Purpose Statement
What is etiquette in the
classroom? Traditionally it has assured a lack of student success because it is
yet another of those admin-education concepts more geared toward administrator
and teacher ego security than learning.
Assuming students won't be polite is another of those assumptions that inhibits
the possibility of trust and the probability of learning. Unfortunately to
loosen etiquette or its other disguise, professionalism, requires the teacher
to evaluate just where they "are" with students.
A trusting rapport eliminates most etiquette problems and increases student
success.
Description of Activity
To loosen up the classroom environment in ways that education can break through tradition.
Application
First, trust must rise
and be accepted as real, a given, something students and the teacher can count
on from each other.
Second, humor must evolve as not just okay but absolutely necessary, from
students and their teacher.
Third, given students the responsibility to get the teacher's attention by
given them options. I tell students that can raise their hand but just speaking
up then they think it's a good time is fine with me. Traditionally, speaking up
is not proper etiquette. Seldom to students who feel appreciated, trusted and
valued, abuse this act. Normally, they speak afer a point is made, and if they
interrupt slightly, well, is form more important than content? Traditional
etiquette many times kills good ideas, the desire and opportunity to learn.
this web page was created
on 11/6/99 at 10:13:26 AM
and modified on 11/6/99 at 10:13:26 AM