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 have two sons and I would deal with this situation in the same way I have had to deal with it at home. I would speak to the "know it all" and let them know how proud I am of them for always trying their best, but then I would ask them, "How do you think you are making your classmates feel when you say these insulting things to them?" Then I would say, "Please help me by showing me what a good leader you can be and by encouraging your teammates to participate rather than discouraging them." Usually, dealing with the unacceptable behavior of one can change the unacceptable behavior of the other. I would also check back with them more frequently and check to see if the group is working more positively after that.