A teacher needs to know their students to be effective.
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I have a study hall for 35 min once a week with 21 students and it's just too many even for something as boring and "simple" as study hall. (it'd be fine if it wasn't 7th graders, 7th grade is the hardest time for students, and they are so annoying, they know they are annoying and they just don't know how to stop and need our help.)
It's the WORST part of my week.
21 is pushing it since saying something to each of them pushes my limits, and they do need that.
There is a notion that "students aren't learning anything in study hall so it's not important"
I think for middle school students this is a big mistake. Study hall is the start of learning to manage your own time. Do you get your homework done? It's also learning to be considerate of others.
Some of the other teachers think I'm a little crazy for wanting to discuss it so much, but I think we could improve it a lot.
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There is a notion that "students aren't learning anything in study hall so it's not important"
I think for middle school students this is a big mistake. Study hall is the start of learning to manage your own time. Do you get your homework done? It's also learning to be considerate of others.
Some of the other teachers think I'm a little crazy for wanting to discuss it so much, but I think we could improve it a lot.
And if they aren't "learning anything" in study hall lets get rid of it.
I will teach them about ants instead.
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And if they aren't "learning anything" in study hall lets get rid of it.
I will teach them about ants instead.
I'm mostly kidding about that. But, if adults think something is a "throw away" kids can tell and it becomes a throw away.
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And if they aren't "learning anything" in study hall lets get rid of it.
I will teach them about ants instead.
@futurebird
I never had a study hall period all through K12—I honestly never understood the point of it? (But that’s maybe because in my schools it seemed to be viewed as a dumping ground for low-performing students who needed to be kept on campus.) -
Also 150 is the number of students in all of my classes combined. Basically the number I need to "know" at one time. It includes clubs, and everything I do at the school.
In a given class 12-18 students is the ideal number.
@futurebird
yeah, I think that’s a good size for most classes at any level (except seminars at upper-undergrad or graduate level)—but 150 still seems like a lot to get to know wellI’d target it at more like 50 to be optimal tbh
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In other words they are still trying to reduce "meaningful human contact hours" to make it as objective as possible.
But the "tell" that this isn't a serious proposal? The best schools where the children of the wealthy get their education won't even consider this for a second. We'd stop using paper to save money first, we'd do anything else.
This is only be floated for "other people's kids"
Young people need the time and attention of adults to grow up and learn. Controversial I know.
@futurebird kids also benefit from having role models. In the case of teachers, the simplest part of being a role model is demonstrating interest in the topic being taught, showing that it has value to real adults and isn't just something forced on kids by 'the system'
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@futurebird
I never had a study hall period all through K12—I honestly never understood the point of it? (But that’s maybe because in my schools it seemed to be viewed as a dumping ground for low-performing students who needed to be kept on campus.)@tkinias @futurebird I think that's important: it *can* be a place where they learn to rebel against being "dumped" and babysat.
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There is a notion that "students aren't learning anything in study hall so it's not important"
I think for middle school students this is a big mistake. Study hall is the start of learning to manage your own time. Do you get your homework done? It's also learning to be considerate of others.
Some of the other teachers think I'm a little crazy for wanting to discuss it so much, but I think we could improve it a lot.
My experience is that students don't really learn anything in any class.
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My experience is that students don't really learn anything in any class.
If that's how my classes went I'd quit. I could do other jobs that pay more. I teach because I like teaching.
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@futurebird
yeah, I think that’s a good size for most classes at any level (except seminars at upper-undergrad or graduate level)—but 150 still seems like a lot to get to know wellI’d target it at more like 50 to be optimal tbh
30-50 is the number out of the 150 who are "my" students, the ones who'd come to me first for whatever reason.
They are all nerds. I'm a nerd magnet.
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@tkinias @futurebird I think that's important: it *can* be a place where they learn to rebel against being "dumped" and babysat.
@geonz
I attended study hall once in high school, on the first day of classes (because of a scheduling screw-up). It was eye-opening: the teacher was a coach of some kind who was very openly power-tripping (“if you cross me by *God* I will make your life hell” kind of vibe).
@futurebird -
In other words they are still trying to reduce "meaningful human contact hours" to make it as objective as possible.
But the "tell" that this isn't a serious proposal? The best schools where the children of the wealthy get their education won't even consider this for a second. We'd stop using paper to save money first, we'd do anything else.
This is only be floated for "other people's kids"
Young people need the time and attention of adults to grow up and learn. Controversial I know.
@futurebird EXACTLY. This is for the plebs. This is for the masses who, in the minds of those promoting this crap, exist only to serve the rich.
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@geonz
I attended study hall once in high school, on the first day of classes (because of a scheduling screw-up). It was eye-opening: the teacher was a coach of some kind who was very openly power-tripping (“if you cross me by *God* I will make your life hell” kind of vibe).
@futurebirdHow many kids were in there? My old school used to do "doubles" on study hall because "it's easier"
No.
Oh no no no.
45 9th graders? I can't even say hello to all of them in the time allotted. So you end up having "Serious Rules" because otherwise it's just going to be 30min of chaos that no one needs in their life.
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@futurebird EXACTLY. This is for the plebs. This is for the masses who, in the minds of those promoting this crap, exist only to serve the rich.
"Your kid doesn't need to go to college or learn about silly things like art and history. That might make them GAY. Isn't it better if they get training on how to work in an amazon warehouse instead?"
"Well what is YOUR kid doing?"
"Uh... studying art history and reading poetry ... but never mind that. We will give your child work experience so they can get a job!"
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How many kids were in there? My old school used to do "doubles" on study hall because "it's easier"
No.
Oh no no no.
45 9th graders? I can't even say hello to all of them in the time allotted. So you end up having "Serious Rules" because otherwise it's just going to be 30min of chaos that no one needs in their life.
@futurebird
oh, I don’t recall exactly (this was in the 1980s lol) but it was way larger than a normal class size—so I’d say at least 60, probably more
@geonz -
@futurebird
oh, I don’t recall exactly (this was in the 1980s lol) but it was way larger than a normal class size—so I’d say at least 60, probably more
@geonz -
@futurebird kids also benefit from having role models. In the case of teachers, the simplest part of being a role model is demonstrating interest in the topic being taught, showing that it has value to real adults and isn't just something forced on kids by 'the system'
I have a Masters (in astrophysics), have been tangentially involved in academia throughout a working life, and I am here to tell kids that what they are being taught has no value to adults other than to keep them in line and is forced on them by the system.
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I have a Masters (in astrophysics), have been tangentially involved in academia throughout a working life, and I am here to tell kids that what they are being taught has no value to adults other than to keep them in line and is forced on them by the system.
Do you think compulsory education should be abolished?
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There is a notion that "students aren't learning anything in study hall so it's not important"
I think for middle school students this is a big mistake. Study hall is the start of learning to manage your own time. Do you get your homework done? It's also learning to be considerate of others.
Some of the other teachers think I'm a little crazy for wanting to discuss it so much, but I think we could improve it a lot.
Study hall can also be a place and time for kids who feel overwhelmed at school (or home!) to chill out.
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Study hall can also be a place and time for kids who feel overwhelmed at school (or home!) to chill out.
Our upper school students don't have study halls. They do have "free periods" where they must remain on campus ... but that's about it. We can only do this because most of them have learned to manage that time sensibly. Every year someone wants to pack more things in the schedule and I always push back because that free time helps so many of them.
The middle school students have study hall since they don't know how to use a free period yet. Poor things.
