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Keep their perspective in mind. They’re most likely taking general frustration out on the most proximate irritant, AKA your class. Only they don’t see it that way. In fact, it has absolutely nothing to do with you. From a teenager’s perspective, it’s THEIR class and they would rather be on social media. It’s not usually directly disrespectful but rather momentary anger that they can’t do something they want to do.
Think of it like going through a construction zone in the middle of your commute and that has been in the middle of your commute since April (I’m looking at you, SR93 construction mess!). You might grumble about the construction, but you probably don’t hate the actual workers, planners, forepersons, or even the reason for the construction. And chances are you know it will help improve your future commute once it’s all finished. But that doesn’t stop the immediate frustration of having to wait out a long line of cars on a single lane road. So you might grumble that you hate construction the same way students grumble that they hate your class. Even though you’re pouring time and money into their future, it isn’t always what they view as convenient or fun in the moment. But it doesn’t mean they hate you or your efforts or possibly even the class, despite what they claim. Most of the time it’s misdirected frustration during the crazy teen years when everything is cataclysmic and earthshaking.
Chief
Well, I may have to use this. It always does kinda of dig in when they say things like that
I have found that it’s not personal, they just don’t like the reading or the writing assignments. I’ve had plenty of kids who tell me at the end of the year that they will miss me, but not the subject matter.
Chief
Yes my heart melts when they say they will miss me. Last year I one of my 8th grade boys came to me and said, "please move to high school to teach. I will take business class if you do.
Quick and direct answer to your question: "You don't HAVE to like it, but you DO have to PASS it -- or I'll see you again next year."
Chief
Ewwww-yeah! I love this. I'm getting some good fuel for my comebacks.
You can always mess with them a little bit. You can smile and say, "Yes! I've ruined another person's day! Go me!" Or you can look very serious and say, " Oh, my, that is a problem. What could we do to make this a better experience for you? Would you like to come after school to brainstorm it with me?" Or just toss off, "I bet you say that to all the teachers" (respect to Meatloaf on that one). Or pantomime a dagger to the heart.
The key to all of this is not to take it to seriously. Yeah, we want to light the fire, we want them to enjoy learning, we want to be engaging. But some days that won't happen. Sometimes we (and they) just have to work. If you suspect that there really is a problem, you can ask a trusted colleague to observe and give you feedback on ways to change it up.
Chief
That would be tough, sometimes sarcasm relieves the pressure. I am not typically one to spew out sarcasm, but I have friends who are perfect at it.
I’m recently retired, but taught Literature for 28 years. I always tried to do engaging projects and fun game reviews, but some kids simply don’t like to read, and have said they hated the class, except when we do fun things. I take that as a win for the most part. I always told them that while I try to make things engaging and fun, but sometimes learning is simply about learning. Reading is a skill they would use forever. I always did book reviews as well. In these reviews, I always had a hook…I would build the book up until they wanted to find out what happened, so they wanted to sign a book out.
If I’m totally honest, for as much as I tried to make things interesting and fun, my ego sometimes took a hit when I heard the few say they hated the class cause they hated reading. Don’t take it personally. There will always be some kids who just don’t like the subject area you teach, not you. Kids don’t like anything they can’t do well. Help them to do well, and you won’t hear complaints as often.
Chief
You are so right! I have students who hate typing days, but on the unplugged/interactive days they are totally engaged.
You can really have some fun, if you want. When they say, “I hate this class,” you can come back with, “Right?!?! Some days I do too!” Then give a big sigh and say, “I guess we’ll both have to stick it out: you to pass the class and me to get a paycheck.” Then give them a big smile and laugh. 😁
When a kid yawns in my class loudly and rudely, I’ll look right at them and say, “Sometimes you bore me too!” And then I’ll kind of chuckle and smile. They always apologize for the big yawn and it stops the rude yawn in one or two comments. 😉
I know. They just assume we’re a punching bag and when we return it, they’re always surprised…
“There is nothing good happening in the teachers lounge,” told by my mentor principal early in my career. Listen, never repeat. Don’t share personal info as gossip will happen!