Smart aleck in a class can tear apart a newbie teacher who has not seen much of the various personalities of the classroom and is not equipped to deal with this traps. They can also intimidate the most experienced teachers.

                Smart alecks make the class laugh, his antics can really disturb the teaching and learning process. If you have a students who have this type of “intelligence”, how do we teachers deal with them?

• Keeping a cool head will give a smart aleck student a dose of his own medicine. He will see that you are not the least embarrassed or angered by his remark or antics. Counting “one to ten” can really help a lot before allowing the psyche of smart aleck affects you.
•  Avoid the class in front of the class is a good thing if it keeps the lesson moving. Smart alecky behavior is a scream for attention. Consider his behavior oftentimes.

• Always put in mind that smart aleck student always intends to make the class laugh. If he tries to be funny, laugh with him but never compromise the class.

• Don’t try to make the class laugh if you are not a natural “joker”. You will send a bad message to the smart aleck in your class. Hold your tongue, if throwing witty one-liner is not exactly your forte.

• Give the smart aleck in your class an identifiable and creative role. The designation will give him the satisfying feeling of being noticed by the class.

• Don’t take it personally. Don’t harbor ill feelings. You’re the teacher and you’re supposed to know better.

Smart aleck in the class is not a different student. They are unique students like the others. They have a different style of learning. They need our attention.

               

               

By: Melinda C. Raposa | Teacher III | Limay Elementary School | Limay, Bataan