Do teachers actually read that information sheet?

Question

like the one they give you on the first day of class? im not talking about the one where it list phones #'s, email, health, etc. im talking about the ones that ask who's your favorite singer? what are your hobbies? what's your favorite subject? and my all time favorite(not really) what would you change about yourself? iono i just find it hard to believe that you guys are actually interested in what we like.

Answer 1

I read them.

Answer 2

I ALWAYS read them! I like knowing what interests my students. I like knowing what you are thinking about and what you think about the world around you.

This information comes in handy at project time, too! Your info can help me suggest a science project that might interest you.

Answer 3

I read them when I collect them, then set them aside.  A few weeks later, when I know them better, I read them again.  Then I file them in each student's section in my filing cabinet.  When I need to motivate or challenge a particular student, I pull out his or her sheet to get ideas.  Sometimes I pass them back at the end of the year.  Younger students especially get a kick out of how much their interests have changed.

Answer 4

I also read the info sheets!  To be perfectly honest, it make teaching middle school kids easier if you know what they like.  Believe it or not, there are teachers that not only want to teach their subject, but want to treat the students like a real person.

I truly believe, that teaching becomes easier when you make connections and understand students strengths and weaknesses.

Answer 5

I always read them, and then I reread them a few weeks into the school year, after I've gotten to know my students better and I can place the face to the name. I also base some of my in-class activities and independent projects on the information collected on those sheets.

Answer 6

Teachers are sometimes tempted to fill those first few classes with easy, friendly assignments like filling out that information sheet you talk about.  Teachers like it because it breaks the ice a bit, makes students think the class will be a friendly place, and actually does give the teacher a way of getting to know the students.  I try not to give my students any assignment, no matter how "friendly", unless I'm going to read the entire thing.  Let's hope your teacher feels the same way. The part about us being interested in what you like- believe it.  Good teachers are interested in their students, but not just because they are their students, but because they are people,  just like the teachers are.  We should all be interested in one another, no matter what age.

Answer 7

Just because some students aren't interested in us doesn't mean we aren't interested in them. Of course we read it. That's how we find out that people like you are really idealistic but like to pretend otherwise. And then we teach and plan accordingly. My advice? Fill it out and be honest, without cynicism. Remember we were young too once, and we haven't forgotten how it feels.

Answer 8

It depends on the teacher and his/her purpose for making you do them.  I have a general rule in my room for myself.  That rule is 'Don't make the students write on worksheets that I don't want to look at'. In other words I hate checking papers so I only use what I am going to actually read.  

For your question, I have used those to group students based on their interests.  They are my interest surveys.  I have also used them to determine students' type of intelligence.  I am a big user of multiple intelligences in my class, so these interest surveys are quite useful for me.  I also use them to determine which types of  books I want to add to my library.  Students will read what they are interested in first.  This will then get them into reading books about things they like.  

Answer 9

I always read them and would not start off the year without doing so.I always try and talk privately with each student the first week as well, asking them what they expect from this class.

1) Is there anything you want me to know about you?

2) I try to call each parent the first week of school and introduce myself to them, passing along a number they can reach me at.

I would not start a school year any other way and I teach at high school level.