Mimesis and Modelling

I think that if you want your students to behave a certain way, showing them what you want done is the most effective way. For instance, if you want them to be quiet and whisper, whisper yourself. If you do not want them to say certain words when speaking to a group of boys and girls, then do not say those words yourself. Otherwise, you send mixed messages, and the value of the instruction is confused. The same is true for notions of mutual respect, attentive listening, etc. Everything in life, it seems to me, goes in cycles. Not only is it true that what goes around comes around, but we also mimic each other's behavior and moralities. Therefore, as teachers, we have to set a good example.