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Written by Atticus Parker
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Friday, 05 February 2010 14:28 |
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My mother in-law was talking the other day about an experience she had when her son was in primary school. He was moved into a class where he had no friends. I am not sure if this happened mid year or at the start of a new one. Regardless he wasn't happy and neither was she. She ended up going to the school and requesting he be placed in a class where he had friends.
Now I really have no experience with the primary school sphere despite the fact I went to a couple when I was young. So I don't know if this course of action was a good thing or not - in that setting. In a high school though I would have reservations about this sort of request. Perhaps it is my teaching style or just my experience but I often see the dark side of having close friends in the same class.
Primarily friends can be a distraction. Many teenagers struggle to be organised and focused even without the influence of peer pressure and the need for peer approval. Add to this a desire to socialise and you have a brick wall standing between a student and learning. In a couple of my classes I have an issue where students constantly try to show their friends the fruits of their labour. This can be a good thing but not when it is every minute or so.
In a high school (secondary) subjects are also content based or even streamed by ability so a requests to switch classes are often viewed with care. Students at my school always try to work the system to be in a class with their friends. They are quite open about this with teachers and then lie openly when asked for their reasoning by administration.
in a high school class room socialisation with friends could quite possibly be last on the list of things to do - in my opinion. Lunch times and after school would be far more appropriate times. Am i being myopic about this? If any parents read this I would be particularly interested in your repsonses.
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Last Updated on Friday, 05 February 2010 14:59 |
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