Dear students, I promise not to nag . . . too much
At the beginning of the school year, teachers everywhere are scrambling for the same thing: the newest engaging icebreaker. I’ve done about every one – Find-a-Friend Bingo, Two Truths and a Lie, the Yarn Web . . . the list goes on.
This year, I gave students in English I Honors a “First Day of School Survey,” basically asking students about their interests, people they admire, and the type of student they are. But it also asked another question: “What things should I do as a teacher to help you do well this year?”
I admit, I have given these questionnaires before and have put them away for a “when I have time to read them” day. And, as teachers know, that day never really comes.
This year, I decided I would actually read them – all 122 of them. And I am so glad I did. Some made me laugh, some made me teary, and some just made me think. Here are some of my favorite responses:
Just Funny
“I think you should make class as fun as possible. I also think you should let us eat in class.”
“I like quizzes when they’re easy.”
“You should not give homework and let us pick our seat every time.”
“I don’t like when teachers nag. I don’t like assigned seating. Please wake me up when I fall asleep.”
Funny with Impressive Punctuation and Diction
“I don’t hate writing essays and paragraphs, but I don’t love it either. I particularly dislike summaries.”
“You could, no offense, have a better book than last year. Again, no offense.”
Pass the Tissues
“A teacher who can connect with me on a personal level really helps me work and learn to the best of my ability.”
“Understand that I make mistakes.”
“Be patient. Treat us with love and kindness.”
To the Point
“Tell students who are talking or disrupting class to stop.”
“Teaching isn’t handing out work and isolating yourself from the classroom environment.”
“Just teach me. That’s it.”
So, yes, students, I will be patient and treat you with love and kindness. I will teach you to the best of my ability and make it fun whenever possible. Sorry, you will write summaries and stay awake in class, but I promise to keep nagging to a minimum.
