1. What are the most common instances of dishonest behaviour shown by students in class? (Pick 3 such instances and try to analyse the reasons behind such behaviour)
One day I gave a class test on English in Grade IV.
I observed one student looking here and there while taking the test. I had doubts, I checked his desk, and to my surprise, he had opened a fair notebook inside the desk. I counselled that child about honesty. The reason can be performance anxiety and fear of failure. As educators, we should counsel the parents not to compare their kids with other students. The best way is to compare the child with his/her own previous performance.
Second, I was teaching in Grade V, and one of my students came to me and was very sad. I asked her why she blamed her co-partner for taking her pencil without permission. I asked her co-partner about this. She denied it, and both students started arguing. I told them to honestly let us know about pencils, but all in vain. I had no option; I divided the pencil into two pieces and gave them to both students. The reason can be peer pressure; students want everything their classmates have.
Finally, after the Pandemic, when offline exams were taken, few students allowed other students to see their answer sheets. That is also dishonesty, and the reason could be performance anxiety.
2. How far is it true that you must show respect to earn respect in a classroom? Give an instance where you saw this play out?
It is observed that when one student respects another student, that particular student definitely helps that person when he/ she is in need. As educators, when we respect the student’s needs, feelings and emotions, they automatically connect to us. When we earn respect, then students share their every problem with us.
Jaspreet Kaur
Kamla Nehru Public School, JOL Cohort 2022