Student- Teacher relationships will improve :: essays papers

Student- Teacher relationships will improve From the very first day of school on, student- teacher relationships will be improved in smaller classes. Patricia Handley has been an elementary school teacher for twenty-eight years. She has had the opportunity to teach in both small and large classes. On the first day of teaching her first small class Handley comments, â€Å"I immediately noted their sense of importance; no one seemed lost in the crowd† (2002). In a small class, as the students enter, the teacher can take the time to greet each one. The teacher will learn the names of the children faster. The quicker the student is called by his or her name and the more individual attention they get from the teacher, the more comfortable they are going to feel expressing themselves to the teacher in a learning environment. â€Å" In a class of fifteen students, we can quickly learn about one another and do so in more depth† (Handley, 2002). Each child is an individual. Once a teacher has the chance to get to know the students, they can work to accommodate the strengths and weaknesses in the learning process. Students will have a more worthwhile learning experience Many schools throughout the nation have tried smaller classes. Members of a teaching team in Narcoossee Community School in St. Cloud, Florida have commented that when students come back from summer vacation, they are enthusiastic to see everybody and begin the learning process, more so than before the program started (McGoogan, 2001). Group discussions can be a major part of a school day. In small classes, everybody can have a chance to participate. When students are able to speak to a class in their elementary years, they will gain confidence. If they get used to contributing to class discussions, more than likely, they will hold onto that and use it as they progress through high school and college. When students are in a smaller setting, they will get to know one another better, as well as the teacher. When students are comfortable with the people around them, they will not feel shy or intimidated to raise their hands to answer a question. As students share their ideas and feelings with their peers, they will enhance their learning. They will be able to learn from what others say and they will become more interested on the topic of the discussion if they are involved in some way.