Teacher not allowing kids to speak in class

Equanimity

Hi there

We've just moved county and the kids started in a new school. My son is in 6th class and has a male teacher who he seems to like. What's upsetting him is that the teacher doesn't allow them to speak. I understand during school work, but they are not allowed to speak during art and even during eating lunch! My son got into trouble for speaking when he tried to help another kid with a maths problem. The only time they can speak is when out in the yard. It was raining yesterday so they were indoors and silent during lunch. My son said it's like being in a constant exam situation where you work in silence.

I know this is sensitive to us as my son is trying to fit into a new group - they run out and play football so there's never a chance to talk and get to know them - but is this unusual teacher behaviour? I would have thought developing social skills and communication are critical in life! My daughter is in first class and is allowed to talk so it's just the teacher and not the school. I just wanted to sense check if I am being over sensitive about it! Has anyone else experienced anything like this before? Any advice is appreciated. Thanks!

Blind As A Bat

It sounds highly unusual (I'm a teacher btw). It's normal for teachers to forbid talking during lesson times even in junior classes when others might still be working and trying to concentrate, but silence during art or lunch is very peculiar. The only thing I can think of is that it might be a newly qualified or inexperienced teacher (maybe never taught sixth class before, first time with seniors) and he is nervous about losing control of the class if he gives them too much freedom. Some teachers are very strict in the first week or two until they feel they have control and then they relax the discipline a bit. Was the class supervised by the teacher when it was raining? Or did he tell them to be silent before leaving the classroom?

I'd say give it a week or two and in the meantime try to feel out some of the other parents when you're at the school dropping off/collecting the kids. You can just say 'Mr So-and-So seems very nice but is he a bit strict?' I'm not suggesting you start a mutiny :) but at least you'll know if he's new in the school or he always teaches this way. Then take it from there.

Fishdoodle

It’s still early in term. The main thing is that your son likes his teacher which is a great sign. Sixth class is the transition to secondary school- different ball game altogether compared to 1st.

I wouldn’t leave things to see how they settle or rely solely on other parents to gauge the situation. Get to know the teacher. Now is the best time to arrange a meeting with him, esp since your son is new in the school. Don’t leave it till halloween! Ask him how your son is getting on/settling in. Express the ‘silence issue’ and socialising. Arrange a follow-up for a months time.

Many art activities work really well in silence/peaceful environment -tapping into the intuitive/creative side of of the brain without disturbance -more conducive to inspiration and the finished product can turn out more beautiful than when done in a noisy/chaotic environment.

http://www.iamanartist.ie/videos/

Other activities in art work well with conversation.

Lunch, eating time can be quite limited in most schools. In a noisy classroom kids talking can wolf down food or not finish it. A quiet lunch can give the teacher a valuable chance to talk to individual students (eg to explain stg. one-to-one that wasn’t understood in a lesson for ex / address a situation). A teacher on yard duty may have to eat their lunch in class and the rest-period is important to replenish energy). By engaging with the teacher you’ll discover the rational behind how the class is managed -and whether it’s fair or not.

It’d be unusual to have to have total silence except in the yard. There’s a fine line between total silence and a quiet env.

Definitely have a chat with the teacher & get the lowdown and a fuller perspective -it’ll save you another fortnights wondering. 🤔🙂

big_drive

It sounds unusual, especially during eating lunch time. But there could be a reason for it. Is there any child in the class with special needs, who may have issues around loud noise. Sometimes there could be something sensitive like that going on that might not be fully clear to the other pupils in the class

byhookorbycrook

If it's when they are eating lunch, there is a bit of logic, in that the DES don't actually allow any "eating" time. As Fishdoodle said, if lunch break is 30 minutes in total, that means eating, getting in and out to yard and playtime all come from that 30 minutes. It's stupid, but that's the DES for you. Some schools get around this by using the "eating time" for correcting individual homework, reading aloud from a book etc.

Coneygree

Teacher sounds a bit crazy tbh and I'd really question the logic. I teach 6th class as well and if anything I'd be encouraging them to talk away mad during relaxed subjects like art and especially during lunch time. One, they need the chance to talk as social interaction is such a key part of school and especially at that age. Two, if they get their chats out of the way it means lesson time is more productive and less filled with the kids wanting to have off task talk. And three, is it not the natural thing to do? Bars, restaurants, cafes and canteens all over the country and world are full of the buzz of conversation while people eat and drink. If a child is happy out eating in silence then fair enough but the harm it does to the classroom environment by forbidding talking would be awful. We're not in the stone age anymore.

tayto lover

Its ridiculous in my opinion. Children are naturally curious and need to ask questions and communicate with each other.