Any new chemistry teachers here?

[blueeyedgirl]

how's it going for you?


I've had some chemistry students become really annoying already....
arguing w/me about how they don't need to take notes, and they think they'll pass that they don't need to do really well (just pass the regents)

I swear, I had a kid tell me today, "I don't mean to bust your chops, but I'll do what I have to do to get by...I don't need to have you tell me to take notes"....I def also feel like an outsider when ALL my students are white (lots of hicks in this school area), and I'm not.

This is such a ****************y attitude to have, especially only the 2nd week of school....and also because at the end of the year, the admin just looks at the teachers' student's scores on the regents....




I just hope time will make this better :rolleyes:

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

I'd become annoying too if my chemistry teacher called me a hick.

[Unregistered]

I can see why your students may have the attitude towards you that they do. You should never refer to students as "hicks" or anything else!!

You can't "force" a student to take notes. If they aren't taking notes, just kept a file on them and record the dates that they do not take notes, complete class work, etc. That way you are covered if a parent ever questions you. That has always worked for me.

I don't "force" students to do anything BUT I do not allow them to disrupt my classroom while other students are learning. I allow them to sit there and do nothing, but I keep it on file, so that I am always covered.

[Unregistered]

i don't call them hicks, i was mad and wrote it last night when i posted


this school is rural and they dont have textbooks for students to take home, so they need their notes to study

hopefully they wont do well on their first test and that'll put some fire under 'em

[Unregistered]

I dont' know how this would work for you, but it has worked for me in the past.

I make a deal with the students. If they make an A or B on the test, then I will give them the notes for the next chapter (powerpoint, overheads copies, etc.) BUT if they make below an A or B they have to take the notes themselves. This has been a good incentive before and works wonders for some students!!

It may or may not be worth trying!

[Lisa's Hotscakes]

I tend to want my students to do well on exams. Silly me.

[greenfiremajick]

Great idea! If I were a student, I think that would work for me!!
Of course, I was raised as a white hick in TX, so............
Sorry blueyedgirl, couldn't resist! I'm not offended you called white people hicks, because well, because I think it was just in the heat of the moment you said that...But you may want to really think about your true feelings about the area you're in and the students you're teaching....It will make a difference in how they respond to you, etc...Students at any age can perceive how you truly feel about them...Time to embrace your current setting girl!!!!

I dont' know how this would work for you, but it has worked for me in the past.

I make a deal with the students. If they make an A or B on the test, then I will give them the notes for the next chapter (powerpoint, overheads copies, etc.) BUT if they make below an A or B they have to take the notes themselves. This has been a good incentive before and works wonders for some students!!

It may or may not be worth trying!

[Unregistered]

Hang in there blueyed girl. My experience is that sometimes students are disrespectful at school because they are allowed to be disrespectful at home, and it has nothing to do with your presentation. Although you want them all to learn and to do well, the fact is that some of them will choose not to. Keep trying to reach them, but don't beat yourself up for not being able to. And don't beat yourself up for the hick remark... we've all been there, too. Good luck.