"Great teachers focus on the behavior they expect of their students, not on the consequences for misbehavior." - Todd Whitaker
I love this quote because there are so many times that we forget these are little people.
Todd addresses effective vs. ineffective teachers and their response to student misbehaviors:
- Effective teachers have 1 goal - to keep that behavior from happening again
- Ineffective teachers have a different goal - punishing a student - focusing on the past
As educators, we must focus on those things that we have the ability to influence.
He poses these questions:
- What can teachers do when a student misbehaves?
- What is in your bag of tricks?
- Which of these "tricks" always works?
- Does every teacher have the same tricks?
As you reflect on the various classroom strategies you use and the tricks in your bag, this is what we do know:
- Humiliation / Sarcasm is never appropriate.
- We never win an argument with a student - as soon as it starts, we have lost.
- Aside from an emergency, it is never appropriate to yell at a student.
Click here for a Classroom Discipline Self-Assessment
As yourself this:
- What did you learn about yourself in reading the self-assessment questions?
- What types of things can you do to ensure that your classroom "bag of tricks" is ready for each day?
- When you have a difficult student, what steps do you take to increase the "bag of tricks" you have a positive impact?
Post your thoughts on these questions:
1. What must be established with students and parents/guardians every year that is a tremendous "trick" in your bag?
2. How do you keep your "calm" in the midst of what might be perceived as "chaos"?
3. What can you do each day to help maintain your own "calm" for every class every day?
1. Trust
ReplyDelete2. Remember that I teach 11& 12 year olds
3. Pray
1. Agree with Nancy---trust
ReplyDelete2. Find the humor in things---laugh instead of cry
3. Prayer & exercise
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ReplyDelete1. Communication.
ReplyDelete2. Though it is hard, recognize the creativity in the chaos.
3. Remember that they are self-conscious teenagers trying to fit in and be cool...
I love finding creativity in the chaos--good one!
Delete1. Confidence that we're working toward a common goal.
ReplyDelete2. Breathe & pray for patience & understanding.
3. Approach it as a brand new day & let yesterday's craziness go.
1. Trust and communication
ReplyDelete2. With a grateful heart realize that this, too, shall pass. Take time to just breathe.
3. Start each day fresh and with prayer.
1. Trust
ReplyDelete2. Use the chaos as an opportunity to set an example for your students and keep you eye on the ball!
3. Be prepared so the speed bumps won't be as drastic.
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ReplyDelete1. Relationships
ReplyDelete2. Be responsive, not reactive
3. Step away and exercise.
1. Trust and respect
ReplyDelete2. Remember that they are kids that need a lot of positive guidance
3. Pray, exercise, alone time
1. Respect, and with respect comes trust
ReplyDelete2. Usually it takes quite a bit to unhinge me, I usually pause and BREATHE to refocus myself
3. Communicate, reflect on what I can do to maintain inner peace. I would like to say exercise!! but somehow I never do make that a priority for myself:(
1. It is important to develop relationships with both the student and the parent. Through relationships a rapport is established and trust forms. Communication is my tool.
ReplyDelete2. I am hard wired calm. A lesson I learned at TDCJ that has stuck with me is to have a plan prepared for whatvto do in stressful situations. I have a plan in place in the event if a lock down; what can be an effective tools in my possession for survival, how can I protect the students around me, etc. With Gary's health issues, I have shown up at the hospital with all his meds, cell phone chargers, raided all the spare change in the house, had an extra blanket, called a friend and had Alexandra picked up from ICU, the list goes on. Pre planning how to handle situations will aid in staying calm when something happens.
3. Begin each day expecting it to be great andremaining centered through prayer.
1. Developing a strong relationship will build trust and respect.
ReplyDelete2. Smile :) Try to refocus the chaos with a positive approach.
3. Start each day with prayer and positive affirmations.
1. Consistency builds trust.
ReplyDelete2. Take deep breaths. Count to 10 and regroup. Smile.
3. Get up on time so the morning isn't rushed, quiet time and prayer.
1. Building relationships
ReplyDelete2. Focus on the "big picture" let "little things" go. Learn from mistakes/experiences. Tomorrow is a new day.
3. Wake up each day knowing that "today I will make a difference" in the lives of my students. Stay positive and smile!
1. Trust and respect
ReplyDelete2. Patience, remember that you are the adult, and breathe.
3. Begin your day with prayer and a positive attitude.
1 Build a relationship.
ReplyDelete2. I try to step back and see things from their perspective.
3. Working with these kids right here in Brock is my 'dream job".
Even though it can be stressful I really am fortunate to be able to do what I love. When it gets a little crazy, I remind myself of how lucky I am to be surrounded by these kids.
1. Trust, communication, and respect to build those relationships.
ReplyDelete2. Depending on the situation, laugh, take a deep breath, refocus and start again.
3. I like to get to school early, be fairly organized, and start class with a positive attitude each day.
1. Pray throughout the summer, before school, throughout the day, and for students
ReplyDelete2. Communication: showing that you care and building relationships with trash
3. Consistency: greet students at the door, be the same under all circumstances, model a positive attitude, and since students off knowing they are loved
1. Finding common ground. Student success in a safe and healthy environment is everyone's goal.
ReplyDelete2. Keep keep it all in perspective. As long as it isn't life or death then it will all be okay.
3. I remain at my best by celebrating the small things. Enjoy the little successes and goals met along the way.
1. Trust and respect
ReplyDelete2. I try to remind myself that I want/desire patience from others, so I should give it as well.
3. Be positive and don't sweat the small stuff.
1. Trust is Key
ReplyDelete2. Donna is my calm in the chaos :P
3. Every day is a new day and I have to remember to BREATHE.
1. Relationships I build are based on reliability, consistency, and loyalty.
ReplyDelete2. My kiddos know that they can count on me to be the positive role-model they need in their life.
3. Sometimes just finding the humor in a situation, can lighten the mood in both parties.
3.
1. Build relationships and communication
ReplyDelete2. Take a deep breath, sometimes just shake my head as I refocus and sometimes just laugh
3. Pray every morning and drink coffee!
1. Be consistent & clearly communicate
ReplyDelete2. A woman I worked for & had great respect for had the following standard: if no children are dying it can't be that bad. I often think of that and at times I just try to laugh
3. Take time for ME. I can't "do school" 24/7. I need a break to refresh & reflect.
1. Trust and communication
ReplyDelete2. Breathe through the tough times
3. Pray daily
1. Trust and Honesty
ReplyDelete2. Prayer is my 1st step and then let God lead me after a deep breathe
3. Devotion and Prayer 1st. 2nd- remember you are not alone in the school. Ask others for help!
1. Academic and social (how we treat each other) expectations are set high in the beginning of the year, fifth graders are still "pleasers" and they work so hard to meet them.
ReplyDelete2. Sometimes I just wait and watch (and eavesdrop!). If I have guided them correctly, the students will usually find a way to work out most situations based on how we've agreed to treat each other at the beginning of the year.
3. Whatever mood I am in, I can tell the kids feed off of it. Each day, I make a conscious effort to smile, and I notice it starts us all off on a positive note.
1. I try to find an interest we share that is not classroom related. A trick I found is unique handshake that we both come up with.
ReplyDelete2. If I can leave it alone for some time and then come back to it when I'm calm I will.
3. Sit in a calm, quite place and pray.
1. Trusting relationships is key. They have to know that you care. I find things to talk to them about that we have in common.
ReplyDelete2. I am usually a calm person anyway. I handle stressful situations pretty well. I step back and figure out how to approach the situation the right way. Sometimes my emotions get the best of me, but I can usually pull it together quickly.
3. I like to pray, listen to my music to get me going, and I have to have my coffee. My kids take note when I still have half a cup left and encourage me to get that finished up. I sometimes misplace my cup and I joke with the kids about not drinking any if I leave it sitting near them. I need every single drop. :)
1. Be honest and positive. People want to see authenticity.
ReplyDelete2. Three deep breaths/imagine I'm at corgi beach day (usually makes me happy and makes me smile)
3. I listen to some calming music and enjoy multiple cups of coffee
-Trust and from a great bond
ReplyDelete-Take a deep breath
-realize the struggles and challenges they face everyday