Report from the Field – Tim Bennett

4 thoughts on “Report from the Field – Tim Bennett”

1. Leah

   January 7, 2015 at 4:23 pm

   This is such a fun one! I am looking for a few new movie talks for level 1. But, I have to ask Tim: Do you get stupid comments from the students about the lady in the bikini? Just, not sure about that…

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2. Laurie

   January 7, 2015 at 6:33 pm

   Dear Leah,
   Trust your gut. It’s your classroom. If you wouldn’t appreciate your own child saying it, don’t allow it in your room. Students will rise to the occasion.
   Each teacher must find his/her “line in the sand.” Don’t be afraid to draw yours. It is important.
   If we don’t draw the line about remarks and behavior, we give the impression that either a) we don’t have limits b) we want to be popular more than we want to be adult or c) we just aren’t thinking.
   A wise leader once told me ‘Always err on the side of the students.” I think that erring on the side of too sensitive is doing just that.
   with love,
   Laurie

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3. Ben Slavic

   January 7, 2015 at 6:59 pm

   And off color comments are a slippery slope. They are always testing us. I go with, “That’s inappropriate!” in English, accompanied by The Look and it’s over in two seconds. You are so right, Laurie. I think it is a quality of younger teachers to make the huge mistake of, as you say, wanting to be “more popular than we want to be adult.” They’ll learn, hopefully not the hard way. We’re the adults in the room, period. They need us to be that.

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4. Tim Bennett

   January 9, 2015 at 9:12 am

   Leah, I haven’t had a problem with comments but I totally agree with the responses on this thread.

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