I'm not sure if I've mentioned this before

but one of the phenomenon that really intrigues me is the way students think that we (as teachers) desire their approval. I constantly make students angry and hear something to the tune of "I hate this class." Or today, when I student was upset that she was failing (I have seen her about a dozen times in 8 weeks) she said, "but this is my favorite class!" As if their level of interest has some inherent connection with their grade, or even better, that their disapproval of the teacher or the class is going to in some way hurt the teacher's feelings. Are you kidding?! I hate this class is a compliment! At least this year it is anyway.