should i call my students by their first or last name?

Question

since i am starting with a new class this year, do middle school students prefer to be called "Mr. Smith" or "Joseph?"

i was under the impression that is more respectful to call students by their last name

athletic coaches often call students by their last names but leave off the Mr. of Miss.

Answer 1

prepare a survey and give to each student
what do you prefer to be called mr jones ,miss jones or your first name.
you might ask them other questions , what type of extra assignments they might be interested in for extra points, or reading assignsments, what type would they like..

Answer 2

I think students prefer to be called by their first name only. Unless instructed otherwise by one or two students. But, I also think students should use the first names of teachers as well. I do not think it causes any disrespect at all. This no doubt is a carry over from the puritan days! When teachers are in their lounge, they use a first name basis. Is that also showing disrespect? I think not. Children would be more apt to learn boundaries if they were taught respect, etc.

Answer 3

When I was in a British boarding school some sixty years ago, I was called by my last name...Only when I did something bad, was I called Mr. Lastname. I was never called by my first name, even by fellow students...Now in all of my classes, I use first names all around. Students use my first name; I use their first names. I never use their last names except when I'm calling the roll.

I think the last name, Mr. usage is very formal and old-fashioned. Maybe they still do this in British schools, but if your school is in the US, I think it is appropriate for your students to call you Mr. and for you to call them by their first names (except when there are two identical first names, then use first name-last name). I certainly wouldn't call middle school students Mr. Reserve Mr. for graduate school students.

Answer 4

Depends on the mood you want to set for your class. Last name is significantly more formal but it also means they are more like equals. First name brings back memories of elementary school. If they have to refer to you as Mrs Smith instead of Susan or Diana you are really spreading that gap.

Answer 5

Definitely first name. I would find it very odd if my teachers called me by my last name, even as a junior in college. Like it was said, calling a student Mr. or Ms. makes it seem like he or she is in trouble.

Answer 6

Do you want them calling you by your last name without a title in front of it ?

It's just a little friendly and more open to use their given names or what they want to be called, than their last names. The other sounds like it's out of Eton or some other fancy english boarding school.

Answer 7

rather typical on the secondary point. I had a instructor who stated as me by ability of my final call. Her clarification became that there have been 3 others in college on the time with my final call (it is not an exceedingly often used call, in spite of the undeniable fact that it is likewise a small college) and attempting to bear in ideas my first call may be too lots of a complication. Granted, she became the instructor i ended up hating (not for that reason).

Answer 8

It depends, if they are in grades under 9, then by all means their first name, if they are in grades 10 to college then by their last name, like Mr. Anderson or Miss butcher or like that..

Answer 9

I usually only use their last names if I am trying to get their attention. Usually first names is better. But, if you teach in a private school, there may be a different level of formality.

Answer 10

How do you like to be addressed? It is respectful to address them with a Mr. or Miss. It is whatever your preference is and how personal you would like to be with the students. P.S. When you want their attention...definitely a MR. or MISS! Good luck. That is such a hard age!