The B Word
Former students would probably attest to the fact that few things tried my patience as much as did the statement, "This is boring!" As I reflect back on my many years in the classroom, I can't help but feel a tad bit sorry for the first kid who made the mistake of uttering those words each year. (It was rare to hear the phrase a second time because most kids vividly recalled my "sermon," and they didn't want to risk a repeat performance.)
The sermon went something like this. "Nobody is BORED in my classroom. I work hard to plan fun and interesting activities that will allow you to learn. When you finish your work earlier than others, there are many choices of quiet things to do. You may use the book nook, puppet theatre, computer, writing center, art center, or the manipulative math corner. Now please, do NOT let me hear the word "bored" again!"
I suspect that each school year's first offender felt like Calvin in one of my favorite Calvin and Hobbes cartoons. In the first two frames Calvin is sitting at his school desk looking totally bored, but saying nothing. In the third frame Calvin screams, "BORRRING!" In the final frame Calvin is heading for the Principal's office muttering, "Yeah, yeah?kill the messenger."
Although not many kids made the mistake of verbally uttering the "B" word a second time, I suspect they thought it (or mouthed it to their friends) more than once. Why do all teachers - and many parents - hear this complaint on a somewhat regular basis? Is it because most kids find the day-to-day classroom work too easy? Not hardly.
Contrary to popular opinion, the "bored" child is not always the academically gifted child who is not being challenged. As a matter of fact, that is rarely the case. More often than not, the "bored" student is one who is frustrated because he is not really understanding the material being presented, or does not yet possess the skill that he is being asked to demonstrate. (None of us like to admit that we aren't up to doing a task that we're expected to accomplish, or that we haven't the foggiest notion about what is being explained to us. And for most of us, it's easier to say, "I'm bored" than it is to say, "I'm struggling.")
When a student of any age - that includes the high school kid - says he is bored, he oftentimes means something quite different. He is really saying, "This isn't fun. This is work and I don't want to work. I want to be entertained! Furthermore, I don't understand what she (the teacher) is talking about or what I am supposed to do. " In the mind of the student (albeit subconsciously), his cry of boredom shifts the blame and the responsibility from himself to the teacher.
If the child is unlucky, the "boredom syndrome" will give the parent a hook on which to hang criticism of the teacher, and no one will win. The parent blames the teacher, the teacher reacts defensively, and the child continues to flounder. An opportunity for helping a kid gets lost somewhere between the pointing fingers of the parent and the defense mechanisms of the teacher.
And what do I suggest you do if your child says, "School is boring"? Run (forget walk) to the telephone and request a conference with your child's teacher. Advise the teacher of your concern. Assure "him" that you are not requesting a conference to assign blame to anyone, but rather to get his opinion as to what is really going on in the classroom that might prompt a declaration of boredom. I can assure you that your child's teacher will appreciate your concern and do everything possible to work with you to determine the cause, and work toward a solution.
"Boredom, after all, is a form of criticism."
-William Phillips
*This article is an excerpt from Chapter 8 in my book, From the Teacher's Desk. http://www.booklocker.com/books/
About The Author
Jacquie McTaggart is a recently retired 42-year career teacher and author of, "From the Teacher's Desk." She currently travels throughout the country speaking at teacher and parent conventions. You can find more of her teaching and parenting tips at http://www.theteachersdesk.com.
Latest News
is there any correlation between bad parenting... AllHipHop - is it essential for a parent to teach you a thing or two about men or women when it comes to crafting your relationship{mackin} skills and is it possible ... YOU'RE/THAT'S SO GHETTO |
The Intersect Between Reporting and Parenting Tecumseh Herald, MI - Sometimes, though, circumstances make it so that all I can do is be the parent. Take last night's band concert in Britton. Just take yesterday in general, ... |
Chief Parenting Extends C-Level Parental Suite to Include Chief ... PR Web (press release), WA - Empowering men and women to become exemplary parents, recognizing those that do and honoring them with their earned executive level parenting titles, ... |
Spencer Bachus Approves of Nanny State, Opposes Parenting Casino Gambling Web, FL - Long time supporter of legalization and regulation of all forms of online gambling, Gordon Price, said, "Instead of teaching parents how to filter the ... |
![]() Examiner.com | Parenting Tip of the Day: Lay off the sarcasm Examiner.com - by Terreece Clarke, Parenting Examiner I'm a sarcastic human being. I'm like Ralphie's dad from A Christmas Story, he dabbled in obsenities, ... |
![]() TheTimes | Make holidays brighter for children of incarcerated parents, she says TheTimes, OR - By Kristen Forbes A Parenting Inside Out class graduate poses with her son. She and her two children will be gift recipients at the Center for Family ... |
Free parenting workshop today at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church ... Alexandria Town Talk, LA - A free parenting workshop will be held today, Dec. 4, at 6 pm at Second Bethlehem Baptist Church located at 1910 Harris Street Alexandria. ... |
![]() The Plain Dealer - cleveland.com | The Family Tree Baltimore Sun, United States - Volunteers older than 21 are needed as parent educators in North and South Counties to co-teach a Positive Parenting Course in 12-week intervals. ... Statistics about children in crisis |
Media Mogul Tommy Mottola Finds New Star in EEBEE MarketWatch - We're confident that co-parenting this business with Tommy Mottola will bring us to the next level of success." "We are delighted to partner with EVERY BABY ... |
Or Ami addresses parenting issues Agoura Hills Acorn, CA - Congregation Or Ami's Center for Jewish Parenting is currently offering a series of lectures that cover a wide range of parenting issues. ... |
Resources
-
Parents - The Greatest Parenting Secret in 50 Years!
Raising Kids With Life Skills makes both Parenting and growing up easier to do.
-
Parenting TOOLS to design the family of your dreams! What does your dream family look like?
Powerful tools for Parenting, anger management, and creative blocks!
-
Toddler Activities - Preschooler Activities - Children's Activities - Family Fun
Toddler activities to entertain and educate your toddler. 52 toddler activities and more! FREE newsletter with toddler activities, toddler play ideas and toddler crafts, relevant websites, Parenting quotes and more!
-
Many of our Ebooks are 100% FREE!
Download ebooks on website marketing, Parenting, ebook publishing and more.
-
Child behavior management without anger with this upbeat and effective Parenting tool.
An upbeat, fun Parenting tool for parents wishing to manage their behavior challenged kids.
-
More Fun Less Work Parenting Method - Increase Your Child's Emotional Intelligence
Fun Parenting method - teach your child emotional intelligence using curiosity and simple rules. Increase kid
-
Many of our Ebooks are 100% FREE!
Download ebooks on website marketing, Parenting, ebook publishing and more.
-
teach your baby how to read,early reading,Parenting advice,reading baby,toddler learning activity
You can teach your baby how to read. Reading early is possible.Your growing child learns through a cumulative process and targeted toddler learning activities. Crucial Parenting advice is key to unlocking your child
-
Practical Parenting Advice - children's behavior problems, child
behaviour problems, FREE parentin
Free Practical Parenting Advice - children
-
Divorce Parenting
Divorce resource for parents. Online seminar. Great tools for learning to help your family navigate the breakup process. Kids, Children, Parents, Family divorce tips and solutions. Powerful Strategies


