Reflective Writing: Analyzing Student Behavior & Classroom Incident

This reflective writing assignment details a classroom incident where a student displayed aggressive behavior during a debate about the value of reading versus watching television. The author, a teacher, describes the initial shock and frustration, followed by research into the underlying causes of the student's behavior, including potential deficits in social skills and emotional regulation. The reflection highlights a shift in perspective, acknowledging the need for a more nuanced approach to managing such situations. The author realizes the importance of remaining calm, employing long-term strategies, and addressing inappropriate language without confrontation. The assignment emphasizes the importance of understanding student behavior and adapting teaching methods to foster a more supportive and effective learning environment. This piece is a valuable resource for educators seeking to improve their classroom management and understand student behavior.

REFLECTIVE
WRITING

This is to outline an incident took place in the classroom and at the time of one of my
English literature class where I assigned a controversial topic to the students and asked them to
present a debate on it. The students were divided in two main groups and were asked to argue
either in support or against of it. Though the topic was a part of their learning and they were
asked to argue whether “Individuals should rather read books than watching television”.
Throughout the debate, suddenly a child against this topic became very aggressive and started
using insulting language for those who were in favor of it.
This incident became critical, when one of the students supporting this topic started
getting desperate after not being able to disregard the one using insulting language to address
her.
I was shocked to see such violent response of a student with no clear reason and that’s too
while taking part in a classroom session. This disappointed me very much and I was not able to
stop that student by raising my voice high and was stunned to see such audacity in him. Lastly, I
anyhow managed to stop him and also perceived a sense of disgust in him for this act of mine.
I then started researching upon such type of abrupt behavior by youths and tried to find
out the reasons behind it. This changed my negative feelings for that destructive fellow who
acted in such destructive manner, in my class. Here, I got some relatable facts about people
behaving in such disapproving way and started observing that student as well.
From which, I learned that this guy was also having deficit social skills and was not able
to control his temper. Also, it was found to be a tactic of covering up his shortfalls in such group
circumstances.
This practice duly changed my belief about such type of behavior by students and where
my carried research also taught me ways of handling them in much efficient manner. I hereby
determined that my way of stopping him was also inappropriate and I am rather required to stay
calm and composed to tackle them with the help of a long term approach. However, I am also
required to change any such use of foul language by them but in a non-confrontational manner.
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