[Duechristmasday]

Just interested.

My son in Prep was asked to write down 2 names of kids he would like to be in class with next year and also had to write 2 names of kids that he did not want to be in class with next year.

He told me who he wrote for the 2 he wanted and said that he cant remember who he wrote for the ones he didn't. I asked him why and he said that he didn't dislike anyone, and he then said "but I had to put down two names".

What are others opinions about this? I feel it is a little inappropriate.

[bakesgirls]

I agree with you. It seems unfair to me to ask kids to pick their 2 favorite people and their 2 least favourite. I feel sorry for the kids that had no one put down their name at all. I think kids should be encouraged to try to find a way to get along, and accept everyone, not point out who they like least.

ETA- I know it doesn't always work out like that. I know some kids just don't get along for whatever reason. I still don't like the idea of naming people you don't want to be in class with. I think if there is an issue between kids, the teachers most likely know about it, or parents can make a request if being in a certain class with another child will be to their childs detriment.

There's also the fact that sometimes children are not very discreet. Its one thing for an adult to say they don't wish to work with someone. Chances are they won't go around letting everyone know. That would hardly be professional. Kids on the other hand, well, I can see some of them telling who they want and who they don't want. Discussing it with their friends. Choosing whatever friend is the flavour of the week. Being mean about it. Saying 'I don't want you in my class and I'm going to tell everyone to say they don't want you either' or words to that effect. How hurtful to that child.

This post has been edited by bakesgirls: 17/11/2012, 12:54 PM

[fancie]

There is no guarantee that whoever he has listed in the want or don't want will actually eventuate.

I think it is quite an interesting strategy though.

Some children work well with some other children and some children don't work well together personality wise.

[Lyra]

Teachers have a fairly good idea of who should go with whom the following year and an exercise such as this is good for confirming that your hunch is on the mark. Or wrong LOL

However, when I do things like this I would state: you don't have to write down a name if you don't want to

edited to clarify: each year it would be preferable that each child has at least one friend in the class they are going into. For PP other students don't get to see who chose whom IYKWIM And, if a student doesn't have anybody choose them that is actually good for the teacher as it means that you might need to work a bit with that child on his/her social skills and keep an eye on them in the yard to see how they are interacting

This post has been edited by Lyra: 17/11/2012, 12:45 PM

[howdo]

Why is it inappropriate? I think asking kids how they feel is respectful and desirable.

[jenbi]

My DS school always does this - but it is worded as who do feel you work best with rather than who do you like. It is quite surprising who they come up with - and its not always the best friends either!

I would imagine the Teachers wouldn't base the decision solely on the childs request so I don't really have a problem with it.

I do agree thought that having to name 2 kids you don't want to work with is not really necessary.

[*Lib*]

What a logistical nightmare!

[howdo]

I do agree thought that having to name 2 kids you don't want to work with is not really necessary.

Why? Why do we have a fear of kids telling us who they don't like? Why do we want to shut that voice down?

Sure, it might not be possible to accommodate, but giving kids a voice about it isn't wrong.

[Lyra]

Why? Why do we have a fear of kids telling us who they don't like? Why do we want to shut that voice down?

Sure, it might not be possible to accommodate, but giving kids a voice about it isn't wrong.

I agree with this! I have worked with many adults that I would rather not work with and have requested that I don't work with a staff member again due to differences. Why should children also not have the same respect?

[Propaganda]

I think it's quite horrible to be honest. Forcing children to consider which students they dislike the most in their class can hardly be a positive thing.

There would be children who would benefit from not having certain children in their class due to ongoing issues, but I imagine most of time the teachers would know who these children are, or at least the parents could go in and request that their child not be put in the same class.

I just don't think fingerpointing who you don't really like when you don't actually have strong feelings that way against anyone, is encouraging the wrong kind of thinking.