question re teacher/teaching style

9th grader is having trouble with a teacher who uses handouts a lot but doesn't lecture in class. 9th grader feels there are no notes to study from and doesn't understand subject as much as she wants. 9th grader went to the teacher for extra help, explained how she learns best when teacher explains stuff, teacher says she "doesn't like to talk." Kid getting frustrated. what if anything should I do? thanks!

What happens during class time? What kind of homework is given? Maybe ask teacher for online resource so student can watch lecture on subject online and take notes . Kind of a self designed flipped classroom. But seriously what is occurring in class

Worksheets in class, worksheets for homework, referring kids to the textbook to fill out the worksheets. for one topic she did a lecture, and kid got that. I looked at Khan Academy but don't see any videos, I think watching a lecture would be good for her. Will suggest my kid ask for online resources.

In regular ed, teachers do not have to cater to individual learning needs....but a good teacher uses a variety of styles. The principal should be made aware of this and should be doing evaluations.

Its really hard to judge without knowing what the handouts contain....but class discussion is a good learning tool to get an understanding of the handouts.

One man's opinion:

Any sentient being can learn the information presented; whether by text, film, or otherwise.

Learning to think, requires interaction.

And thinking, is the most valuable skill, a student can acquire.

TomR

Sounds like a teacher unfamiliar with the material. I don't see the benefit.

Agree with jmitw. I would speak with the head of the teacher's dept and cc Ms Aaron.

As an old (and I do mean OLD) teacher you quickly learn that students naturally have different learning styles. Some retain things better if they learn by reading, some by lectures or class discussion, and some by some sort of visual stimulation (like power points or slide shows, what we used to call "visual aids")

In my opinion, a good teacher integrates ALL tthenhese methods to reinforce materials covered in class. I can't think of anything less inspired or inspiring than to fill out worksheets 100% of the time.

I think a conference with the teacher is in order, first. And then, if her account is consistent with that of your daughter, perhaps a discussion with the Department Head might be advisable.

Good luck!

Agree with Calliope

This doesn't sound like a great teaching method but not all teachers are equal. In life, you get the good and the ones who simply don't mesh with your learning style or, perhaps, are even bad teachers. While I think you can certainly provide feedback and ratings accordingly, I suggest your daughter adapt and understand that this is the way this teacher operates. As a result, she'll have to work differently. Using aids and tools she finds on line, using a discussion group with classmates, by speaking out examples, doing some sort of research or writing a report or maybeby additional reading or watching videos. To me, that's part of the learning experience in high school- adapting to different teachers and how they teach.

Is this math teacher? My kid had one last year who used to keep putting the kids in groups with problems to figure out on their own. Fine...but she never showed them how to solve the problem hersel. Kid had a terrible time, but did spend a lot of time on Khan Academy to figure things out. Maddening! I wish we had intervened.

NizhoniGrrrl said:
Is this math teacher? My kid had one last year who used to keep putting the kids in groups with problems to figure out on their own. Fine...but she never showed them how to solve the problem hersel. Kid had a terrible time, but did spend a lot of time on Khan Academy to figure things out. Maddening! I wish we had intervened.

In a way, I think a kid who has to learn how to figure it out for themselves has learned something much more valuable than the course content ever could be. Of course, the sink or swim method ill-serves most students.

If the subject is Geometry, pm me. I can recommend a couple of books that are quite helpful.

serious question: How (or perhaps rather, why) do you become a high school teacher if you don't like to talk to your class? That's your primary task. Talk to your students so they get an understanding of the work.

Have you spoken directly to the teacher? It's a good place to start. Asking the teacher for suggestions and assistance also is a non threatening / non confrontational way of getting to a possible solution. Good luck