How Not to Argue with Students

We’ve all been there–you find yourself in a silly argument with a student:

Teacher: “Vicky, spit out the gum.”

Student: “I’m not chewing gum.”

Teacher: “Yes, you are–I saw you chewing.”

Student: “I’m not.”

Stop right there!

Is this an argument you want to continue?

When putting a frame around your classroom discipline procedures, it is helpful to realize there is never any reason to argue with a student. In fact, included in my classroom rules is the statement ‘I don’t argue with students.’

This is the answer I give to any student who wants to argue or engage me in useless debate over any direction they don’t like. They can get their parent or dean or counselor involved if they think it’s that important, but otherwise we are not going to spend time on it. (To date, I have never had a student want to spend time out of class on an issue.)

So let’s say you tell a student to change their seat. They say ‘Why?’

You say ‘Because you were talking.’

‘I wasn’t talking.’

“Yes you were.’

This is what I call useless argument. Try this:

“Ben, change your seat to that desk.’

‘Why?’

‘I don’t argue with students. Change your seat or face the consequence.’

With a good classroom discipline plan the student will already know what that consequence is, and it will count. No reason to waste your time arguing. This will save you many hours over your career. Make one of your classroom management policies that you do not argue with students–then don’t.

Here’s to happy teaching–

Craig Seganti