Fires, Chapter 3

I loved this chapter on classroom behavior. Students need the structure of the classroom, with teachers who listen and respect their opinions while not trying too hard to be their "friend". I really liked the idea of always putting the class agenda on the board, that seemed like a pretty unanimous thing that the students in this book wanted their teachers to do, and I intend to do this in my classroom. I also thought it was interesting what one student wrote about how most teachers are far too concerned with the ENTIRE classroom being dead silent, and that this is just annoying to the students who want to learn. In my experience in the schools, I found that this was true, and that if you just power on through the students will be quiet for you if you give that air of authority. I also agreed that notes should not be read aloud, because they could be harmful to the students, and that it's really the quiet kids you need to worry about, not normally the loud ones.