At an elementary school in New York, Ms. Robert’s Kindergarten class is regarded as the best class in the grade. As an observer, one can see the students sitting silently at desks of four waiting for their next instruction. If someone speaks out of turn, they are immediately shushed so as to not disturb the other children working. During playtime, students are sent to their stations to quietly interact with toys and peers. If there is any disruption, the student is asked to go back to their table and put their head down until further notice. The other teachers in the school often comment on how Ms. Robert’s class is the “best controlled kindergarten in the school,” or praise is given to Ms. Robert on her masterful “control over her class.” On Friday afternoon as many classrooms are finishing the week with free play, Ms. Robert has her students sit silently at their desks coloring or writing in workbooks. As a Specials teacher who teaches in Ms. Robert’s classroom, every time the students get a little too loud, Ms. Robert is ready to quiet the misbehavers and send them back to their desk to put their head down. Sebastian, a bright 5 year old, is often the child selected to return to his seat. He is already removed from the tables of four and must sit by himself in order to learn how to “behave.” Compared to other students, Sebastian is singled out each time he makes a mistake because he has yet to conform to the ideals of the classroom, which do not allow children to speak without raising their hand or play loudly. He is also removed from music class on a regular basis by Ms. Robert who believes he does not deserve the privilege of music class.
Control can be defined as “(1) to exercise restraint over, to dominate; and (2) to eliminate or prevent the flourishing of,” (Dictionary.com). In a classroom such as this where a teacher has complete control over the students’every move, it is generally seen as a praise-worthy attribute. Having complete control generally describes a teacher who is focused and will be successful in teaching their students something over the course of the year. Many educators strive to gain complete control in order to manage their class. This concept of control must be re-evaluated and re-conceptualized based on the atmosphere that is being created inside schools.
Control can be defined as “(1) to exercise restraint over, to dominate; and (2) to eliminate or prevent the flourishing of,” (Dictionary.com). In a classroom such as this where a teacher has complete control over the students’every move, it is generally seen as a praise-worthy attribute. Having complete control generally describes a teacher who is focused and will be successful in teaching their students something over the course of the year. Many educators strive to gain complete control in order to manage their class. This concept of control must be re-evaluated and re-conceptualized based on the atmosphere that is being created inside schools.