Image by Fernando Latorre from Pixabay
A high school teacher who I respected greatly talked about the 10 most important things that kids can do in class to earn them the "benefit of the doubt" if they happen to be a half-point away from this or a smidge away from that...let me share.
Now, some might call this "brown nosing" and your kid may not be the kind to do all of these, but if they demonstrate a few, it'll go a long way to earning the teacher's respect and possibly a point when they need it the most.
Now, some might call this "brown nosing" and your kid may not be the kind to do all of these, but if they demonstrate a few, it'll go a long way to earning the teacher's respect and possibly a point when they need it the most.
1. Get to class on time. Be in your seat, ready for instruction.
2. Make eye contact with the teacher whenever they are talking to you...in class, in the hall, or before/after class.
3. Participate in class. Ask questions and offer answers.
4. Use the teacher's name when you speak to him/her. Everyone engages more intensely and meaningfully when their name is used.
5. Don't slouch, man-spread, or otherwise sprawl in your seat. Sitting up straight lets the teacher know you're alert, interested, engaged and care about the process.
6. Turn in your work on time. This says to your teacher, loud and clear, "I care about the work; I care about the grade; I care about what goes on here".
7. Follow the teacher's instructions on how the assignment should be done. No freestyling. The teacher has guidelines on grading the work. If you don't follow his/her lead, you just might tick them off but making it more difficult to give you points.
8. Erase neatly or use White Out. Don't mark out. If s/he can't read it, you better believe you won't get points for it.
9. Don't understand? ASK! Asking for clarification tells the teacher that you're paying attention and THINKING ABOUT the lesson. That fact or concept you didn't get answered just might show up on the test.
10. Wait until the bell rings before you pack up, unless it's clear that the teacher is done. Packing up and all of the noise and movement that comes with it may just cause you to miss an important piece of information.
And best of all, say, "Thanks" when you leave the room. Teachers love to hear that. They'll know who you are and appreciate you.
2. Make eye contact with the teacher whenever they are talking to you...in class, in the hall, or before/after class.
3. Participate in class. Ask questions and offer answers.
4. Use the teacher's name when you speak to him/her. Everyone engages more intensely and meaningfully when their name is used.
5. Don't slouch, man-spread, or otherwise sprawl in your seat. Sitting up straight lets the teacher know you're alert, interested, engaged and care about the process.
6. Turn in your work on time. This says to your teacher, loud and clear, "I care about the work; I care about the grade; I care about what goes on here".
7. Follow the teacher's instructions on how the assignment should be done. No freestyling. The teacher has guidelines on grading the work. If you don't follow his/her lead, you just might tick them off but making it more difficult to give you points.
8. Erase neatly or use White Out. Don't mark out. If s/he can't read it, you better believe you won't get points for it.
9. Don't understand? ASK! Asking for clarification tells the teacher that you're paying attention and THINKING ABOUT the lesson. That fact or concept you didn't get answered just might show up on the test.
10. Wait until the bell rings before you pack up, unless it's clear that the teacher is done. Packing up and all of the noise and movement that comes with it may just cause you to miss an important piece of information.
And best of all, say, "Thanks" when you leave the room. Teachers love to hear that. They'll know who you are and appreciate you.
I double dare you to give this a try. See what happens!
Claudia
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