Another teacher and I were discussing why some students don't seem to do well in class. One conclusion we reached is that some students don't know what it means to be a student. In other words, they need to master Student 101 first.
In one class, I had students discuss each of the following criteria of a student and then explain them in a brief piece. The piece that follows is by a student who went above what was required. I think she had a little help from home, but for this piece, that is perfect.
Have you ever wondered what it is to be a student? If so, I’m here to tell you all about what it
is to be a student. The definition of a
student according to Webster is, “a person who studies, at a school or college”
I’m going to give you my definition of
what it is to be a student with the objectives in Student 101.
You
are in class to learn:
That
is the first objective in Student 101. That means you come to class to be
taught. You don’t come to be a class
clown, or a jokester, etc. You come to class to learn and get good grades, and
a good education to be successful in life.
Before you can be successful in life you have to be successful as a
student. That means you have to obtain
knowledge, you do this by listening and following directions that are given to
you at all times.
Your grades are your paycheck:
A
paycheck is a check made out to an employee for wages or salary. Being a student is your job; your grades are
your paycheck, that’s the second objective of Student 101. That means after putting all that hard effort
into your work, the outcome is you are rewarded with good grades. It’s just like a job. You go to work to do a job and after all your
hard work and effort to complete your job you are rewarded with a paycheck. The only difference between the two is having
a job, you are paid with money, being a student you are paid with grades. Having good grades will one day turn into
hopefully you having a good job that will give you a good paycheck.
You should not distract those who are
here to learn:
Distractions
draws others thoughts or attention somewhere other than where it should
be. Therefore, you should not distract
your fellow-students; this is the third objective of Student 101. That means you mind your own business and be
concerned about what you need to do for yourself. You don’t talk, make noises, or disturb your
classmates by being disruptive or causing other problems in the classroom or
other places in school.
You should come to class prepared:
The fourth objective of Student 101 is being
prepared for class. That means you come
to class with all the supplies you will need to do your assignments. You need to have books, paper, pens, pencils
and anything else necessary for what class you’re in. If you are in chorus or band, you would need
to have your music or instrument in addition to the other things. Being prepared also means doing homework and
projects that may be assigned by your teacher.
You may not know this, but getting enough sleep at night is also
an important part of being prepared. If
your school has a dress-code, following that dress-code is also a way of being
prepared.
Fun is
optional:
Being
a student can be fun, but fun is optional, that’s objective five of Student
101. Activities that allow you to enjoy
yourself can be a part of learning. Many teachers try to make learning fun
especially in elementary school. But the
primary purpose of being a student is to be taught and to learn what is being
taught. You have to do what is necessary
first before you can expect to have freedom to do extra or fun stuff. You have to prove you are responsible in
order to have freedom that means you have to do what you’re suppose to do.
It is your job to control your
behavior:
Objective
six of Student 101 is controlling your behavior. You must act in the proper way and do the
right thing at all times as a student.
This is the best way to be sure you will get the best education as a
student. It is your responsibility to do
the right thing; no one else can make that decision for you. When you don’t do the right thing and act
properly as a student there are consequences.
These consequences will more than likely prevent you from learning your
lessons in class. If you misbehave you
could be put out of class for a time-out which would last for maybe 15 minutes
or you could go to SAC or ISS for the day.
If you really do something that is inappropriate you could be suspended from
school for 1 to 5 days. As a student
you don’t want to become a behavior problem.
Each time you misbehave it could be recorded in your cumulative folder. This folder is something that will follow you
for the rest of your life and it could affect you getting that good job you
want with that good paycheck. So it is
better to be a good student so the bad things you do won’t follow you later.
If
you follow these guidelines as explained in the objectives of Student 101, I’m
sure you will be the best student you could possibly be. You will have everything you need to be
successful as a student as well as be successful in life.
