Classification and Division:
Psychology of the Classroom Stars
By: Sean
Savoie
Following up on my promise to write a classification and division essay in this newspaper issue about the various types of students in an American classroom, let me first repeat that the form and function of any essay may be different, by which I mean seemingly mismatched. As I have expressed before, consideration of form and function is possibly the most important consideration in any art form. Form is the style or technique used to convey the expression to the audience. Function is the intended purpose for expressing an idea. Such considerations are best made before writing the first draft of an essay, although a first draft may function as a means to help the writer better understand what possibilities may exist before creating a second draft. So, here is one example of a classification and division essay.
Form: Classification and division, definition, and narration
Function: To inform and, hopefully, entertain (or at least tease)
Thesis: What an effective teacher must understand about various types of
students to efficiently teach to a group.
“Psychology of the Classroom Stars” by:
Sean Savoie
It is no wonder that the vast majority of teachers are either bald, have
increasingly grey hair, or have lost all sense of humor. There are still,
however, the teachers who have found a secret method, for they seem not only
happy but also healthy and balanced in their lifestyle. Teachers are a unique
and honorable breed, having somehow, in a masochistic way, decided to make it
their mission to educate, sometimes against all odds, the many various types of
students with whom they have an often complex relationship. The task of teaching
is daunting, and yet many successful teachers in
One lesson, however, can be learned through experience at the youngest age- the fundamental psychology of the types of students found in any typical class. A basic understanding of psychology expedites the learning process and aids any instructor in the often impossible task of effectively managing a classroom. An instructor’s identifying the various types of personalities of students not only benefits the individuals he or she teaches, but also allows the instructor to more quickly gain the dominance necessary to control a classroom in an active educational environment. The major characters in a class situation are known to even the youngest of students.
The Leader: This is the student who has the natural charisma that influences almost the entire class, and there is often one such female and male within a co-ed class. The leader may be a willing or unwilling leader, yet his or her position is unavoidable, and in a crisis situation everybody will turn to this individual for guidance. Fortunately, the leader is usually easy to identify because many students look at him or her to see what attitude they should have about the class. Keep in mind that the vast majority of students are like sheep who follow the leader. For this reason, the leader is the most crucial student in the environment. If a teacher loses the interest or respect of the leader, the class will be more difficult. Often the leader does not even know that he or she is the leader, which leads to the obligatory “You have a big responsibility” speech after class.
The Class Clown: Nearly every class has at least one of these jokers. This student is more often male than female. Requiring constant attention, this student, whether actually humorous or not, is tirelessly in the pursuit of an uncontrollable laugh in the classroom and will often be sent to the principal’s office frequently. The primary reason the class clown must be dealt with carefully is that all of the students are watching to understand how the teacher handles the conflict and distraction created by such a student. A teacher, therefore, has an opportunity to either gain or lose the respect of the students, depending on how the problems are dealt with. Although a class clown can be used to the advantage of a class by occasionally making the learning process more entertaining, this clown must never be allowed to compete with the teacher for the attention of the class.
The Cool Loser: This is the student who thinks it is funny, and even cool, to fail a test or forget to do homework. Unfortunately, this loser often has followers, sometimes gang members, who thrive on a collective mentality and prey on the weak. Also unfortunate is the fact that ignoring such a student creates increasing problems, which may eventually spiral out of control. The cool loser is a limit-tester who rejoices when a teacher loses his or her temper and becomes furious. Although difficult, the best way to handle such a student is to use wit and sarcasm without losing control. Using ambiguous statements indicating to the whole class that it is not cool to be ignorant may help to win over the friends of the cool loser. As this occurs, the power of the cool loser becomes lessened and the teacher becomes a hero to the class. Keep in mind that this is not easy.
The Teacher’s Pet: This student is universal and also easily recognized. More often a straight “A” female student, this eager pleaser usually sits in the front of the classroom and has unusually attentive and bright eyes. Dealing with the teacher’s pet, though important, is not as class-threatening as the above mentioned characters. However, the way in which such a student is dealt with significantly alters the attitude of many students, particularly the jealous females in the class. If the teacher is a man, he must take extra precaution in handling this student and should avoid being alone in the classroom with her. A teacher’s pet can be beneficial in the class to the extent that she (or he) sets a clear example of how to be an effective learner. Be careful not to play favorites, though; a teacher must be impartial when dealing with all students. It is best to build upon the strengths of each individual.
Managing classroom dynamics is an extremely intricate and fascinating activity. Understanding how to deal with the key players, as in any political situation, is one of the keys to success. In the school of hard knocks, a teacher must learn by trial and error, yet some rules remain constant. First among these is that a teacher is expected to be more mature than any of the students, which usually translates as “more reasonable”. If a teacher is able to balance speaking with listening, dominating with allowing freedom, and seriousness with humor, he or she is well on the way to winning over the key students in the class. This skill, combined with a true understanding of the course material and a solid methodical approach to teaching makes the teacher the clear king or queen of the classroom and a teacher that students will never forget.