Teacher's commet

[DorothyL]

Dd is in year 10 at a highly selective school. She has always been told she should contribute more in lessons but has always found it hard, being rather shy. Being surrounded by lots of clever and confident peers hasn't always helped. Today she put her hand up in English to ask to go to a music lesson, to which the teacher said "well yes it would be surprising if Dorothydaughter actually made a contribution". Dd felt mortified and was a bit teary about it tonight. Apparently this teacher is often rather sar astic, but am I wrong to
find this a bit counterproductive?

SheGotAllDaMoves just pmed you grovely writers pm!!!!!

Wow Dorothy if the teacher knew of all these comments.......

Did you decide what to do?

I will mention it at parents' evening and then report back!

Parents' evening tonight and now I feel nervous - poor dd, she gets it from me! How do I phrase it??

.

I would say: DD was mortified when you commented that she doesn't contribute to discussions. We know this is a problem because it happens in other classes too. She is very shy of the louder, more confident girls but she really wants to make a contribution. We're keen to work on this with her at home. Do you have some strategies that could help?
my guess is he will try to help. If he doesn't, follow up by saying that sarcasm is counterproductive with anxious students.
For what it's worth, it was made clear in my teaching observations that it's my job to draw out the shy students rather than their problem! It's not considered great to ask questions and let the noisy ones talk. One obvious reason is that it's not always shyness and they may actually be struggling to understand but reluctant to admit it. I find getting students to discuss something in small groups and then insisting everyone says something helps quite a lot. students can simply say if they agree with a previous speaker as long as they tell me why!

Ok thank you for the advice

I hope the Parents Evening went well.

As a teacher I found Susan Cain's TED talk on the Power of Introverts very thought provoking and it has caused me to change my approach in the classroom.

This is the TED blurb about the video: In a culture where being social and outgoing are prized above all else, it can be difficult, even shameful, to be an introvert. But, as Susan Cain argues in this passionate talk, introverts bring extraordinary talents and abilities to the world, and should be encouraged and celebrated.

I think the video should be compulsory viewing for all teachers. Here is a link. Amazing stuff.

That sounds very interesting, will definitely watch!

That is an excellent talk! I should stress I also have time in classes for individual work and it's a very valid point that extroverts need this (those are the very ones I hear whispering 'this is boring' who then wonder why they can't do an exam or who didn't hear the instructions...)
DS2 told his teacher that he dislikes group work and prefers to work on his own, and I know he isn't alone in that.
I think maybe OP's dd is shy rather than introverted - but that would be a reason also for letting the teacher know that a particularly extrovert class is intimidating for her and that her written work is the way she contributes in this situation.
I hope it goes well, OP!

Gah teacher was absent! Have now emailed!

Well he has apologises for his misjudgement and offered to make amends, can't ask for fairer than that!

Good outcome. I have a dd who struggles with speaking in class....she sets herself targets of contributing at least once in every class, fortunately she has so far encountered teachers who wish to encourage her gently.