Fires in the Bathroom Chapter 3 "Classroom Behavior"

     There were two specific area's of this chapter that really struck me as shocking and it's really making me think, do I have the wrong idea? "A teacher who wants a classroom that works has to fulfill the bargain students described in chapter 2: Know and care about the material, treat kids with respect and fairness, and they will pay attention, do the work, give up some freedom, and play by the rules. Students realize that this bargain will pay off eventually, in learning and life success. But if teachers signal unwillingness to keep up their part, kids will immediately act to right the balance of power that makes the deal fair. The struggle that results is what many people consider an "out of control classroom" (p.36-37). The other note that works hand in hand with the first one that really left me appalled was "Be honest and matter-of-fact when students break the rules, reminding them why they all agreed to them. If unacceptable behavior comes up that wasn't on the list, make clear why it detracts from the goals of the class. Warn offending students two or three times at most, then impose appropriate consequence" (p. 38-39).

    These idea's of working with the students and not being a dictator to an extent is helpful because students shouldn't just feel like their being taught at but rather that they have a part in their education as well. However, it wasn't long since I was in middle school and high school and these ways of handling classroom behavior were never done in my schools. I understand that schools change and that as society changes so does many aspects of the world, (i.e. education), but I think it's absurd to have classroom behavior be a "bargain" between students and teachers. In schools growing up I was expected to know what right from wrong was and each student was responsible for their actions and choices. Now I am not saying if a student makes a mistake it should be taken to the extreme, but I also think that by the time students reach middle school and high school they have been in school long enough to know what is expected of them and what isn't and they need to take responsibility for what they do. I was taught what was right and wrong even as early as Kindergarten and I was definitely aware that actions have consequences by second grade and that is why when I read this I wonder what's different from when I was in school to now. Maybe because of the expectations I had in school and the fact that students in those schools were able to follow them, I don't see why it is so challenging for older students to abide by the same rules they've been taught since they started school.