Straight Talk: Don't Act Like You Know Everything (you don't)

 

One of the biggest mistakes I've seen teachers (both rookies and veterans) make is trying to pretend like they know all the answers. CLUE: They don't. No one does. 👿 If you are flummoxed by a grammar question, tell your students. Say, "That is a tough one. Honestly, I'm not really sure. Let me find out." If you can't figure out the symbolism in a particular story, ask them if they have any thoughts. (Of course, being well-prepared for class helps, but sometimes you can get blindsided by something you hadn't even thought of. Been there. Done that.)

I've learned that students appreciate your honesty. And if you try to fake your way through, someone always knows. If you misspell a word on the board or make some other error on a test or handout, and a student catches it, give 'em a reward. Say, "That's awesome!!" 👍Give them bonus points. Or a free homework pass. Whatever you have. I used to give out stickers. Yes, even high schoolers like to get stickers. lol! And you can see the pride on their faces that they have caught something the teacher missed.

When my students would spot an error I had made, even if it was just a typo, I used to say, "I always make one mistake a year, that that's it." Then when it happened again, I'd say the same thing. It would become a running joke in the classroom, and the kids appreciated that I could laugh at my own errors. 😎 They thought I was cool. 

Teachers who get angry with students who correct their mistakes are teachers who lack confidence in their abilities. And students see that right away. And they will rapidly lose respect for teachers who act like that.

They need to see that you recognize you are not perfect. It makes it easier for them to accept corrections of their own errors. 💁You are modeling for them how to handle being corrected. Let them see it's not the end of the world to make some errors. It's just life. 

I can't tell you how many times I'd take an item from the grammar textbook in the hall and consult my fellow ELA teachers. And you know what? Sometimes none of us could figure out the right answer. 👀

This is all a part of creating a climate in your classroom of mutual respect and honesty. You don't want an antagonist relationship with your students. The best classroom management occurs when students know that their teacher is there to help them learn and grow.