This chapter was so, very easy to read! As I read this book, I wonder why this book isn't in any previous classes. This is just an outstanding book, and especially this last chapter.
I think that too many times we walk in to a classroom, the students are testing us to see where we stand on rules, and we get overwhelmed and freeze and forget everything we learned and just give consequences or yell. I know that I have personally done this, not that I am proud of it by any means. I just wanted to gain respect. Yelling is not the way that I should have done that. After the one time of doing that, I learned very quickly that's not how to build report, gain respect, or teach students.
Many of the things that were in this chapter were common sense, or should be. But like I stated before, it's not. I think that what I liked most about this chapter is the rules vs procedures part. I think that there is much confusions to this. And this chapter really cleared that up for me. Have simple rules with clear, cut consequences, and be consistent. Once you have this down, I think that everything else falls into place. You positive reinforcement, your simple reminders, your encouragement is all so much easier to do when you have the rules and procedures outlined for your classroom. These are the things that I want to see in my classroom when I teach. I am trying to apply all these things in student teacher, however, the rules are already established, and with it not being my room, I can't just change it all up.
I also think that one of the most important things to do is build that report with your students. So when you do have to discipline them, they will be way more receptive because they have a relationship with you and they don't want to sever that. In my classroom I will focus on building that report as well as positively building the students up. Focus on the positives. It's easy to focus on the negatives, yet that gets you nowhere. You need to focus on positives to get the positive behavior!
I'm thinking of everyone during their teaching experiences and hoping it is going well and that you are learning so much!! I know I am! Remember to have fun with your students as well! And smile :)
Logan,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're enjoying this book. Many times professors have so much to teach preservice teachers in our methods courses, that sometimes we can't "fit in" the practical side of teaching.
Great reflection on the chapter.
Logan,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you realize that yelling at students is not the way to gain their respect. That makes you better than those teachers who think it works. It's not worth the power struggle, and often times students like to put you in that situation to see how you react. Once you lose your cool, they've won. I agree that most of the concepts should be common sense, but I think teachers just forget what they've been taught in the heat of the moment. They revert back to what they were used to and what is easiest at the moment. I think that's why it's so important to have established consequences, so students know what to expect and as the teacher, you don't have to think of a punishment. I really like how you said you need to focus on positive behavior to get positive behavior! It's so true, and that's a good way to say it!
Good luck with teaching!
After the first day in a noisy classroom I told the students that trying to get above their noise gave me a sore throat. I told them they would have to raise their hands if they wanted to speak and when someone spoke out without raising a hand I would say, "oh, I'm sorry. I didn't even see your hand up to call on you. Would you like to share something?" They quieted down really fast and have been wonderful ever since. Now, the classroom I was dreading to have to teach I am really enjoying. I've been told that in a few weeks I may be moving to yet another content area - one that the teacher has told me is the worst behaved class she has ever had in her 30+ years of teaching. I'm seeing it as a challenge...A challenge to win over those students and see just how much I can get them involved so they will want to behave.
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