Contradictions of an Elementary Classroom

Question 1

Students are often packed together, YET are not allowed to interact with one another.

Answer 1

First Contradiction

Question 2

The social/emotional, and interpersonal activity that maintains people’s ability to work together
In colloquial terms, represents the “grease” tat keeps the wheels (of the group) running smooth
Includes: chit-chat, gossip, eating, drinking, haggling over what each person will do, moving furniture, adjusting the thermostat

Answer 2

Maintenance Activity

Question 3

The actual work gets done
At some point, with proper guidance (and some) cajoling, students and adults will buckle down and work on the task at hand
Students and adults more often move seamlessly from Maintenance to this type of activity and back to maintenance throughout the time they are together

Answer 3

Task Activity

Question 4

A teacher often expects students to work together in small groups, YET the students may not know each other very well
Even though students see their classmates nearly every day, it’s possible students do not really know the students with whom they are working
Think about what you would do early on in the school year to help your students get to know each other better

Answer 4

Second Contradiction

Question 5

Teachers expect students to share, cooperate, and be friendly YET, sometimes the atmosphere is one of competition, winning, independence, and “keep your eyes on your own paper”, among others
Publicly available information regarding a student’s ability (as in grades on bulletin board) may not provide the find of feedback that (struggling) students need

Answer 5

Third Contradiction

Question 6

Students are encourage to embrace their culture, but discouraged from speaking their native language
Students are encouraged to be independent and self-sufficient, but some teachers have strict rules that make independence more difficult
Encourage students to think outside of the box, yet teachers don’t always acknowledge the new method
We expect students to read/spell on their on but they rely on technology
Students are put into groups but end up working independently and the work isn’t evenly distributed

Answer 6

Other Contradictions