Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: Know it all Every class has one: a "know it all." Well, in class I had a student who thought she was the gift to the classroom and knew absolutely everything about everything. We were doing a pair share activity and she was completely insulting one of the students in her group who didn't really feel like participating. On one hand, the girl was being overly mean, but on the other hand the student wasn't doing what he was supposed to do. I was wondering if I should tell the student to calm down and not worry about the other student, or should I tell the unmotivated student to buck up and do the work? Either choice seems to have its draw backs and I can't really tell both of them to leave each other alone and do the work because then they will both be upset with me and not do the work. Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) I am finding that too many teachers and interns are assuming what will happen before they try anything. There is no telling that both students will be upset and then not do the work. However, they both need to understand their responsibilities as students in the class and act appropriately during lessons. As the teacher, it would be most effective to take each student aside, separately, and express to them what you expect from each of them. For the "know it all" it is best to just allow her to be who she is but explain to her that she is not the teacher and therefore it is not her responsibility to direct other students on what to do or how to work. She needs to understand that it is not polite to boss other students around or make them feel bad about how they work. Have a discussion with her about what you expect during group activities and how to treat other students. As for the other student, it is important that you speak to her about her participation during class activities and what you expect from all of your students regarding class work. If problems persist between the two then you should change the groups they are in to avoid future altercations.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Rated On: March 2, 2013 2:31 pm Rated By: eHeGuL                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Rated On: March 3, 2013 6:44 pm Rated By: GaTuWy                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Rated On: April 23, 2013 12:26 pm Rated By: RumuVa                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: It is important to try different solutions. Rated On: February 25, 2018 1:03 am Rated By: NaGava                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I agree with this completely. It's best to address both students rather than just one - it solves both problems when you do this and neither student feels like they were singled out. Rated On: October 11, 2018 3:39 am Rated By: eguQep