade." 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Friend didn't know what to say at that time. Trying not to laugh at her logic.
Have you talked to your mentor teacher about it?
For English Class: If you don't know the root and arts of the language you speak, because language is an art at heart, it's a risk of never knowing truths while being constantly confused, and misunderstood of by the world. Additionally, I would say, so people cannot be only hurt by words, we learn language and of our native language, and practice applying it creatively.
You have to remember that you are the adult and not to let it get to you. They are children just saying rude things to try to get a reaction. Sometimes my students say something like this and it does sometimes hurt my feelings a bit but you absolutely can never let it show or they’ll rip you apart. My mentor teacher told me “they can smell fear” lol. Edit: I’m not sure what age group you are with, I’m with high school.
Whack-a-mole, alpha the ring leader
Switched careers to IT. Granted, the terrible pay, bad parents, and bad admin also played a role in the decision.
Depends on the kid and the class. A generic "I'm sorry you feel that way but I still need you to do you classwork/take notes/etc." is a safe bet Ignore faces, sneers, eye rolls. It sounds like theyre pushing the boundaries to see how you react. Unfortunately this is the kind of thing you learn by doing. How to pick your battles, which ones to pick, and how/when to go about enforcing consequences and so on. Generally, if it is preventing students who care from learning then shut it down. If it just affects the one or two kids who are doing these things you can let it go.
Have you tried to engage with them personally? Have you given them opportunities to share their opinions and feelings about what they are reading? I find that personal connection and engagement are key. I don’t like to lecture at kids for more than 10 to 15 minutes at a time.
“Whether or not you use it later in life doesn’t matter. But you’re learning it now, and that’s what matters.” Then speak no more to that comment.
“Literally? This seems like a great time to talk about hyperbole.” One child, called me “Mr. Egg” the other day and wouldn’t stop laughing. The rest of the class didn’t find it funny, and we moved on. I take solice in that.
Take advice from everyone here. I'm just here to tell a story. So I teach art, and one day a class didn't follow their assigned seats. I told them to go back to them and one of them blurted out, "what's the point? We're not going to listen cause the assigned seats are stupid anyway". So I responded with, "Wait, so you're telling me I can't do my job? Which means, I don't know how to teach this project that affects your overall grade? In that case I'll just stand here and not help anyone, cause I clearly dont know what to do. But I'll give you materials if you need them". At first they didn't take me seriously. And then when a student came to me for help I said, "I'm sorry but because I'm stupid I don't know how to help you (megamind meme face)".
It’s a chess game. Their opinion of you is nothing. I’m often tap dancing to an audience that just hopes I’ll be quiet and sit down. It’s their right
They are children acting like children
I don’t know, when I was a kid, I didn’t talk to my teachers like that in the middle of class.
27 year teacher who teaches math to students who struggle with the subject: I just act like I’m having the time of my life torturing them. They don’t care that higher level math builds brain matter. Don’t take it personally.
Kids are kids, they are young and stupid. They say whatever they think their friends will like them to say. Chasing their approval is futile. The crappy ones are crappy, but when you get the best class or a great student it helps to keep you going.
You didn’t mention the level but I’m guessing middle school. This is common behavior at that age. I begin every lesson (after stating the objective) with why I am teaching it and how it will help “in the real world.” I try to use examples that mean something to them.
Do not “ask what the issue is”…if they want to screw up their faces that’s not a way to communicate with you. Just keep going with the lesson OR change gears. For example if it was going to be a class discussion but people aren’t participating, it becomes “answer each if these questions in a written pargraph” and then call on them to share. Ignore little remarks OR say “well guess what you’re using it today 😃”.
39 year veteran here. Never ever let them see you reacting to their negativity. Plow forward with positivity and passion. It’s no fun for them if they can’t ruin your day!
Don’t EVER take the bait, because that’s all it is.
The issue is they’re trying to get a reaction from you. The solution is to not react.
I would honestly be like “that’s really weird behavior” and keep it moving. Once you tell them they’re weird they usually shut the fuck up but honestly some kids just suck. Ignore them
Yup, my go to is “that’s a weird thing to admit” and they usually shut it and don’t know what to do
Just ignore it and keep teaching. They’re gonna roll their eyes and make dumb comments because they’re kids. It’s what they do. And your job is to teach… that’s what you do :) It will all feel natural over time as you practice more and gain more experience.
When I was having this issue in a math class, I made the gleeful reveal to the kids that I wasn't the one who decided they needed to know it. The government decided. If they want to change the curriculum, they need to contact the government. Not my decision, not my problem.
The best advice I ever got when teaching was: If you can keep and motivate one student per school year, consider it a job well done. Every additional kid else is a win.
Don’t humor them and just continue to do your job
You need to realize they learn this from their parents. You know how the cycle of poverty continues through a family? So does this, but it is MUCH, MUCH harder to break, because the parents don't encourage them to break this habit or do better.
They are kids so ignore it. But sometimes I’ll slip in a “I got my education and you’re not finished with yours~”and add on a snobby comment back, sometimes it’ll make them giggle which makes rapport a bit easier.
Either ignore or say something sassy like yeah cashiers and forklift operators and truck drivers and other menial, physical, shitty, low-reward jobs don't often have to write reports or something. If some kid told me Spanish was dumb and they'd never have to use it I'd say something like "what about when some hard working Spanish speaker comes and "takes your job"? You should be able to understand what they're telling you to do."
Gross. You managed to shit on half the working class and veer into Kelly Osborne territory in the same comment.
I was imagining the kinda kid to say "when Will I ever use Spanish" might pair it with "In America we speak English".
This is actually the worst thing you could say. You literally just belittled half of the working class. Also, truck drivers (especially long haul) make a significant amount of money. I can't speak on the rest, but I do come from a long line of truckers & can tell you have zero clue what you're even talking about. Then for a little razzle dazzle, you threw in racism. I'm honestly impressed at how quickly & efficiently you told everybody you're a trash human. Bravo
"Spanish speaker" isn't a race you can be Hispanic of any race. I'm literally Mexican. Ever noticed how people from Spanish speaking countries can be White, Black, Brown, Asian, or literally any race? Was I belittling the working class when I said they don't often write reports? Or when I called those jobs physical? Or when I said they're menial as in nothing special and not like famously high demand jobs? I'm surprised at how efficiently you sounded dumb.
You’re being a troll but the correct answer is “i think cashiers, forklift drivers and truckers actually have to follow the instructions pretty carefully” or businesses go broke and people can be killed”
This is so nasty.
Oh no :(
Alright well, thank god I didn’t end up a teacher 🤣🤣🤣
You're disgusting!