Should teachers shout at kids?

[Mich0027]

Genuinely interested in everyone's opinion as to whether it's acceptable for teachers to shout, angrily, at secondary age children. Actually, specifically year 7 - but am interested in general opinions ...

[MaisyPops]

Raised voice or shouting is the difference to me.

I worked with someone who when they'd shout it was clear they'd lost their temper and they'd be seething after it for a while. I often thought that was out of order.

Equally most staff I know (me included) have a strong raised voice which can be used appropriately. It always seems to amaze students when you go from 'raised, firm and serious' to 'happy, calm and positive' in less than 10 seconds.

In the context OP I would say how I would speak would depend on the attitude the student gave (e.g. If they were flat out refusing to do something in my lesson then I'd probably send them out to be collected by a member of senior leadership / work with head of department and my tone would be firm but not raised. It would be very much a case of 'this is not a discussion I am having with you right now'.
If they were flat refusing to do something and being rude and disruptive with heaps of attitude then I'd be using a raised firm voice.)

Often in this situations there's more to it than meets the eye.

[ASauvignonADay]

Sometimes you have to shout to be heard.

[AlliKaneErikson]

After witnessing a pupil throw a chair at the window I’m pretty sure I was justified to shout in that situation. Of course it’s not good to shout all the time but there are situations where it is unserstandable. I think many people would be horrified if they saw what teachers have to put up with day to day (it certainly wouldn’t be tolerated in many professions).

[Hisaishi]

Raising your voice to get attention, fine. Shouting as punishment - don't know what the point is, it doesn't work. The other day a teacher in my school yelled at a kid for 20 minutes straight (I could hear from the next room). Do you think his behaviour was different the next day? No, it was not.

If I am telling my kids off, I do it quickly (under 30 seconds) and normally basically whispering because I find they actually pay more attention (and are more terrified) if I do that.

[DinkyDaisy]

I think the issue is the fear of rugby here.
[May have missed a post somewhere, so apologies if so].
Does that need to be the discussion?
My ds dislikes contact rugby and now in year 9 does not have to play it but actually does sport in a mixed group of boys and girls doing other sports. [The girls do get the opportunity to play rugby as well I hasten to add!].
He liked tag rugby but spent the entire time avoiding the ball or getting rid of it, super fast, in any direction to avoid being tackled in contact rugby. He played but not an asset to the team I don't think. Dislikes football as well. Loving other sports though...

[Mich0027]

I went and met the teacher yesterday so I could get he measure of him myself. He does like the sound of his own voice haha. We had a good discussion and both parties (teacher
And son) have agreed to start with a clean slate next week. Rugby has finished for now so it's football next week thankfully 😅

[cariadlet]

I'm glad you've managed to sort things. Hopefully football will be less scary for your son than rugby was.

[FoxyDog1234]

If it’s an accidental misdemeanour ect or something not serious such as talking , shouting out once or twice then I think I calm word with the child would be fine . If they are purposely misbehaving and testing the boundaries and doing things such as being purposely cheeky , shouting out multiple silly comments then instead of losing your temper you should send them outside so you’re able to explain how disruptive or rude they’re being . This avoids embarrassment and diffuses the situation a bit . I know with my DS , she’s hardly ever shouted at as the teachers know it won’t work . Instead , politely asking her to stand outside while she calms down from a laughing fit or when she’s in an extremely talkative or shouty outy mood seems to do the trick . Pupils tend to try harder to behave if you put more of an effort in to understand there situation

[AuntieUrsula]

One of the things DD3 (who admittedly is not as resilient as I would like) finds stressful about school is shouty teachers, and she does seem to have a couple who shout constantly (at kids not paying attention, messing about etc). The fact that they're not shouting at her doesn't seem to matter - it's still creating an atmosphere she finds uncomfortable.

Really I just wish that those kids (and there seem to be a few in every class) who spend the entire lesson shouting out, chatting, harassing their neighbours and generally just being disruptive would just settle down!