stumper
How can I handle a student who is constantly trying to "stump" the teacher?
The times I have had a student try to stump me, I have also said we should discuss that after class. That often works. I have also asked the student to try and research the correct answer. Sometimes, the student does research the answer and I ask the student to share the information with the class.
I also really like the idea of turning it into a class discussion. "Does anyone know the answer to this question?" "Where do you think we can find the answer.?"
Hi Sandra, Students certainly are competitive and so they do enjoy challenges like that. Best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
Hi Patrick, That's good advice! Thanks for your post to the forum and best wishes for continued success in your teaching career.
Susan Polick
If the question isn't a distraction and relevant to the discussion I sometimes stop and ask if someone can look that up. (We all have computers in front of us.) I find students love to research when put on the spot and will strive to provide a suitable answer first. In other words, I often try to make a stump attempt part of the discussion if at all possible by getting them all involved in finding a solution.
Marcie,
Either answer the question if you know the answer, or redirect the question to the entire class. I run under the assumption that someone in the class is smarter than I am. If no other student has input, I make it a class assignment.
praise them. they are involved and you want them as ally, not adversary in the learning process
I thought those techniques were great and I plan to use them.
Hi Marcie - Since often those types of questions are "off-topic" I usually ask the student if we can discuss the question after class. They usually do not want to stay after class that often! Another tactic is to say " That's an interesting question! Would you please do some research and report back to us tomorrow?"
Susan Polick
