Queuing -- Chinese Style

I think it's some sort of Chinese thing, but when I have activities that require students to raise their hands (which is all the time), my kids think it's okay to jump out of their seats and yell, "Let me try!!!!" in order for me to choose them. I'm pretty sure this behavior is reinforced in their Chinese classes, as it seems to be the Chinese "way" to be aggressive in order to get your way. That's why people don't bother waiting in lines, push ahead to get on the bus, drive over yellow lines, and allover don't understand the concept of taking turns and being patient.

 

Anyway, I've been working on unestablishing (word?) this behavior, as it's extremely annoying, gets the class very rowdy, and makes it so I can't hear anything. I refuse to call on students who are yelling and only choose the ones who are quietly, patiently, putting their hands in the air. I explain to the loud ones why I'm not choosing them, make the class be silent, etc. etc. You'd think that after two weeks of this the kids would get the hint. But no. In fact, some are getting worse. And today I almost burst out laughing in the middle of class as a student, who was so desperate because he really knew the answer, stood on his chair yelling louder as I ignored him, "Diannaaaa! Let me try! I looooove youuuuu!!!"

 

That got all the students started. "Dianna. I love you! Let me try! I love you!"

 

I had to turn around to keep them from seeing me laughing. As much as I love being told "I love you" (and I almost caved and chose him because, seriously, how cute is that?) I pointed at him and said "Thank you. I love you too. Be quiet. An jing! Then I can let you try."

 

I love these kids!