Sometimes when a student is acting out, you
address their behavior publicly, but sometimes its better to do it privately. Here's the scenario: students are completing an assignment, and you asked the students to work on
a separate sheet of paper instead of trying to show their work on the half
sheet that has the problems printed on it. In the middle of class, after
writing a few hints on the board, you notice a student is writing their work on
this half sheet. You address the student publicly and make
a statement along the lines of "You better copy that work onto
another sheet because I will not be grading that", and the student looks
visibly upset. Similar situations have happened with this same student
and each time he looks more and more upset, when is it time to speak with him
privately or will changing the way you address the problem publicly be enough?
You are getting a good read on this. I have found that calling a student out (for anything) will often result in shutting that student down or making them very nervous. Whenever you can, take a student aside, or very quietly speak to them at their desk about a concern. If you explain why you will not grade something that way, it will help. Also, if there is a student or if there are students who routinely seem to go off reservation with what they are doing, make sure that they are the students you quietly touch base with as they start their assignments so that you are sure that they do not get off track. They will start to appreciate the time you take before they run into trouble even if they are a bit uncomfortable. Plus, it will save you tension down the road.
ReplyDeleteAlternatively, model for the class exactly what you expect them to do and explain why. Then you can be more assured that they are with you.
The last thing any student wants to do is re-write something. Always keep that in mind.