In school, are the kids who speak up in class considered NERDS?

Question

I teach school and one of the hardest things to do is convince kids to speak up in class. Most will just sit there and stare into space and look all bored and indifferent. The ones who do speak up in class seem to be outcasts and nerds. Many are yelled at for speaking up in class by their peers. It seems like the best way to be popular to show a lack of interest in what is going on in class and just mark time.

How about at your school?

Answer 1

at my school as a teacher we expect eveeryone to contribute every lesson

  we have a clicker system so that students can enter their responses and we can get feedback instnaeuosly- we arent a rich school!

we also have a whiteboard for each kid so that they can communicate other ideas in class.

  it gets rid of the mentality that fastest is best and loudest is best also.

Answer 2

At our school, SOME of the smartest people are actually the most popular. I have this major crush on a guy who gets straight-A's and is in my advanced math class. He has glasses and braces, but he is so cute! And he raises his hand all the time, but he is still a jock and lots of girls love him. And he is so friendly. I'm not exactly an outcast, but I would raise my hand if I actually knew the answer!

Answer 3

You, as the teacher, have to take the initiative to get kids to talk and do it in a way that no one will laugh or make fun.  That's pretty easy - here's how:

Put each student's name on an index card.  When it's time to discuss or participate and no one seems interested, shuffle the cards and pick one.  When the child responds, mark it somehow on the card (I usually put a check mark or a minus sign).  Keep going until everyone has participated (it may take more than one day, but the kids will quickly understand that ANYONE can and will be called upon, so it's all equal and fair).  Remember, if you have a shy child or one who is not too good in your class, be sure to ask that child a question he/she KNOWS the first time or two you do this - that will give the kid confidence to try a question he might NOT know in the future, AND it will prevent the others from laughing).  Oh, you can also tell the kids that when they have "X" number of tries on their cards, they get "X" number of extra credit points.  Or you can do it for a participation grade.

Answer 4

This has been going on for a long time, and I think this is something that affects most classes to some degree. I've been witness to this ever since I was a kid and I graduated high school over 10 years ago. I can only guess that a way to encourage participation is to stress the importance verbally and reward the kids with something depending on what type of students you have: less homework, extra stress on class participation grade, etc.

It's ashame being dumb, ignorant, and underachieving is considered cool.

Answer 5

That does seem to be the norm.  Many kids in my class will yell at others stuff like "nerds" simply because they participate.  Use small group discussions and go to each group and ask for inputs on the topic from every member.  Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Hi I just graduated high school. It sounds like you a primary school teacher, or maybe I'm wrong haha. But I remember I wouldn't want to speak up a lot of times because I was afraid I would be made fun of for being wrong. If the boy I liked was in my class and I wasn't 110% sure I knew the answer I definately didn't speak up. I think it's because they are scared of rejection. The smart kids, I think, have know problem speaking up because they think their impressioning those they wish to be friends with. Now Im just a college freshman so I'm no expert but that my opinion. I'm going to school to be a high school math teacher and I'm so excited!

Answer 7

If they look bored and indifferent, then they probably are bored and indifferent. They aren't trying to fit in.

However, those who speak up in class, are judged based on context. If they always get the answers right or debate with the teacher by asking critical thinking questions are know-it-alls.

Those who just try to speak up, not neccessarily getting the right answers are teachers pets.

At my school, the only ones who get yelled at are the ones who debate ridiculous arguements. Everyone else remains bored/indifferent.

Do you have a class participation grade? because that makes my school go nuts if they know they get graded for participating and no one wants to tease kids who speak up because the participating kids have better grades anyway..

Answer 8

at my school we aren't judged for speaking up.