Monday, September 17, 2007
classroom management
Prov 15:1, NIV “A gentle answer turns away wrath"
i think that the best thing i ever did was read harry wong’s book “the first days of school". and attend the classroom management seminar.
the first few days of school, i had a couple of girls that had attitudes in my last period class. within a few days, using the techniques i had learned in that one class and from browsing through the book, they became the biggest helpers and participators in my class. i was so excited and pleased that within 3 days things had turned around.
and then the counselors threw in 15 more students into that classroom. all of a sudden i had twice as many students, and i felt so naive at thinking the counselors would overlook the fact that the last period class had only 15 students that were regularly attending (i had more on the roster, but they might have moved or changed schools without notifying anyone).
well… when my last period class doubled in size, the students that had become helpers joined the new girls with attitude. together, they ditched my 4th period class, all 5 of them defiantly strolling into my 5th period class -after- the bell rang. i didn’t know what i was going to do, but i knew i had to do something.
so last friday, i got to work early and sat there reading harry wong’s book, looking for tips. and all he said to do was smile at them, address them by name, ask them to do something using the word please, and then say thank you when they comply.
yeah.... it was so easy, but i realized i was treating them with the attitude i didn’t want to have, and so i changed courses and let them do the fun activity even though i didn’t think they earned it. i complimented the ringleader on how great her project looked, and told her she could hang it on the wall when she was finished.
i can’t believe something that small and simple worked.
the girls today were altogether pleasant to have in class, the major disruptors stayed quiet all period, working quietly at their desks. the most i saw them do was motion to each other across the room and mouth words to each other, but nothing worse than that. today i thanked “the ringleader” several times for her great behavior, for staying on task, for being quiet, for being a good student, etc. i tried to be specific and thank her for participating,
it’s so amazing to me that there has been such a drastic change with such a small action. but i sure hope i can continue to do what it takes to keep that trust and cooperation.