| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Do you use high fives in the classroom? |
| yes |
|
50% |
[ 20 ] |
| no |
|
37% |
[ 15 ] |
| not yet, but I will |
|
12% |
[ 5 ] |
|
| Total Votes : 40 |
|
| Author |
Message |
murmanjake
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
|
 Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:01 pm Post subject: |
 |
|
| take a rest wrote: |
| passport220 wrote: |
| If students would view you as a clown/monkey for showing them enthusiastic encouragement for strong output, You likely did something to look like a clown/monkey for other behaviors in the first place. |
To me, high fives are like the first step on the not-so-long journey down to the students' level... and in some cases, beyond. There are other steps as well... it can be like a game:
Have you ever...
Given a high five? Take 1 step down.
Done an impression? Take 3 steps down.
Thrown a handful of candy across the room? Take 2 steps down.
Talked about or made reference to your life of debauchery in a middle school/high school class? Take 7 steps down (you're probably beneath most of your students at this point).
Encouraged/Allowed your students to talk about 'ero', or any other thing perceived by society to be inappropriate for children/young adults, even if they DO know about it outside of class? Take 9 steps down.
Sworn in English or Korean in class? Take 6 steps down.
Built an entire lesson around the idea of random funny pictures with no focus to speak of, except for maybe a vague theme? Well, they probably wouldn't notice, but you still suck. |
What is your teaching style? From your comments it seems you might teach mostly older students, and probably pretty reserved(if one is to judge you on your user name). If that's the case I'd have to agree with you that high fives aren't the best encouragement in your case.
But I don't agree that coming down to their level is a bad thing for any age of students. As long as you can rise back up. The behaviors you listed are mostly unprofessional behaviors that I think most teachers would condemn. But the first two are KEY elements of my teaching strategy.
Acting is how I communicate with my young students. If they don't understand you then SHOW them. High fives show them how you feel. Impressions show them what you mean. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
notinKS
Joined: 11 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 10:24 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| If a student has put together a more advanced statement, either in writing in through speaking, I will give the occasional high five. The kids love this as a sincere form of praise. Btw, I teach middle school students. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
wiganer
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
|
| Posted: Mon Oct 18, 2010 11:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I have to say I have nothing against 'high fives' personally, it's just that it is culturally unique to the United States and probably Canada - I don't know of too many Brits who could do a 'high five' followed by a loud
gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaad jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaab buddddddddddy' with apolmb, you would have to be American to pull it off I think. Personally, I would feel a bit of a tit doing it!  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Morticae
Joined: 06 May 2010
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:36 am Post subject: |
|
|
I greet my middle schoolers with high fives, fist bumps, hugs, and simple hellos. It depends on the student and their general enthusiasm towards me. I'm certainly not going to shoot them down.
And I have never thrown a fistful of candy across the room, but I love throwing pieces of candy (as rewards) at the students. It's a fun game of mini catch, really. Other students like to yell "INTERCEPT!" and try to get it.
I basically work in a retirement home. All of the other teachers are really old. I'm much closer to age with the students than with the other teachers. So yes, I will be fun and friendly. But I also wield a big stick, and as my after school class saw today, have the capability of going batshit ninja crazy if they make me angry.
Teaching is a bit of a balancing act. There's a time for high fives and general chatting, and there's a time to shut up and do the worksheet I gave you.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
le-paul
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Location: dans la chambre
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 12:57 am Post subject: |
|
|
is this what 'mericans do in school at home? do you and your teachers high five each other all the time?
maybe I should start doing this and re-name all my students, 'Chip', 'Sport', 'lil fella' etc... |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:09 am Post subject: |
|
|
i do it with some students (at their initiative) when seeing them outside of class in the hallway, etc, but I don't/and wouldn't do it in class. I teach HS.
If I'm happy with them, I give them a thumbs up, a big smile or applause or a combo of the above.
I don't play "teacher" outside of the classroom, don't bust them when I catch them smoking (though they're scared s-less) or playing hooky, etc.
I'd only play teacher outside of class if they were doing something really wrong, stupid and or dangerous. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
murmanjake
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:19 am Post subject: |
|
|
| le-paul wrote: |
is this what 'mericans do in school at home? do you and your teachers high five each other all the time?
maybe I should start doing this and re-name all my students, 'Chip', 'Sport', 'lil fella' etc... |
Guess it's a bit of a cultural thing too. Never really thought about it that way. guess that kinda unawareness is to be expected, me being a 'merican an all.
My new pole will determine the percentage of 'mericans that use high fives in the classroom vs. the percentage of brits/aussies/canucks that don't.
A related pole will determine the percentage of americans who actually match British expectations of them. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Vagabundo
Joined: 26 Aug 2010
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 4:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
My new pole will determine the percentage of 'mericans that use high fives in the classroom vs. the percentage of brits/aussies/canucks that don't.
A related pole will determine the percentage of americans who actually match British expectations of them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message |
I think your new poll should also includes the percentage of Poles who use high fives in the classroom.
then another poll can gauge whether the Poles or the Americans for that matter give a rat's ass about the British or their expectations about anything.
or whether Poles give a rat's ass about polls. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Wishmaster
Joined: 06 Feb 2003
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 7:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Ain't nothin' wrong with high-fives. Teaching in Korea is not a professional job..it is more akin to babysitting. So, feel free to high five until the end of time. Also, feel free to give out copious amounts of candy and to play hangman. TEACHING IN KOREA IS NOT A REAL TEACHING JOB. You are a showpiece, nothing more. If they could, they would send all of us home. Why do they think you guys in the public school sector are considered "assistants?" LOL. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
passport220
Joined: 14 Jun 2006
Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:18 am Post subject: |
|
|
| Wishmaster wrote: |
| Ain't nothin' wrong with high-fives. Teaching in Korea is not a professional job..it is more akin to babysitting. So, feel free to high five until the end of time. Also, feel free to give out copious amounts of candy and to play hangman. TEACHING IN KOREA IS NOT A REAL TEACHING JOB. You are a showpiece, nothing more. If they could, they would send all of us home. Why do they think you guys in the public school sector are considered "assistants?" LOL. |
You are given time in front of a group of �real� students. If you talk about a life of debauchery, use foul language in class, spend class time playing hangman, come in half hung over, etc. you are at best nothing more than a �showpiece� at worst a �clown/monkey�. Be clear, it is determined by your actions, not by the title of �assistant� or otherwise on your contract.
If you take actions to help your students improve their skills and ability you are a teacher. It does not matter the origins of high-fives, the important thing is they are understood as positive in Korean culture. If you walk around, for no good reason, slapping everyone�s hand like an idiot, you will be perceived as such. If you understand how to use high-fives as positive reinforcement to improve your students skills and ability, you will be perceived as a "real" and positive teacher.
I encourage all teachers to understand and fulfill a proper role in the classroom, but if �going down to a student's level� means showing some human empathy, that you understand they are a bit nervous trying something they are unsure of � go to that level! Positive actions that keep a lesson moving forward bring the level of the class up on balance anyway.
If you can't understand how to use high-fives as positive reinforcement to improve your students skills and ability, don't use high-fives. If you are like the OP and understand how to appropriately use high-fives based on class age (different demeanor when doing it, but I think they can be used for all ages), size, etc. as part of positive reinforcement, motivation, mini counting lesson, classroom/behavior management � good on you! |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
murmanjake
Joined: 21 Oct 2008
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 2:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Vagabundo wrote: |
| Quote: |
My new pole will determine the percentage of 'mericans that use high fives in the classroom vs. the percentage of brits/aussies/canucks that don't.
A related pole will determine the percentage of americans who actually match British expectations of them.
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message |
I think your new poll should also includes the percentage of Poles who use high fives in the classroom.
then another poll can gauge whether the Poles or the Americans for that matter give a rat's ass about the British or their expectations about anything.
or whether Poles give a rat's ass about polls. |
 |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
brento1138
Joined: 17 Nov 2004
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Wishmaster wrote: |
| Ain't nothin' wrong with high-fives. Teaching in Korea is not a professional job..it is more akin to babysitting. So, feel free to high five until the end of time. Also, feel free to give out copious amounts of candy and to play hangman. TEACHING IN KOREA IS NOT A REAL TEACHING JOB. You are a showpiece, nothing more. If they could, they would send all of us home. Why do they think you guys in the public school sector are considered "assistants?" LOL. |
It's all relative and depends completely on your job, boss, age group, expectations, experience, maturity etc....
I know several PS teachers who are serious about their work and are great teachers. I know others who boast about slacking off, hate their job, play hangman, and waste their time as well as the school's money & resources. They seem to be the ones who agree with your opinion on teaching in Korea...
So yeah, teaching in Korea is not a real teaching job... for you.  |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
thedsr
Joined: 22 Feb 2010
Location: USA-Oregon
|
| Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 11:26 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Fishead soup wrote: |
| I don't do it . It makes them look at the Foreign teacher like he she is just a clown/monkey. |
yea...like someone with the screen name fishhead soup is worried about looking like a clown. i will change my name to hamburger |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
