Cherokee 6th Grade
Parents:
Happy 2014! With the New Year comes
changes and goal setting. As a counselor, one of my main roles is to help guide
students to become successful leaders and citizens. I am a firm believer that
success cannot only be measured by smarts (IQ), but also by how well we relate
to each other (Emotional Intelligence, EQ). Many studies show that a higher
level of emotional intelligence will lead to more success and happiness.
Basically, if you get along well with others and you are respectful, you will
go farther in life…not to mention be a happier person. Makes sense when you
think about the people we, as adults, want to be around. Hmm, would I like
to be around the person that knows all about history and how to spell well, but
is snarky and condescending; or someone who needs a calculator’s assistance
every once in a while but makes me feel appreciated? I know what most of us
would choose! Of course, my dream is for all students to have high scores in
both IQ and EQ, but if I have to choose I am going for the EQ. Guess I chose
the right profession. J
At Cherokee, we strive to make a conformable
environment for all of our students. We
hold high expectations for character.
These are just some of the
behaviors that we have been noticing that have created a negative climate in 6th
grade.
- Eyes where they shouldn't be: (i.e. looking around the room at friends while the teachers are talking.) The students have been making eye contact during class, and laughing/gesturing. As you can imagine, this is distracting to others, disrespectful to teachers, and less than helpful for curriculum retention.
- Negative comments/teasing: (this is a BIG problem right now among 6th grade students. Not only do they say mean things to each other, they don’t tend to mind if adults hear! Remarks like, “Bobby, your shirt is too tight.” Followed by a roar of laughter from onlookers and a nervous laugh from Bobby. When it is a personal comment about someone, it is not a joke.
- Talking out of turn: Students will often shout out during class time without permission. I am not unreasonable. If their comment is relevant to what we are discussing, right on! However, the comments that tend to be shouted out for the whole class to hear are either
- a) about someone else in the class or
- b) an off topic phrase to get laughter and attention.
- Laughing at inappropriate times: I have a nervous laugh, I get it. During my high school speech class my teacher gave me a zero for laughing during a speech. Bummer. She didn't care that it was a nervous tendency. Guess what? I monitor appropriate times to laugh now!
- Whispering to others: What do you think when two of your friends are whispering around you? Yeah, that is what the kids think too. Whispering causes hurt feelings and drama.
- Making comments under breath: students have been heard saying hurtful things to other students as they walk past their desk or pass each other in the hallway.
- Inappropriate physical contact: We have noticed kids pushing each other” jokingly”, rubbing hands on heads, messing with other students’ lockers, etc.
- Arguing with the teacher: Can you imagine doing that to your teacher? (That would have ended poorly for me at school and at home.)
- Disrespect in any way
I have received multiple emails
and calls regarding students’ hurt feelings, low self-esteem, and anxiety. I
believe there is a direct correlation between the behaviors we are seeing from
the students and the way the students are feeling. We want all students to be
comfortable, happy and successful at Cherokee.
What parents can do to help:
- Talk about these behaviors with your child to help support good character and a happier climate at school. Feel free to read them the above list!
- Support the teachers and their decisions. We all want what is best for each child. We also want what is best for the good of the whole group. We look at the individuals and we look at the big picture. There are around 28 students per class. Every behavior, positive or negative, makes a difference.
- Encourage your child to take ownership for their behavior. It isn’t productive to blame other people or make excuses. Own up, learn from mistakes, move on, fix it.
- Read some of the links listed below.
Further related reading:
“Joking” Around
Emotional Intelligence
Working together,
Alison
Roffers
Guidance Counselor
aroffers@spsmail.org
