How do you handle sarcastic students??
@cecillecarmela (3818)
Philippines
August 20, 2009 8:14am CST
Hi! I'm currently on my off campus teaching somewhere in a high school in Manila, Philippines and I'm handling four sections all boys.. =D Everyday I encounter sarcastic students who would interrupt you with your class discussion and although I exercise discipline to my students, my mom would always remind me that I should be cautious with my words because those could often lead to verbal assault.
So how do you know when to stop? What are your limitations as a teacher??
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5 responses
@yohandanu (30)
• Sri Lanka
20 Aug 09
I am a teacher too and i sometimes face these kind of sarcastic talks,and those moments i really ask them "what did you say?" If that is something foul I really go hard at them and i will punish them.It doesn't matter whether they are boys or girls and even age is not a problem for me because at circumstances we face these kind of things we have to take relevant actions immediately,if not then they will carry out it for future.
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@MistyWood (349)
•
23 Aug 09
I am a teacher with over 14 years experience in high school education... So here goes!
Rule 1 - You are the adult... act like it, don't drop yourself to the students level.
Rule 2 - Tactical ignoring... they are trying to get a response.... if you think it was muttered under the breath ignore it... If not rule 3.
Rule 3 - "I will speak to you later" said to the student quietly so as not to draw attention... remember attention is what they are seeking
Rule 4 - Use the school rules and sanctions... If you don't you will be seen as weak!
Rule 5 - Don't threaten - PROMISE!... and carry it through
Rule 6 - Draw your line in the sand, know your expectations and STICK TO THEM!
Rule 7 - Involve the parents... "I am really worried about X, in class today he/she said..." this usually has the desired response
I hope these help - it is what I have always done and I am known to not take any ****!
Misty
Oh... my online articles, http://mistysarticlesonline.blogspot.com/ has 2 really good teaching ones on there - part of an advice series I am writing "Top 10 tips for teachers." You need to look for Top 10 tips for teachers - the golden rules & Top 10 tips for teachers - starting out
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@thaMARKER (2503)
• Philippines
23 Aug 09
i get to encounter a lot of sarcastic people in a day as i talk to people one on one on a daily basis. i just ignore them sometimes or most of the time i let them learn something they don't know when they're showing me their sarcasm.
complains due to verbal faulty is not worth it honey so don't mind it. don't go level to their level. you're there to let them level to where they're supposed to be. 
@maezee (41988)
• United States
20 Aug 09
Do you mean they are sarcastic during discussion? I'm not really sure what you mean but I'll try to help anyway. I would call them out on it if possible. You could say "Sarcasm aside, how do you feel about such and such.." (Continuing on with your discussion). Or you could say something like, to the student, "Well, it's obvious that you feel this way..Do you care to elaborate WHY you feel that way for the sake of discussion?" The big thing about discussion is to get people talking and discussing the materials; whether they look at it with a positive or negative outlook isn't really important..So long as they're using examples from the book (or material - whatever you're discussing) to back up their statements.
Don't get upset with them; possibly be sarcastic back to them, too. A taste of their own medicine, I guess? I've heard a lot of my teachers doing this.
If it gets to be a HUGE problem, you could try contacting some of their parents about it. And setting up a conference/meeting to discuss this.
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@mrfierdu (25)
• Bangladesh
20 Aug 09
Hey......... This is an interesting point... I am doing my internship, & as a part of it, I need to take classes...
So far I can understand, There is may be two reasons for such things....
01. Classes r boring (topic is too hard to understand or too easy that they already know)
02. Just to draw attention of others (teacher or classmates); showing off/ heroism you know.. LOLZ :)
What I used to do, is assign them some work to do & prove themselves.... ask some questions on lesson.. I make them stand on such situation that if they fail.. they will loose their reputation....
What I strongly feel is, problem will be under control if you treat them psychologically; & of course keep distance... dont be friend.
@johnice (6)
• Bahamas
21 Aug 09
Well this can be a tough situation to be in but hey take it day by day. I can advise you to be sarcastic back. Remember you are the teacher so you should know how to use tactics on your students. The country that I live in teachers can get away with beating students as a source of discipline. But sound t\like that is a definite no no for you. Again take day by day.
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