Classroom Management - Can you be fired for poor behavior?

 Hi Everyone!   This post falls under the category of "there must be information missing."

This article from the Orlando Sentinel discusses a teacher getting fired when a young lady acted inappropriately. It seems that the layout of the classroom made it difficult to see all students at one time. Check it out and think about the importance of always monitoring your students!

HS Classroom Management Student Project

Fantastic!  Looks like a group of going-to-be-teachers created a "proactive" video that brilliantly shows power struggles between high school teachers and students.

Maybe the next project will demonstrate the solutions they describe (like we do in our DVD) but this is a great start!  Kudos to the teacher who assigned the project and to the students for doing such a nice job!

Behavior Management in Challenge Based Learning

 Well - it was an interesting week and my laptop is not the better for it.  But, since life goes on - I have to talk about an interesting Apple seminar I attended.

The program, Preparing Students for Career Success (K12) concentrated on the technology that folks in creative industries (film and photography) use on a daily basis.

What I found even more interesting, from an educator's point of view, was Apple's Challenge Based Learning site.  I think you can figure out we are talking about students researching, analyzing and solving challenges the way adults do in the workplace.

So - how do teachers move from the "sage on the stage" to the guide who learns along the way?  Almost more importantly, how do teachers learn to manage classrooms where students are interacting, learning at their own pace and seeing the teacher as a resource more than the expert?

My answer - it does not matter one bit what the content of your class is in terms of management.  You set the general guidelines, you establish proper behavior protocols and you model professional behavior.  Students want boundaries and you will have to reinforce fewer of them the more engaged your students become.

Classroom Management by Lesson Structure?

So - how do you really teach a lesson?  When I was a young teacher, I learned the Madeline Hunter Method for teaching. 

1. objectives
2. standards
3. anticipatory set
4. teaching
   • input
   • modeling
   • check for understanding
5. guided practice/monitoring
6. closure
7. independent practice

While some of the older teachers complained, for a young teacher it was super helpful!

Does having a prescriptive way of teaching help a high school teacher?  That is the question in this educating grace blog post. 

The answer - YES.  Here is an alternative to Madeline Hunter's Model.

1. Identify their goals for the instructional activity
2. Identify their strategy
3. Structure a scaffolded activity for students
4. Identify the checks for understanding
5. Identify the behavioral expectations

Pick the one you like!

Classroom Management - Cell Phones in Class

Today I had a conversation with a vendor about the future of laptops in schools.  I tend to think that future technology education purchases will involve a variety of devices. 

We all know students are addicted to their cell phones.  Let's face - so are a lot of teachers!  Well, one school, Haverstraw Middle School, has a new pilot program that distributes cell phones to students.  The phones have calls and texts disabled but the devices are Internet capable. 

Managing technology, especially technology that can be easily hidden under a desk while a teacher runs class, is a challenge. 

This kind of technology requires clear behavior expectations, consistent reminders of polite behavior (what I think many adults need too...) and specific ramifications for poor technology choices.  Never be afraid of taking a device if you designed that consequence.  If a bad grade can be the result of poor behavior - that lesson should be quickly learned in your room.

How to Talk to Angry Parents

 Hi Everyone!  After a week of fighting off the flu - I am finally feeling better.  Who knew you could get the flu in the Spring?

Anyway, I found a great article about Susan Scott's Fierce Conversation Training.  I experienced a few angry parents in my teaching career so of course those conferences are the ones I remember.  Overall, I suggest you listen and allow parents to vent.  Then, repeat back to the parents what you believe the issues are.

Seems simple right?  Unfortunately emotionally charged conversations can be tricky.  Here is a series of sample questions from Susan Scott's Mineral Rights strategy:

*How long has this been going on?
*What result is this producing? Who does it affect?
*What are your emotions about it?
*If nothing changes, what is likely to occur?
*What has been your contribution to this problem?
*What would your ideal outcome be?
*What is the most powerful next step you can take?

These questions may help you stay focused when dealing with parents.  If you are interested in reading more, check out the Journal of Staff Development's article, "The Right Conversation Strategy Can Extinguish Anger and Strengthen Parent-Teacher Relationships" by Jamie Sussel Turner.

FAA Training Manual - Learning Theory

I think blog reading is wonderful!

I went from Tim Ferris' blog to a marketing link to this fantastic document from the FAA.

This is not a document about flying as much as it is how to teach someone to fly.  Think about it - the ultimate success of a flight instructor is the long life of each student!

Suddenly - learning theory becomes very important!  So - while I haven't read the entire article yet, I really like a few sections so far.  Page 1-5, which describes Theory X and Y about work, is super interesting.  Following the contrasting lists, the article states, "Since it is human nature to be motivated, the responsibility for discovering how to realize the potential of the student lies with the instructor."  I think that is the challenge faced by every teacher!

Here is the article.  Enjoy!
FAA How to Learn

Performance-Based Pay for Teachers in Oklahoma

How do you feel about teacher pay incentives for student performance?

Oklahoma is looking to be more competitive in the Race to the Top federal funds competition. This legislation is one step toward that goal according to the article, "Performance-Based Pay Bill Passes House."

"The legislation states that the incentives should be based upon student and school performance growth and aspects such as leadership skills, organizational and classroom management skills and instructional leadership."

What do you think?   Can money motivate teachers to be better in the classroom?

Presence - Can it be taught?

Absolutely!  Just remember that Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith had to learn it.

I was just chatting with a friend about how young teachers develop presence.  An experienced teacher has his/her own presence that draws student attention.  It is not related to height or gender.  I think it is almost entirely based on attitude and confidence.

In the article, Presence: What Actors Have That Leaders Need.  "Presence comes from within. It begins with an inner state, which leads to a series of external behaviors."

Simply put - if you think you should command attention - you will! Your confidence is not defined by your students' actions!  It is yours no matter what!

Picture courtesy of www.fujiura.com.

Teachers as Managers

While colleges struggle to find ways to teach classroom management, I think they might be better teaching management principals.

In the Study Up blog, the author wrote, "A good teacher should also be a good manager. Management is all about managing resources and problems in the most efficient manner to get the desired result and indirectly improve profitability."

This is a critical skill for high school teachers.  They usually have a short period of time to minimize power struggles and have to work efficiently to address the varied academic needs of adolescents.

If you find you are having issues controlling your classes.  Think about the process differently.  Start thinking of yourself as a manager!

Educators on Twitter

 It is a rainy Sunday and I am jumping back into Twitter.  There are just so many good folks Tweeting great things!  I'm jsitnick on Twitter.


Especially helpful in finding fellow educators is the The Twitter4Teachers Wiki.

Fantastic job Gina Hartman or ghartman on Twitter!

Which Twitter app do you find most useful?

Stand Still!

In the article, "Better training, better teachers" by Lawrence Harmon there is a quick summary of Doug Lemov's April publication of “Teach Like a Champion:49 Techniques that Put Students on the Path to College."

Two lines really stuck out at me.  "One of the best pieces of advice Lemov ever received as a novice teacher was to stand still when giving directions to a class. Teachers who pass out papers or move around while offering directions dilute the importance of the command, or at least that’s how students see it."

If you stand still and make direct eye contact while delivering instructions - students will absolutely listen more.  It is funny - this is an absolute and I remember telling my student teachers that standing still will make them look far more confident than if they moved around while delivering specific directions.  Great advice!

 

Strong Class Management Video

 In my opinion, it is easier to study and imitate good classroom management than to read and figure it out from a book.  That was one of our concepts in the DVD!

With this in mind, check out Yvonne Divans Hutchinson from California's King-Drew Medical Magnet School.  She allowed her class to be videotaped and we have the pleasure of seeing good management skills in the third video, "Engage in Small Group Discussion."  

Take notice of her confidence, clear directions and use of effective pausing as she speaks.  Also, notice how she seems to be part of the class instead of simply in front of it.  And hey - if you are a secondary English teacher - check out some of the lessons!

Many thanks to Ms. Hutchinson and her class!

Weekly Websites 3/22

I do my best to send Weekly Websites to my "techie" teachers.  I get such good feedback - I might as well start sharing them here!


http://prezi.com/r2lbb3lfomg5/playing-to-learn-math/
I stopped at an elementary school and saw how excited the students are about First in Math.  This Prezi presentation (if you are new to Prezi – enjoy) is interesting because it presents learning theory about math in a fun, interesting way.  I watched about half of it but I think math teachers might find it interesting.

http://www.purposegames.com/
Nice site to make games for those interactive whiteboards.

http://www.ilovepdf.com/
“Online tools to merge, split and manage PDF files”

http://www.writingfun.com/
“Helping kids write using text organizers”  

http://www.proconlists.com/list/new
Talk about everything going online!  My old pen and paper lists are so last year.  This site would have been great when discussing characters’ decisions.  I love the “Rational Weight” vs the “Emotional Weight” of the pros and cons.  I didn’t preview this site – I’m not sure if it requires a sign up for the previews.

http://www.pdfmyurl.com/
Turn websites into PDFs for easier printing and/or saving.

http://www.whiteboardblog.co.uk/
For those of you using interactive whiteboards (and there is an ever growing population of you out there) you might want to subscribe to this blog or at least check it out.  If you don’t subscribe to blogs yet, check out how to subscribe to RSS feeds.  http://www.google.com/reader/view/#welcome-page

http://smartmeasurement.wikispaces.com/
Elementary resources for interactive whiteboards

On the Exploding Beakers blog, the author writes a few questions to ask yourself as a teacher:

"When looking at ideas related to classroom reform, I ask myself the following questions:

- Who decides what the student will learn on a given day?

- Who decides how the student will learn?

- Who decides when the student is done learning?

 

People who answer these questions with "the teacher" are not moving in the same direction as me."

 

Very interesting.   I have a mild issue with the last question because I think that is a mix between teachers and students because teachers need to think about the end before they begin.  Still - good questions.

What Great Teachers Do Differently

"Great classrooms, the teacher determines what students will do next…poor classroom, students determine what teacher will do next."  NCMSA10: Todd Whitaker Keynote

This is a wonderful quote on the The Technorate Teacher blog.  I think it is the perfect example of teachers not having control and allowing students define their classes.

Fantastic!

Another winner, "Great teachers have incredible ability to 'ignore'.  Classroom management has more to do with “class” than with management"

No Syllabus Necessary!

I just read one of Geoffrey Greer's blog postings titled, "End Totalitarian Teaching" and completely agreed with him!  He talks about the age old technique of boring students to death during the first day of school. 

I started my first year the same way. I handed out a syllabus and reviewed everything we were going to do for the year.  Heck - I didn't know better - I was told to do that!

I learned very quickly how much that alienated the students because I saw from the start that they were tuning me out.

The problem is that student teachers rarely get to start a new year to evaluate a cooperating teacher's strategy.  So, when they have to start the year, they tend to fall back on how their college professors started their courses.  Unfortunately, it doesn't translate well to high school students.

In our DVD we talk about a course expectation sheet.  Explain to the students how things work in your room.  You don't need a lot of rules - you need to emphasize respect because it is the umbrella under which all proper behavior resides.

We even suggest breaking up the expectation sheet over a few days.  That way you can get the students immediately working on their first assignments.  I always made mine a short reading test (high interest) and writing sample.  That way I knew within the first few days if I had students misplaced in my class. 

Rethink your first day strategy if you are doing all the talking and the students aren't busy!

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

As many of you know, I adopted a German Shepherd mix in September.  I went to the shelter looking for a small dog and left with a dog that was three days away from the needle.  But - as you can probably guess - she is not small!

She is a lovely dog when in the house and during obedience training.  Yet when we meet other dogs on our walks, she starts shaking and barking like crazy.  All the books and videos talk about how being a strong leader will reduce her anxiety and poor behavior.  Sounds simple since the same logic holds in a classroom.

There is one major difference - she is a dog.  She doesn't respond to a stern look or a deep voice when she starts to get scared.  I have to be completely preventative and work on training. 

Recently a blog article about space and leadership made me slap (figuratively) my forehead.

With a dog and two birds, I tend to allow animals to have the run of their own areas.  The bird is allowed on the counter to shred her beloved paper and the dog has the run of the house.  I recently learned though that dogs express leadership through space.  So each time I stepped over her, I was inadvertently telling her that she is the leader since I will move for her.  Amazing!  As soon as I read that piece of information - I immediately thought of young teachers who allow students to act inappropriately in "their space" - the classroom!  I immediately started to make the dog move for me the way I would make students move for me in the hallway and it has made a tremendous difference! 

Take away tidbit - Own your space with your presence and leadership!

My Daily Difficult Conversation!

Was she really that rude?  Oh yeah - she was.

I am buying a few books, (major vice) and a woman storms to the register and demands the sales person clean up a pile of books on the floor. 

No regard for waiting in line.  No regard for manners.  No regard that the person she was directing her ire did not deserve it.

She was ignored by the sales person who was totally engrossed in trying to ring up my books.  She huffed and puffed and rolled her eyes at me about the poor service.

You know what this is?  It is a PERFECT time to practice confrontation!

After the eye roll, I said, “It helps if you say excuse me.”  She was stunned.  She tried to escalate the interaction by directing her anger at me.  “Oh does it?” she said with a sneer.  “Yes, it does” I sadi with a low voice and direct eye contact.

As she walked away - I was thanked by the sales clerk.  And this folks was my difficult conversation of the day!  It is a learned skill people - practice on anyone you can so you will be confortable in the classroom!

Playstation Gets It!

Have you argued with a student?

Admit it - you have.  And even worse - sometimes the student wins.

I know.  Don’t worry - there is a three step program for you.  (Hey it is better than a 12 step!)

First step:“John, please have a seat.”

Second step: “John, sit down.”

Third step: “John, sit.”

Notice there are no comments from the student.  That is because THEY DO NOT MATTER.  What matters is the behavior you expect.  When a student argues or tries to distract you - use repetiion. 

See it in action!  Check out this Playstation commercial.