Connections: I contrasted the readings in this first chapter to what I'd overheard about teaching. One of the sayings that stood out was "don't smile until Thanksgiving" meaning that students should get the idea that you expect them to conform to all of your classroom rules and that they should consider you a serious authority figure.
Considering conversations I have had with my Uncle, Mother, the teachers of this class, and my peers I now think that rule is pretty silly. I don't think you have to put on a tough front to get students' respect--I think you earn it by being genuine and showing that you are concerned for them. I do think you need confidence and to have a plan to go by and that you need to consistently remind them of the classroom rules, but these things aren't in opposition.
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