tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-86471269722411108032024-03-13T19:53:43.269-04:00JULIA G. THOMPSONPRACTICAL ADVICE FOR BUSY TEACHERSJulia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-87797826060420096722024-02-14T17:37:00.014-05:002024-03-01T15:34:32.551-05:00Exciting Changes On the Way!<p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The fifth edition of </span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody, serif;">The First-Year
Teacher's Survival Guide</span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> will be
published this spring! Michelle Cummings, a nationally recognized educator,
took on the task of updating the material in the fourth edition so that today's
new teachers can not only survive, but thrive. Michelle is a terrific
choice </span><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;">for</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> this task as </span><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;">she has</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> extensive experience as a teacher, principal,
assistant superintendent, and as </span><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;">the</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"> former Chief Academic Officer at Teachers Pay
Teachers (TPT). She graduated from Brown University and earned her Ed.M. at
Harvard Graduate School of Education. Michelle can be contacted for workshops
and speaking engagements through her website </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #215f9a;">(</span><span style="color: #2b00fe; mso-style-textfill-fill-alpha: 100.0%; mso-style-textfill-fill-color: #215F9A; mso-style-textfill-fill-colortransforms: "lumm=75000 lumo=25000"; mso-style-textfill-fill-themecolor: text2; mso-themecolor: text2; mso-themetint: 191;"><a href="http://michelle-cummings.com" target="_blank">michelle-cummings.com</a></span><span style="color: #215f9a;">) </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">where she also shares insights on a wide range of
educational </span><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;">topics
and at </span><span style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;"><a href="mailto:Michelle@michelle-cummings.com">Michelle@michelle-cummings.com</a></span><span style="color: #0e2841; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;">.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody, serif;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Her expert insight into the challenges that
beginning teachers face is evident in up-to-date advice to help novice teachers
develop practical classroom skills. What a pleasure it is to see that the
impact of </span><i><span style="color: black; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleItalicBody, serif;">The
First-Year Teacher's Survival Guide</span></i></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"> will
be even stronger as Michelle lends her voice, her experience, and her
understanding to the task of making that first year a positive one! </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></span></p><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-33249006293561418552021-08-23T09:36:00.002-04:002021-08-23T09:36:10.810-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Tenth and Last in a Series Just for New Teachers</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>A Few Things to Keep in Mind When Dealing with Difficult and Challenging Students</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">Several times I have mentioned that the slides here come from the seminars I presented before the pandemic changed everything. I have to admit that it was fun to be in a large room with lots of fellow educators sharing ideas about how to help every student succeed. It was not as much fun as being in a classroom with young students, but it was fun. It has been encouraging lately to see posts across a variety of social media platforms where teachers expressed their joy and excitement at finally being reunited with students in a classroom setting. I wish that same joy and excitement to every reader of this series. Many challenges lie ahead but by nature, teachers are resilient beings. You can do this.</p><p style="text-align: left;">In this little series of slides, I hit some of the basics of successfully resolving conflicts with students. </p><p style="text-align: left;">Hope this helps you have the BEST SCHOOL YEAR EVER!</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Kz7EwdTXAo/YSOiJ4uedrI/AAAAAAAADb4/7YUgudkDnkkwn3_7sU-bQK-zR5U45QaegCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8Kz7EwdTXAo/YSOiJ4uedrI/AAAAAAAADb4/7YUgudkDnkkwn3_7sU-bQK-zR5U45QaegCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r6OWuVQUgEc/YSOiObF0RWI/AAAAAAAADb8/Xy_feSkTtvslxB8SZhWS0qWG64zzOXMcACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-r6OWuVQUgEc/YSOiObF0RWI/AAAAAAAADb8/Xy_feSkTtvslxB8SZhWS0qWG64zzOXMcACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-puQDwuZz47c/YSOimgSpb3I/AAAAAAAADcM/msfdtfd64Y8oygJZIOGtw-94T1Fot6dpwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-puQDwuZz47c/YSOimgSpb3I/AAAAAAAADcM/msfdtfd64Y8oygJZIOGtw-94T1Fot6dpwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8hqZXvKy8zY/YSOip0Ca8KI/AAAAAAAADcQ/LlRqxpRBl-ws8OqYEz0B0Ad4YTKsEuNQQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8hqZXvKy8zY/YSOip0Ca8KI/AAAAAAAADcQ/LlRqxpRBl-ws8OqYEz0B0Ad4YTKsEuNQQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P1a1jmcgYqA/YSOiw6kjmEI/AAAAAAAADcY/mpMO14gvF5wqmXS4kkWtOISDqDv_cffdQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-P1a1jmcgYqA/YSOiw6kjmEI/AAAAAAAADcY/mpMO14gvF5wqmXS4kkWtOISDqDv_cffdQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-L3ohi20To1g/YSOi7B9hFFI/AAAAAAAADck/8pKTavVfI2MRpy9mQdXEF2Lo20AGMTGjwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4GpkvjuXT5s/YSOjItum1OI/AAAAAAAADc0/JfNTa-0TAKIIjmgQunu_bNBQMmxffnIDgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-f6FzPN95M/YSOjYohoukI/AAAAAAAADdI/pnY52bfNkcUaVXIC43pJRW5hXZ_WXUbdACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-J-f6FzPN95M/YSOjYohoukI/AAAAAAAADdI/pnY52bfNkcUaVXIC43pJRW5hXZ_WXUbdACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9hA8ERjKmq0/YSOje783AUI/AAAAAAAADdM/BhDlr8eSaLk5M9zkuzaf1r3o23BtL5HNACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9hA8ERjKmq0/YSOje783AUI/AAAAAAAADdM/BhDlr8eSaLk5M9zkuzaf1r3o23BtL5HNACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ezpu0qGjeEE/YSOjjGyOQGI/AAAAAAAADdQ/s8iVkpw-OCYlCi5il_9xWZPRn8rKlS8jQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ezpu0qGjeEE/YSOjjGyOQGI/AAAAAAAADdQ/s8iVkpw-OCYlCi5il_9xWZPRn8rKlS8jQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-3642971915910914552021-08-15T17:53:00.001-04:002021-08-15T17:53:17.894-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b> Part Nine of a Series Just for New teachers</b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><b>Let the Cause of the Misbehavior Guide Your Reaction</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In this series of posts, I offer suggestions to new teachers for ways to manage and support students who may be challenging, difficult, and disruptive. The suggestions here come from the presentations I made in pre-pandemic times when I was fortunate enough to spend days at a time working with rooms filled with teachers. I am looking forward to the time when we can all safely gather in large groups to share ideas and strategies again. However, until that time comes around, here is some information that may help you deal successfully with your students so that you and they can have a positive and productive school year.</span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">If you want to help students develop the behaviors that will allow them to succeed in school and to learn to self-regulate their actions, you first must consider what is causing them to choose the behaviors that they are exhibiting in your class. Here are are few suggestions for looking beyond the misbehavior to discover the cause that can eventually lead to a successful resolution of the problem.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0MUO4jWwKDQ/YRmLav1lU9I/AAAAAAAADaY/VCYOhKdpITQm-Jk3esWMHj1ioYV64dk_wCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="246" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0MUO4jWwKDQ/YRmLav1lU9I/AAAAAAAADaY/VCYOhKdpITQm-Jk3esWMHj1ioYV64dk_wCLcBGAsYHQ/w328-h246/image.png" width="328" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-okptnCLRM8Y/YRmLuGNPxuI/AAAAAAAADaw/sF8K2VEHtOIeOOv_eSV_u_uVhyupYpeZgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="248" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-okptnCLRM8Y/YRmLuGNPxuI/AAAAAAAADaw/sF8K2VEHtOIeOOv_eSV_u_uVhyupYpeZgCLcBGAsYHQ/w331-h248/image.png" width="331" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nm0MkCdvfoU/YRmL2Vg20SI/AAAAAAAADa0/nwVFMW3YUxEpEF9kgsRalPEkNalLBC9LwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="254" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Nm0MkCdvfoU/YRmL2Vg20SI/AAAAAAAADa0/nwVFMW3YUxEpEF9kgsRalPEkNalLBC9LwCLcBGAsYHQ/w339-h254/image.png" width="339" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wgjVAT7a6ps/YRmL6MmX21I/AAAAAAAADa8/Fa6LAh6cGKIumHlY8VpAnVBxIzVqW_EggCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="274" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wgjVAT7a6ps/YRmL6MmX21I/AAAAAAAADa8/Fa6LAh6cGKIumHlY8VpAnVBxIzVqW_EggCLcBGAsYHQ/w365-h274/image.png" width="365" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zDQNot6plQ/YRmL_O9mESI/AAAAAAAADbE/dH620g8GCiQzvYKxbtpc5gUOb1QhgS01ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--zDQNot6plQ/YRmL_O9mESI/AAAAAAAADbE/dH620g8GCiQzvYKxbtpc5gUOb1QhgS01ACLcBGAsYHQ/w391-h293/image.png" width="391" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></span><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-44060220445799833792021-08-08T12:38:00.002-04:002021-08-08T12:38:08.669-04:00<blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Part Eight of a Series Just for New Teachers</b></span></p></blockquote><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b> Some Suggestions for Successful Interventions</b></span></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the most difficult skills to develop as a new teacher is learning to intervene successfully when a student misbehaves. It is very easy to overreact or to react in anger and frustration or to just react without thinking through the end result of what your intervention could cause. The art of intervening effectively when there is a behavior incident takes time and practice and planning. Here are a few suggestions for how to think about making the kind of interventions that will make your classroom a peaceful and productive place for your students and for yourself. </span></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIxkaFDtWOg/YRABJQ9AaPI/AAAAAAAADZQ/Ak-OnJ7OjGgYxJYBB_hi96r8W3c19ZbmgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="283" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YIxkaFDtWOg/YRABJQ9AaPI/AAAAAAAADZQ/Ak-OnJ7OjGgYxJYBB_hi96r8W3c19ZbmgCLcBGAsYHQ/w377-h283/image.png" width="377" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">When a student misbehaves, it helps to think about the choices that you have when you intervene. There are really only two choices that you have once you decide not to ignore the problem and to take action. </span></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PkupvEB7xbQ/YRABOURTOnI/AAAAAAAADZU/bYesJ-c1t2w6v7GU94LvD7jhoipm_86HACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="279" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PkupvEB7xbQ/YRABOURTOnI/AAAAAAAADZU/bYesJ-c1t2w6v7GU94LvD7jhoipm_86HACLcBGAsYHQ/w372-h279/image.png" width="372" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Although you have two choices, it is important to be clear about when you want to act. Here are some easy guidelines to help you think through what to do. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E6dZLmDYzWI/YRABS0J6uNI/AAAAAAAADZY/dxD0M55pPjAs7GT6slNuhlYqw5S5ADRfQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="275" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E6dZLmDYzWI/YRABS0J6uNI/AAAAAAAADZY/dxD0M55pPjAs7GT6slNuhlYqw5S5ADRfQCLcBGAsYHQ/w366-h275/image.png" width="366" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here are some of the easiest mistakes to make (and to avoid) when you are enforcing consequences. The one that teachers have reported to me that they find the hardest to avoid is to waiting for a response. Issuing a directive and then waiting impatiently for a student to comply is not helpful. Instead, calmly state the consequence and then turn away--giving the student a moment or two to process the consequence, overcome reluctance, and then comply. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxqwTLLdR1Q/YRABYOYJaQI/AAAAAAAADZc/SK4KHsArRxgw5qHO6Y47vT_26wCyb_t_ACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="271" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BxqwTLLdR1Q/YRABYOYJaQI/AAAAAAAADZc/SK4KHsArRxgw5qHO6Y47vT_26wCyb_t_ACLcBGAsYHQ/w361-h271/image.png" width="361" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">One of the most effective tools that teachers have in enforcing consequences to to issue a warning. While warnings can be effective, they lose their power if they are overused. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-baV58wT01_g/YRABdJecB1I/AAAAAAAADZk/HrV1QAuLI-AIDfFo-rG61TSBORHw8-4NQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="269" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-baV58wT01_g/YRABdJecB1I/AAAAAAAADZk/HrV1QAuLI-AIDfFo-rG61TSBORHw8-4NQCLcBGAsYHQ/w359-h269/image.png" width="359" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Finally, one of the most frequently asked questions that teachers asked me in seminars was what to do when students don't seem to care about the consequences that they were given. Here are some questions to ask yourself if this happens in your classroom. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1euQDTrMwzY/YRABitbo2jI/AAAAAAAADZw/9-MGyH-cW8oGmjDBxBbReT8p6mRhGxjIACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="269" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1euQDTrMwzY/YRABitbo2jI/AAAAAAAADZw/9-MGyH-cW8oGmjDBxBbReT8p6mRhGxjIACLcBGAsYHQ/w359-h269/image.png" width="359" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-58917191845372998782021-08-03T18:23:00.002-04:002021-08-03T18:23:45.159-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Part Seven of a Series Just for New Teachers</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Think Through the Problem to Reduce the Tension</span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">In a continuing series designed with new teachers in mind, I've decided to share some slides from the seminars about how to successfully support and manage difficult and challenging students I presented pre-pandemic. In this week's post, I think it is first important to see the cycle that most classroom misbehavior follows so that you can figure out how to stop the cycle and get your students working successfully and productively. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Tuel7tJjNA/YQm-ijeapYI/AAAAAAAADYM/7WP3it8dToAZRHCXjsnFjnr8x7F79QWyACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="289" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3Tuel7tJjNA/YQm-ijeapYI/AAAAAAAADYM/7WP3it8dToAZRHCXjsnFjnr8x7F79QWyACLcBGAsYHQ/w401-h289/image.png" width="401" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the most important aspects of breaking the cycle of misbehavior comes from thinking through the reasons that a student would misbehave in your class. To do this, ask yourself what a student would gain from misbehavior and then consider all of the ways that you can satisfy that need for the student so that there would be no need for acting out. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pGozXfGfAEo/YQm-qYZ2zCI/AAAAAAAADYQ/WwbRiq34P2MbwlJ4ZP-jJdW2McoAD1wugCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="277" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-pGozXfGfAEo/YQm-qYZ2zCI/AAAAAAAADYQ/WwbRiq34P2MbwlJ4ZP-jJdW2McoAD1wugCLcBGAsYHQ/w381-h277/image.png" width="381" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">Another thing to consider when attempting to break the cycle is to stay in control of your emotions and to approach your students with a calm, matter-of-fact dignity. You can always vent your frustrations later in private, but forcing students to have to react to your loss of control will not be productive. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-seYvTbdj4M8/YQm-64mLN9I/AAAAAAAADYc/O1gMjPYqJi4eU2nrFeUhaSYCYoFNkCtIwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="269" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-seYvTbdj4M8/YQm-64mLN9I/AAAAAAAADYc/O1gMjPYqJi4eU2nrFeUhaSYCYoFNkCtIwCLcBGAsYHQ/w378-h269/image.png" width="378" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At times when I was speaking with groups of teachers who were having trouble with the behavior of a particularly disruptive student, we would talk about the various ways that a teacher could handle a student who was spiraling out of control. Here are a few suggestions. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OZIlgx5j4EM/YQm_CVLNd0I/AAAAAAAADYg/R6hYQKPCXqcmbIUmQ0wY5_28iMBHLivTwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="277" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OZIlgx5j4EM/YQm_CVLNd0I/AAAAAAAADYg/R6hYQKPCXqcmbIUmQ0wY5_28iMBHLivTwCLcBGAsYHQ/w360-h277/image.png" width="360" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Finally, think carefully about the timing of your interventions. Acting quickly can often keep small problems from exploding. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_87FcWrJMCc/YQm_NWQt1MI/AAAAAAAADYk/QLvZL3wiq0MM35HL2VQ2CbnetvpI9hgvgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="289" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-_87FcWrJMCc/YQm_NWQt1MI/AAAAAAAADYk/QLvZL3wiq0MM35HL2VQ2CbnetvpI9hgvgCLcBGAsYHQ/w342-h289/image.png" width="342" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-78071502403000403782021-07-25T17:45:00.002-04:002021-07-25T17:45:53.032-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Part Six of a Series Just for New Teachers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">How to Redirect Students Successfully</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of the most important ways to help all students--not just the difficult or challenging ones--succeed is to redirect their behavior just as soon as it begins to veer off course. Learning how to do this in such a way that your students can maintain their dignity, focus, and standing among their classmates is crucial to maintaining the classroom environment that you want for your students and for yourself. In the slides below (taken from the seminars that I presented pre-pandemic), you can find classroom-tested suggestions for successful redirections.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LkA39dzYysY/YP3aKFXhfjI/AAAAAAAADWM/4pK50pSyTHICWrtqjp7oStYqnwx7tioRQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LkA39dzYysY/YP3aKFXhfjI/AAAAAAAADWM/4pK50pSyTHICWrtqjp7oStYqnwx7tioRQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m-2xLPcZZhk/YP3aQEMmLcI/AAAAAAAADWQ/jNid3prdJZkfDOCjt7at7ja1V3tqOmYRgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-m-2xLPcZZhk/YP3aQEMmLcI/AAAAAAAADWQ/jNid3prdJZkfDOCjt7at7ja1V3tqOmYRgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91KdKcZ-LwQ/YP3aV191nKI/AAAAAAAADWU/cZu4G3KWAgs7Z0DE0N68Yn9Yg1UWbFJJgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-91KdKcZ-LwQ/YP3aV191nKI/AAAAAAAADWU/cZu4G3KWAgs7Z0DE0N68Yn9Yg1UWbFJJgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZYEFXoE7_8/YP3aedHGBqI/AAAAAAAADWc/rnaFWIfhGewPQlb_JYnE59vlobkHm7ouwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rZYEFXoE7_8/YP3aedHGBqI/AAAAAAAADWc/rnaFWIfhGewPQlb_JYnE59vlobkHm7ouwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDczCR5XZm0/YP3ao3_e6XI/AAAAAAAADWs/_h_w2vlir0UoyX255kgF7meV62UBBsOTQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bDczCR5XZm0/YP3ao3_e6XI/AAAAAAAADWs/_h_w2vlir0UoyX255kgF7meV62UBBsOTQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqJSPznijiA/YP3bAxOwC2I/AAAAAAAADXA/tpBltt0Ds8MotdrBy5JBzSqBRVkK-v0ggCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-UqJSPznijiA/YP3bAxOwC2I/AAAAAAAADXA/tpBltt0Ds8MotdrBy5JBzSqBRVkK-v0ggCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7PKWCjOZnA/YP3a4qPirlI/AAAAAAAADW4/nipXR8QZTCYVTZq51NyhQvbgVCedAkZ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-d7PKWCjOZnA/YP3a4qPirlI/AAAAAAAADW4/nipXR8QZTCYVTZq51NyhQvbgVCedAkZ0QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zXJTU3u8G6E/YP3bGmXXD1I/AAAAAAAADXE/13jX8PFjdQQODSWnd9Ctfx67rTKCCsK4gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zXJTU3u8G6E/YP3bGmXXD1I/AAAAAAAADXE/13jX8PFjdQQODSWnd9Ctfx67rTKCCsK4gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXzJjoqzsFc/YP3bMRWHuEI/AAAAAAAADXM/ycJL6iT8rhM7rn9Cp3D-KGV8Wqd9QJgQwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SXzJjoqzsFc/YP3bMRWHuEI/AAAAAAAADXM/ycJL6iT8rhM7rn9Cp3D-KGV8Wqd9QJgQwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-34110295466939832972021-07-20T17:59:00.006-04:002021-07-20T17:59:57.092-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Part Five of a Series Just for New Teachers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Prevention Is One Key to a Productive Classroom Atmosphere</span></p><p style="text-align: left;">Although difficult and challenging students can be found in every school setting, one of the most important hallmarks of a classroom where all students are supported and valued is that many possible problems have simply been prevented. Veteran teachers know that it is far easier to spend the time and effort necessary to prevent misbehavior rather than to have to cope with the stressful aftermath of a behavior incident. In the slides in this part of the series, you will find a variety of ways to prevent or at least mitigate classroom problems. </p><p style="text-align: left;">The first five slides below are self-explanatory suggestions for ways that you can help the students in your classroom succeed. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFnh5E4ADgE/YPdD-PTkImI/AAAAAAAADVI/NnRGx-za284m8xHSy-EKGh7Q8ap5ludMwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="280" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-YFnh5E4ADgE/YPdD-PTkImI/AAAAAAAADVI/NnRGx-za284m8xHSy-EKGh7Q8ap5ludMwCLcBGAsYHQ/w460-h280/image.png" width="460" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oY12OJaaGy8/YPdEHitKW5I/AAAAAAAADVM/he2W67opuBA6Zv4z69Qgc-7YUTWhiUJ4QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="299" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-oY12OJaaGy8/YPdEHitKW5I/AAAAAAAADVM/he2W67opuBA6Zv4z69Qgc-7YUTWhiUJ4QCLcBGAsYHQ/w447-h299/image.png" width="447" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0E9xIoQ9kmE/YPdEXJl_eRI/AAAAAAAADVY/sYWdx1YUnFsM64xF2zYNvKcYsYN2XjTZwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="305" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0E9xIoQ9kmE/YPdEXJl_eRI/AAAAAAAADVY/sYWdx1YUnFsM64xF2zYNvKcYsYN2XjTZwCLcBGAsYHQ/w433-h305/image.png" width="433" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rc1mqK6Hhjs/YPdEgEje3iI/AAAAAAAADVc/xzDpODEF5XIopM0180YcejNyx_uGu1Z3gCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Rc1mqK6Hhjs/YPdEgEje3iI/AAAAAAAADVc/xzDpODEF5XIopM0180YcejNyx_uGu1Z3gCLcBGAsYHQ/w425-h316/image.png" width="425" /></a></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGDEj3tVKYI/YPdEpyRl_BI/AAAAAAAADVk/vRyc1Eopi70mJdmLfs868mfgcn2d5e9ywCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="293" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZGDEj3tVKYI/YPdEpyRl_BI/AAAAAAAADVk/vRyc1Eopi70mJdmLfs868mfgcn2d5e9ywCLcBGAsYHQ/w412-h293/image.png" width="412" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although teaching equivalent replacement behaviors should also be an obvious solution to classroom management issues, it is often overlooked. Spend time throughout the school year teaching the behaviors that you want from your students. For example, instead of allowing students to congregate at the door to wait for class to end, take a few minutes to teach the behavior that you want to replace it. Instead of grumpily reminding students to not gather near the door, instead you could have them run through the procedures you have in place for ending class: stowing materials, packing up their belongings, picking up trash, etc. Or, instead of telling students to stop horseplay at the start of class, teach them the routines you want them to follow as they enter the room and settle into the day's work. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tt5gRhbb2Zo/YPdE1IvKW4I/AAAAAAAADVs/PiSo7oJWH5ERyFxtTBTWGBrL2KGNU2PwQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="337" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Tt5gRhbb2Zo/YPdE1IvKW4I/AAAAAAAADVs/PiSo7oJWH5ERyFxtTBTWGBrL2KGNU2PwQCLcBGAsYHQ/w418-h337/image.png" width="418" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-28332767585135854222021-07-12T17:08:00.002-04:002021-07-12T17:08:32.901-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"> Part Four of a Series Just for New Teachers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Solutions Begin When You Care Enough to Determine the Cause of the Problem</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">If you are reading this post, you may have also read the previous three posts in this series written to help new teachers successfully manage difficult and challenging students. In this week's topic, the importance of learning the causes of a student's misbehavior is the key to successfully resolving negative behavior issues.</p><p style="text-align: left;">When problems arise in any classroom, unless there is a sincere effort to determine the cause of the issue and not just force compliance, no real solution can be created. All too often, because of the rush of class business and the press of the responsibilities facing any classroom teacher, it is hard to find the time to investigate the cause of a student's behavior and to deal with it in a meaningful and lasting way. To streamline that process, it may help to consider some of the more common causes of student misbehavior. Here are some that may help you as you work to help your students succeed.</p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iPBP-qbZXcI/YOynJ7lkShI/AAAAAAAADTE/VH9GFRSC-NMQVX7vnDp-e9nnSwYEkmwKQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-iPBP-qbZXcI/YOynJ7lkShI/AAAAAAAADTE/VH9GFRSC-NMQVX7vnDp-e9nnSwYEkmwKQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: left;">Even though this is the first cause in a list of seven, defiance is a rare cause of classroom misbehavior. Usually the causes of misbehavior are more complex than just defiance. If your relationship with a student is so poor that the student does not <i>consistently</i> want to cooperate and does not care about your opinion, then it is important to mend that broken relationship as quickly as you can. A multi-faceted approach involving the caring adults in the misbehaving student's life is often the most successful path to reaching a productive understanding and creating a positive relationship. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PC_wvvkruxg/YOynQv9kC7I/AAAAAAAADTI/aIDhYqcfjhYqXpc0_vcPm_Og_dXncZAQQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PC_wvvkruxg/YOynQv9kC7I/AAAAAAAADTI/aIDhYqcfjhYqXpc0_vcPm_Og_dXncZAQQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">What often appears to be angry defiance is frustration. Spending extra time to make sure all students know what to do and how to do it well is worth the trouble.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BvjgW5ewDPs/YOynVkJCCYI/AAAAAAAADTM/nvMMxGd6Hgs9CEFPNm5eSWJMeUP4v0WlwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BvjgW5ewDPs/YOynVkJCCYI/AAAAAAAADTM/nvMMxGd6Hgs9CEFPNm5eSWJMeUP4v0WlwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Students are masterminds at finding gray areas to exploit. Gray areas occur when the classroom teacher has not planned for every possible thing that could go wrong. Examples would be the misbehavior that can occur when there is a substitute teacher in the room, when there are a few minutes of free time between activities, when directions are not clear, or when procedures are not carefully explained and implemented. Plan carefully and think through your class procedures. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8rl7gzPfkM/YOynZN4LE5I/AAAAAAAADTQ/fSI9IsG2T7olpg1TL3i0VrPolYGxRNJyQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-o8rl7gzPfkM/YOynZN4LE5I/AAAAAAAADTQ/fSI9IsG2T7olpg1TL3i0VrPolYGxRNJyQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Personality conflicts do occur with great regularity in every classroom. Do your best to prevent them with diligent attention to the social needs of your students, but accept that this type of conflict will occur. Deal with each one as it arises with sensitivity and tact to help the student move forward.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AORxW4v_MjA/YOyneB3H6PI/AAAAAAAADTU/sJZtVBycr3UtFrrAmHkWaz1NB63AjpiEACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-AORxW4v_MjA/YOyneB3H6PI/AAAAAAAADTU/sJZtVBycr3UtFrrAmHkWaz1NB63AjpiEACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">It is not acceptable to rely on negative consequences or vague threats to stop classroom misbehavior. Instead, use a broad range of motivational techniques that are more positive than negative. Students are far more likely to stay focused and to engage positively when they enjoy the class and the work they are assigned to do. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NP_RypDRjWY/YOynirCxVnI/AAAAAAAADTY/bGgq2yKT7BkibU89OaJ6zfUz6DzaYVmMwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NP_RypDRjWY/YOynirCxVnI/AAAAAAAADTY/bGgq2yKT7BkibU89OaJ6zfUz6DzaYVmMwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Social inclusion is one of the most important factors in helping students do well in school. Students who feel connected to school, to their teacher, their class, and their classmates tend to work harder and with more success because they feel that what they do matters. That they matter. Every student needs to feel liked and accepted by you and by their classmates. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yl6Nf8hImTw/YOynnhPlUbI/AAAAAAAADTg/FbmJMayD2FgkUc_ejc8CX14OMu8mo0NTQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yl6Nf8hImTw/YOynnhPlUbI/AAAAAAAADTg/FbmJMayD2FgkUc_ejc8CX14OMu8mo0NTQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: left;">Students are not born with good manners and school skills. Often, just a few minutes of conversation between a caring adult and a struggling student will make the difference when a student just does not understand what it acceptable behavior and what is not. Even if you spend time during the first weeks of school going over the behaviors that are okay for school, expect to have to review them periodically during the year--particularly after holidays or long weekends.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-2023844504383518972021-07-06T13:09:00.004-04:002021-07-06T13:09:39.166-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"> </p><p style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part Three of the Series Just for New Teachers</span></p><p style="background-color: #fff9ee; color: #222222; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, "Palatino Linotype", Palatino, serif; font-size: 15.4px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Successfully Support Difficult and Challenging Students</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">In an effort to help new teachers as classrooms are again filled with students as the pandemic crisis is beginning to abate, I've included some of the slides from one of my seminars designed to help teachers support difficult and challenging students. In Part Three, I want new teachers to look at some of the things that research tells us about students who as challenging and difficult. While drawing generalizations is not always the best way to approach any problem, the generalizations here may make it easier for you to see a student who may be disruptive and unruly in a different light--and thus make it possible for you to help that student succeed.</p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tvaBQdZ0Sao/YOSHWZxGpXI/AAAAAAAADRs/9MJNgWm9hoc7Et2gnUILqAzwDknysBFuwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tvaBQdZ0Sao/YOSHWZxGpXI/AAAAAAAADRs/9MJNgWm9hoc7Et2gnUILqAzwDknysBFuwCLcBGAsYHQ/w346-h240/image.png" width="346" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">If you've ever seen a student who misbehaves in your classroom behave well in another teacher's class, the truth of this slide is self-evident. When you can view all of your students in a positive and friendly manner, then you are on the way to solving any behavior issues that may arise. Keep in mind that difficult students tend to have big chips on their shoulders and often do their best to create those negative feelings that they are all too accustomed to from the adults that interact with them. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dt7wxJDVS20/YOSHamaR_VI/AAAAAAAADR0/Cc6yFjJPxFgTX5JX0dLu1cPPtP1Wkr8HwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Dt7wxJDVS20/YOSHamaR_VI/AAAAAAAADR0/Cc6yFjJPxFgTX5JX0dLu1cPPtP1Wkr8HwCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Of course, this is all too obvious. When students have work to do that they find interesting and manageable, they tend to focus on it instead of creating classroom chaos. Do your best to figure out the learning styles and learning needs of your students and design instruction that can make it easy for them to achieve success.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qeZsprm4C6U/YOSHfQlQbZI/AAAAAAAADR4/DNmBWGuaXiov04nY4SAtBpoqKiCeSbFawCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qeZsprm4C6U/YOSHfQlQbZI/AAAAAAAADR4/DNmBWGuaXiov04nY4SAtBpoqKiCeSbFawCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">While every student should be treated with respect and dignity, it is not always easy to keep this in mind when your own teacher frustration takes over. One of the worst mistakes that any teacher can make is to cause a child to be embarrassed. When a child is humiliated in class, not only will that child find it impossible to learn, but the desire to lash out at the adult to caused that humiliation will be firmly in place. Respect the privacy of all of your students when you are dealing with discipline issues--in particular, respect the privacy of the students who need it most--those who are accustomed to causing disruptions in class.</div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_E0wPrWElE/YOSH8M4u5rI/AAAAAAAADSI/VbGZrlPAbj4FlMrj1PzhDhgoYWqru6vlgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-q_E0wPrWElE/YOSH8M4u5rI/AAAAAAAADSI/VbGZrlPAbj4FlMrj1PzhDhgoYWqru6vlgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;">The students in your class are far more aware of your regard for them than you may be aware. If you have students who have a long history of disruptive behavior, then you can expect that they are experts at reading your body language--constantly on the lookout for anything that indicates that you do not like or value them. Be as glad to see the students who are causing you sleepless nights with their misbehavior as you are the more compliant students in your class. </p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZfeY9e-o61g/YOSIA8Xe4MI/AAAAAAAADSM/TjRte_phV54ce5QVaBXLeiYwsj-YHk2VgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ZfeY9e-o61g/YOSIA8Xe4MI/AAAAAAAADSM/TjRte_phV54ce5QVaBXLeiYwsj-YHk2VgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">It is not always easy to regard the troublemakers in your class as "fragile," but they are. Look beyond the tough and uncaring shells that difficult students arm themselves with to see the child who wants to succeed and be accepted.</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PYPyzbDO-o/YOSIHE0e3iI/AAAAAAAADSQ/GLVqJD3ZXlU4MALIUFsr37XW6tKdXo0kgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6PYPyzbDO-o/YOSIHE0e3iI/AAAAAAAADSQ/GLVqJD3ZXlU4MALIUFsr37XW6tKdXo0kgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;">Difficult students often act the way they do in an effort to hide their insecurities. They often lack school skills, social skills, or even basic manners. Yes, someone should have taught them these things before they were assigned to your class, but that didn't happen. It is up to you to make sure than the playing field is level. Model the courtesy and positive behaviors that you want from your students. Show them how to succeed--don't just cover the material. </div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NfaJnBRiFt4/YOSIKwQaBCI/AAAAAAAADSU/pLDtpb-bauYpH1rRbI24PzIpsT3KNGgbgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="240" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NfaJnBRiFt4/YOSIKwQaBCI/AAAAAAAADSU/pLDtpb-bauYpH1rRbI24PzIpsT3KNGgbgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><br /><br /><p></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-15394620190028626342021-06-26T11:01:00.006-04:002021-06-28T16:53:42.001-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Part Two of the Series Just for New Teachers</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">How to Successfully Support Difficult and Challenging Students</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></p><p style="text-align: left;">One of the most common problems faced by beginning teachers is the often perplexing problem of difficult and challenging students. Last week, in Part One, I covered some suggestions for avoiding classroom power struggles. In this part of the series, I want to provide some general suggestions to guide your thinking. </p><p style="text-align: left;">First, coping successfully with challenging students is not something that can usually be managed in a day or so. Difficult students did not develop their behaviors overnight. Generally, the behaviors that are not appropriate for a classroom setting are ones that students learned over a period of time. With that in mind, you will be more productive and far more likely to help these students if you take a measured, well-planned course of action. Take your time and help your students learn how to be successful rather that just insist on compliance. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DvMwcJvILiI/YNc9Upx13xI/AAAAAAAADQc/fw5rPU98UN0zFhpxp6Ly3zeWNCcQUsRqACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="282" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DvMwcJvILiI/YNc9Upx13xI/AAAAAAAADQc/fw5rPU98UN0zFhpxp6Ly3zeWNCcQUsRqACLcBGAsYHQ/w409-h282/image.png" width="409" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">There are all sorts of mistakes that it possible for even the most well-intentioned teacher to make with students who are struggling with school. If you find yourself having to deal with a disruptive student or two, you may want to consider if you have made of of the mistakes in this list below. Of these mistakes, perhaps the most common one is the last one--giving too much attention to students who are causing trouble in class. Instead of reacting in a negative way, ignore as much as you can and find ways to make these students feel that they are part of the class--not on the outside with nothing to lose. </p><p style="text-align: left;">When you look at this list, do you see your own classroom leadership style? Could you be adding to the problem?</p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HYoAdqrDcnU/YNc9b3aA-sI/AAAAAAAADQg/sH4ffLuPxgY5oQcsvI2TVmT8dbNw-1bfACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="327" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-HYoAdqrDcnU/YNc9b3aA-sI/AAAAAAAADQg/sH4ffLuPxgY5oQcsvI2TVmT8dbNw-1bfACLcBGAsYHQ/w443-h327/image.png" width="443" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">A final thought to help you with this issue is the biggest take away. Instead of being upset and negative and stressed out, adopt the attitude that classroom misbehavior is a problem that can be solved. You are no longer the victim of unruly students, but instead a classroom leader who is willing and capable of helping all students learn to manage their own behavior and succeed in your class. </div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JiCjJVoIoaY/YNc9iO09mNI/AAAAAAAADQk/ml40n1HEJrcAyY7a_n5vnUgbhKM-NaxuQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="284" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-JiCjJVoIoaY/YNc9iO09mNI/AAAAAAAADQk/ml40n1HEJrcAyY7a_n5vnUgbhKM-NaxuQCLcBGAsYHQ/w437-h284/image.png" width="437" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-49260487657603016662021-06-21T10:20:00.001-04:002021-06-21T15:14:53.596-04:00<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">A New Series Just for Beginning Teachers </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: left;">When the pandemic began, I had five upcoming speaking engagements that I was particularly looking forward to. At all of them, I would be helping groups of teachers figure out ways to deal successfully with their most challenging students so that those students could be successful classroom citizens. And, of course, my hope was that their teachers could also enjoy their profession more without the debilitating stress that accompanies trying to deal with unruly and difficult students.</p><p style="text-align: left;">The pandemic changed everything. </p><p style="text-align: left;">At home, I watched as teachers were hailed as heroes for the way they managed the incredible task of teaching kids during the pandemic lockdown. And not just teaching: seeing that their students were fed and cared for even when normal classroom support systems were not available. I watched with pride as teachers everywhere found the grace and patience to connect with their students in new ways. </p><p style="text-align: left;">And then that changed, too. With growing despair, I watched as teachers were vilified for not doing enough. NOT DOING ENOUGH? </p><p style="text-align: left;">Now there's the "surprising" news that there will be a record shortage of educators this fall. Of course, there will be. Incredibly difficult jobs + unrealistic expectations + stinking heaps of public criticism do not make make becoming an educator a popular career choice.</p><p style="text-align: left;">Old news, I know, to those of you who lived it. But, despite everything, better times lie ahead. I fully believe that. As the horrors of the pandemic begin to fade, education is still a worthy and personally fulfilling profession. You help people change their lives when you are an educator. </p><p style="text-align: left;">To help beginning teachers adjust to their new profession, I plan to publish some of the slides that I had prepared for my pre-pandemic presentation. My hope is to provide a weekly framework of suggestions to help new teachers find ways to support and work well with all of their students--not just the most difficult or challenging ones. </p><p style="text-align: left;">So, to start, here are a few thoughts about how to avoid one of the most common classroom problems: power struggles. </p><p style="text-align: left;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1GU6CL-WNFo/YNCWawa08bI/AAAAAAAADP0/2m02DHq09k8H5YHDVu5bz3jx3fA9CyVZQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="316" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1GU6CL-WNFo/YNCWawa08bI/AAAAAAAADP0/2m02DHq09k8H5YHDVu5bz3jx3fA9CyVZQCLcBGAsYHQ/w448-h316/image.png" width="448" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NSn_UzdaVzE/YNCV49_AipI/AAAAAAAADPk/6XCFE9z0wDgAe7Y5tgkLG3wkQ8NtSnwXgCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="300" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NSn_UzdaVzE/YNCV49_AipI/AAAAAAAADPk/6XCFE9z0wDgAe7Y5tgkLG3wkQ8NtSnwXgCLcBGAsYHQ/w468-h300/image.png" width="468" /></a></div><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ooiGR-MH0HE/YNCWJNuSD0I/AAAAAAAADPs/pDh5SBxb0aMQ-rvnC2WQNqEQwHLCVYlAQCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="317" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ooiGR-MH0HE/YNCWJNuSD0I/AAAAAAAADPs/pDh5SBxb0aMQ-rvnC2WQNqEQwHLCVYlAQCLcBGAsYHQ/w470-h317/image.png" width="470" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5nkdwO7iXkk/YNCVB1qkK0I/AAAAAAAADPI/Nb1e98EXqqsEZz1a8La0ZNCJ5IQbiVqCACLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="337" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-5nkdwO7iXkk/YNCVB1qkK0I/AAAAAAAADPI/Nb1e98EXqqsEZz1a8La0ZNCJ5IQbiVqCACLcBGAsYHQ/w484-h337/image.png" width="484" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCeu5xrSgQE/YNCVQwUgkXI/AAAAAAAADPQ/s6zx1iFTYgEvm2AbDECDZNIoGBFeE1b2QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="323" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-qCeu5xrSgQE/YNCVQwUgkXI/AAAAAAAADPQ/s6zx1iFTYgEvm2AbDECDZNIoGBFeE1b2QCLcBGAsYHQ/w476-h323/image.png" width="476" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kft1X_A5Sbc/YNCU2NNFbWI/AAAAAAAADPE/XIzt1CazTjQLo5qCPGg9arEJwuh0zm96QCLcBGAsYHQ/image.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="382" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kft1X_A5Sbc/YNCU2NNFbWI/AAAAAAAADPE/XIzt1CazTjQLo5qCPGg9arEJwuh0zm96QCLcBGAsYHQ/w509-h382/image.png" width="509" /></a></p>Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-6053845612027489762020-07-20T10:34:00.000-04:002020-07-20T10:34:54.922-04:00For New Teachers Who Are Teaching In-Person Classes: Some Commonsense Suggestions for the Start of the School Year<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vl9yLgcyimg/XxWqws770_I/AAAAAAAADCw/imDEatvjNyIYSItB5t5XjEIifpCeUitzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/earth-1990298__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="642" height="169" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vl9yLgcyimg/XxWqws770_I/AAAAAAAADCw/imDEatvjNyIYSItB5t5XjEIifpCeUitzwCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/earth-1990298__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a new teacher, the start of your first year of teaching
is often an exciting and anxious time for many reasons. This year is no
exception. Already the start of the 2020-2021 school year is fraught with
enough stressful decisions to daunt even the most steadfast of educators.
Whether you are teaching online or in a hybrid situation or in a classroom,
this school year requires a great deal of planning and commitment. When you factor out divisive politics and all
the other strife associated with starting this school year, there is room for what
teachers do so well: make sound decisions based on common sense and the need to
support all students. This is particularly true for teachers who are teaching
in-person classes. As a first-year teacher, while this may not be the start of
the career that you have dreamed of, there are several things that you can do
to make sure that you and your students start the school year in a positive and
effective way. While this is by no means a comprehensive list, it can serve as
a start to help you think through how to manage some of the challenges ahead.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take time to completely familiarize yourself with the
reopening guidelines of your school, your district, and your state. Search
their websites carefully. Pay careful attention to what is expected of you this
year as well as what is expected of students and their parents and guardians. In
particular, spend time educating yourself about classroom safety procedures.
Knowing what to do will make it easier for you to feel more confident about how
you will handle the new school year as well as how to keep your students and
yourself safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s important to plan for student misbehavior and
noncompliance related to the health and safety of all students. Talk with other
educators about the best practices in your school concerning students who test
the boundaries of social distancing or mask wearing or other safety issues
related to the pandemic. A united approach will make it much easier to enforce the
guidelines established by your district and school.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although you may have learned many innovative learning
strategies while you were training to become an educator, be careful to only
implement those that meet the health and safety guidelines of your district and
school. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As you learn more about your daily schedule, plan how you
will make it as easy as possible for your students to follow classroom rules
and procedures. What can you do to streamline routines and procedures? What can
you do to ensure students understand both the positive and negative
consequences of their behavior? And how
can you build a relationship with each student so that your classroom
environment is safe and productive?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Plan, too, how you will present yourself to your students.
The best teachers adopt a deliberate attitude of warmth and caring paired with
a no-nonsense expectation of effort and mutual respect. Spend time
brainstorming different ways to project this attitude so that your students
will know that you care about them, but that you expect positive behavior from
them. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Streamline and simplify your classroom and your professional
life. For example, even though you may have dreamed for years of the perfect classroom, it’s more important this year to keep the focus on learning and
safety. Being organized and purposeful will help you accomplish all that you need to do. Keep things as simple as possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maintain a transparent classroom by reaching out to the
parents and guardians of your students frequently. While it may take extra time
to do this, the rewards will make your effort worth the trouble as you create an
effective partnership to keep everyone safe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Allow more time than usual for students to
adjust to being in a classroom again. It will take a while to get your students
acclimated to being in a classroom and working productively. It is reasonable
to expect that many students will be anxious and will act out. It is also
reasonable to expect that there will be deficits in previous learning. Be patient with them and reteach as
often as necessary.</span></span></div>
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-21921171054609141012020-05-06T12:41:00.000-04:002020-05-06T12:41:07.186-04:00Things I Wish I Had Known as a New Teacher<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Some
things never change. Even though I have posted this list before and shared
about a zillion times when people email me requesting a copy, the advice in it
still could make a difference for a new teacher.<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It never hurts to know that you are not alone with your
worries when you are just starting out in a new career.</span></div>
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<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t be afraid to experiment and
have fun learning with your students. It’s okay to fail sometimes.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Realize that you will have to
prove yourself all year long. To students, colleagues, parents, yourself…</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Being regarded as trustworthy is
an invaluable goal.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There will be plenty of
opportunities to learn from mistakes.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you don’t spend time reflecting
on your teaching each day, it will be very hard for you to improve.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There will never be enough time to
get all of the things you want to accomplish with your students done.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s important to think about
student activities in terms of small blocks of time so they stay on task.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Leave your problems at school at
the end of the day. Balance is key.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It’s important to show students
how to help themselves. Learned helplessness does not have to be
permanent.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take good care of school resources
and teach students to do the same.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use your personal strong points
and teach your students to do the same.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be selective. Don’t fight battles
you can’t win. Ignore the small stuff.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Focus on what you can change and
get then get busy doing it.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use a multifaceted approach when
presenting material.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t just react to a problem.
Solve it.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">It takes time to get to know your
students and even longer to gain their fragile trust.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make it a point to build strong
relationships with your colleagues. You need each other.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Parents do indeed expect you to
live up to their ideal of what a teacher should be.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">If you act like a professional,
you will make it easier for others to defend you when you make a mistake.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paperwork must be dealt with
accurately, quickly, and efficiently. </span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Patience. Patience. Patience.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You are a role model, ready or
not.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you teach students to believe
in themselves, you create lifelong learners.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t allow any student to be
invisible. Draw them in. Build confidence and engagement.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Establish routines for yourself
and for your students. Everyone will benefit.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students need structure. They also
need fun and creativity.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Get them up and moving. Active
students tend to misbehave less than those who are bored.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be prepared for class. This means
having a solid Plan B.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spend more time telling your
students what they do right than what they do wrong.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When you make a mistake, admit it
and move on. Teach your students this, too.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Be unfailingly positive. After
all, if you don’t believe in your students, who does?</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Students are far more concerned
with the idea of “fairness” than you can imagine.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set goals for yourself and work
with your students to set goals for them.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Stay away from those negative
colleagues. They will poison your day, your week, your career.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask for help. We all need help at
times. Speak up.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Actively work to improve your
skills and knowledge about teaching.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Create your own PLN. Use social
media to connect with other educators.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Volunteer for extra jobs at school
with caution. </span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Work hard to let your students
know how special they are to you.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The worst students deserve the
best from you.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No student comes to school
determined to fail (and to make your life unpleasant)—despite evidence to
the contrary.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You will make a difference in the
lives of your students…it takes time, however.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask, “How can I help you with
that?” and watch the magic happen.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Say, “I know you’re better than
that” when a student misbehaves.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You will have some hard days as a
teacher. Have a plan ready to help manage stress.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You can’t ever predict how a
lesson will go or what your students will do.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Laughing with students is a great
way to build a community in a hurry.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Connections with students are
vital if you want to have happy days at school.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">A well-planned lesson is the best
discipline plan you can have.</span></li>
<li style="color: black; font-size: 11pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; line-height: 13pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "&quot",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Never, ever forget that you may be
the only person who shows a student that you care.</span></li>
</ol>
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-11041369103978758112020-03-01T10:30:00.001-05:002020-03-01T10:30:52.967-05:00So, You Have a Talkative Class?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hOfuWCIfHM/XlvU4uOEsWI/AAAAAAAAC4A/Ov3VDg5S92Ullfu43EzM2CLbAg4zDSEpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/road-sign-663368__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="480" height="282" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6hOfuWCIfHM/XlvU4uOEsWI/AAAAAAAAC4A/Ov3VDg5S92Ullfu43EzM2CLbAg4zDSEpwCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/road-sign-663368__340.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of the most frustrating feelings that any teacher can experience is the
hopelessness that comes when students are so busy talking that they don't pay
attention to directions or work productively. Unfortunately, having a class
that is excessively talkative is one of the most frequent complaints that many
teachers--experienced and novice alike-- share. It is disheartening at best to
plan a wonderful lesson that no student can stop talking long enough to become
interested in. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The
problem of the talkative class is also one that is amazingly uniform across all
grade levels and subjects. Large classes, small classes, very young students
and sophisticated seniors can all be so talkative that little learning can
occur. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Luckily,
there are a few easy approaches that can help students take charge of their own
talking patterns and learn to work well with each other and with you. Try some
of these to help control the talking in your classroom.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be emphatic
with your students when you speak with them about this problem. You should make
it very clear when it is okay for them to talk and when you want them to work
silently. If you are clear in communicating your expectations to your students,
they will not repeatedly test<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">your tolerance.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Avoid the
sound-wave effect of a loud class time followed by a quiet one followed by a
loud one again. Be consistent in the way you enforce the rules in your class
about excessive talking. Teachers who aren’t consistent spend their time
getting a class quiet, allowing the noise level to build to an intolerable
level, and then getting the class quiet again in an endless and ineffective
cycle.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">you</i> are the problem. When your students
are working quietly and productively on an assignment, don’t keep talking to
the class in general. When you repeatedly interrupt their work by distracting
them with your own conversation, you make it harder for your students to work
quietly.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Begin every
class with an activity that will focus your students’ attention on the work
they will be doing. This focusing activity will help them make a transition
from the casual chatting they may have done on the way to your class to the
purposeful work that you want them to begin.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teach your
students that they must be responsible for their talking if you do not want to
spend all class period “shushing” them. Use positive peer pressure to help them
monitor each other’s behavior so that your own monitoring efforts will be more
effective.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Direct their
conversation if you have a group that likes to talk. Get them talking
productively about the lesson. If you are successful at doing this, their need
to interact with each other and your need to have them master the material will
both be satisfied.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Try to figure
out why they are talking excessively so that you can turn this problem into an
advantage. They may be talkative because they are excited, friendly, in need of
more challenging work, unsure of the limits that you’ve set, or many other
reasons.</span></div>
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<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If your
students tend to talk when they have finished an assignment and are waiting for
others to finish, sequence your instruction so that there is always an
overlapping activity for your students to begin right away. </span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes
when students are very excited, allow them to spend a minute or two talking
about it to clear the air so that they can focus on their work. Be clear in
setting time limits when you do this.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stay on your
feet when your class has a problem with talking. Eye contact, proximity, and
other nonverbal cues will help. Persistent and careful monitoring will
encourage students to stay focused on their work rather than on conversation.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">During a
movie or oral presentation when students may talk instead of listen, prevent
this by giving them an activity to do. Students who are taking notes or filling
out a worksheet will not have time for chatter.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the noise
level is too loud, give students quiet activities that require they write or
read independently. These assignments should be designed to interest them, not
just keep the class busy.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shifting
gears from one activity to another is difficult for many students. Make
transition times as efficient as possible in your class to avoid this problem.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If the entire
class persists in having a problem with excessive talking, chart their behavior
for them to see tangible evidence of it. Create a bar graph each day where you
rank their success at managing their problem with talking on a scale of 1 to
10. Sometimes students are not aware of the severity of a problem until they
can see it in a format such as this.</span></div>
<br />
<div align="left" style="line-height: 150%; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: left; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; line-height: 150%; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Move students
who talk too much away from each other. Placing one of them near where you
spend most of your time will help your monitoring efforts.</span></div>
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<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-83126036879671563902020-02-12T12:26:00.000-05:002020-02-12T12:26:36.679-05:00In a Slump? Thirty Ways to Energize Your Teaching<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0AFlLgsy4/XhUJm3ofJ3I/AAAAAAAAC0k/rQXFrM2i_acKKtm2LR2q59Rovh3Pxua0QCPcBGAYYCw/s1600/door-672999__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="790" height="137" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0AFlLgsy4/XhUJm3ofJ3I/AAAAAAAAC0k/rQXFrM2i_acKKtm2LR2q59Rovh3Pxua0QCPcBGAYYCw/s320/door-672999__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"></span></b><br /></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even the most dedicated teacher
can fall into a slump from time to time. Certain times of the year—a long
winter, the days before an extended holiday, or even the last few weeks before
the end of the year—seem to be easy times for anyone to find the daily grind of
teaching stresses tedious. When you are aware that this is happening to you,
it’s time to take action to make sure that your students learn the material
that they need to learn and that you can have the productive classroom
environment that you want for your students and for yourself. In the following
list, you will find thirty simple ways to replace the negative feelings induced
by a teaching slump with the positive energy that can help your students enjoy
school as they learn to be successful students. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Spend your energy on large
problems first and allot less of your energy for the small ones. Choose to deal
with the problems that will give you the greatest benefit right away. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Make it your goal that every
student will leave your class with a positive attitude every day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Keep things in perspective. Ask
yourself if the problems you have today will be important next year.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Change the pace. Try three new
activities this week.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Increase the ways that you ask
students to respond nonverbally. Instead of shouting from their seats, they can
hold up cards or give a thumbs up sign.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Plan to ignore the small stuff.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When a task seems impossible,
remind yourself of the teachers who made a difference in your life. You can do
the same for your students.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Empower your students by
designing assignments that allow for limited student options. Give
them innocuous choices such as the even or odd problems, essay topics,
group tasks, or the best day to take a test. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You probably need to model more
for your students. Most teachers do. And don’t forget to show them what you<i>
don’t </i>want them to do, also.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Ask students to justify their
answers on a test to encourage deeper thinking. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">11.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Let your students know what
activities lie ahead of them so that they have something to look forward to.
Try a little countdown to an exciting event to focus them on the positive.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">12.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Encourage independence! Tell
your students that they must “See three before me” to find answers to
questions.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">13.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">At the end of a lesson,
encourage reflection (and positive attitudes) by asking students to tell you
what went well during class. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">14.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Build in wiggle breaks. Even older
students need a break now and then. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">15.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When students are engaged in
learning new material, periodically ask them to stop and write about these three
topics: what they think about the subject so far, what they understand about
the subject, and any questions they still may have.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">16.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Don’t work against the nature of
your students. Make the material compelling by incorporating their interests
and goals. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">17.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Put some color in your classroom
world. Break out the crayons or highlighters to help students pay attention to
what’s important in their notes.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">18.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Paraphrasing is a helpful
gateway to other skills. Put students in pairs and ask them to paraphrase
material. Then that pair can share their paraphrase with another pair. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">19.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Avoid problems when students
finish work early by having other activities for them to complete. Students
with nothing to do will amuse themselves by annoying nearby adults.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">20.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Increase the frequency of the
positive recognition you give students. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">21.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Display student work. Rewarding
students in this way is worth the time it takes to arrange it.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">22.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Pose a question of the week that
is related to the material you are studying but that students need to research
independently. Reward the student with the best answer with a little tangible
reward.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">23.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Set a concrete goal with your
students: 100% on every quiz, everyone on time for a week, all homework
complete... Use a bar graph to illustrate their progress.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">24.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Graphic organizers are wonderful
ways to engage students. Busy students are happy students and happy students
make happy teachers.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">25.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use a variety of media to
capture your audience--movies, art, wikis, songs, podcasts, television,
interactive game sites, magazines, advertisements, cartoons, and slogans are
just a few of the ways that you can capture attention.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">26.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When they ask, “Why do we have
to do this?” be sure to have an excellent answer ready.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">27.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Use your student’s competitive
instincts to your advantage. Create teams to compete against other teams. Best
of all, challenge your students to compete against themselves by working to
improve their own best performance.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">28.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Work with your students to set
personal long- and short-term goals for themselves. They will work harder with
a clear focus for their work.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">29.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Take photographs of your
students. Be thrifty and print them out on paper. Your students just want to
see themselves on the classroom wall.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">30.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="color: #444444; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Schedule in some fun every
day--for you and for your students. Smile together and misbehavior will
decrease.</span></div>
<br />
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-13769938320546140502020-01-18T13:28:00.000-05:002020-01-18T13:28:22.378-05:00Help Your Students Learn to Work Well Together<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBsxNANDQ0M/XiNN-S6QzxI/AAAAAAAAC1E/qSfAPrrDfaAxp1sR_MtMuZp-xnRHm_mKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/pexels-photo-1148998.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="333" data-original-width="500" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LBsxNANDQ0M/XiNN-S6QzxI/AAAAAAAAC1E/qSfAPrrDfaAxp1sR_MtMuZp-xnRHm_mKgCLcBGAsYHQ/s320/pexels-photo-1148998.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is necessary for teachers to make it possible for students to work well
together—an undertaking requiring diplomacy as well as consistent effort on
your part. Social inclusion is such a vital aspect of any student’s life that
the effort can often result in beneficial dividends for everyone in the
classroom. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One
of the most important ways to make sure all students feel that they are valued
members of a class is to work to remove the barriers to social acceptance that
may exist among them. For example, students could feel excluded because they do
not know their classmates. It is a mistake to assume that students know each
other well. Even students who have attended school together for several years
may not know much about their classmates.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
barrier may occur because students may live in different neighborhoods. If you
teach in a school where students may live at a distance or come from very
diverse neighborhoods, it is likely that they have not had many opportunities
to interact with each other outside of school.</span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">In
addition, students who have not been taught how to behave courteously or who
have not learned socially acceptable ways to resolve conflict often struggle to
form appropriate relationships with their peers. Helping everyone learn how to
interact in an acceptable, courteous manner will take time and consistent
effort on your part. </span></div>
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<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Perhaps
the greatest barrier that you will have to help your students overcome is the
perception that they may not have much in common with a classmate whom they do
not know well. With effort and persistence, you can assist students in learning
to recognize their commonalities so that they can learn to accept and support
each other. Use the tips in the list that follows to guide you as you work to
help students remove the barriers to peer acceptance.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make sure that each student’s strengths are
well known to the rest of the class. </span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If a student has an unpleasant history of
failure or misbehavior, make it clear that it is time for a fresh start and
that you are providing that opportunity.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Show your students the correct ways to
interact with each other. Teach courtesy. It will not take long before students
become aware of the expectations that you have for acceptable behavior. They
need plenty of models and monitoring until they have learned to cooperate
productively.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Let each student shine. Every student should
believe that he or she is really your favorite.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be sensitive to the differences that divide
your students and to the potential for conflict that those differences can
cause. It may take a while until you get to know your students well enough to
be aware of the social differences that exist among them, but vigilance on your
part will make it easier to help students learn to work together well. </span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make it a point to recognize students who work
well with others. Whenever possible, praise the entire class for its
cooperative attitude.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Provide opportunities for students to get to
know each other. These do not have to take up a great deal of time, but can be
done in brief activities scattered throughout the year.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Plan enough work for your students to do so
that they are focused on instruction and don’t have time to discover their
classmates’ negative character traits.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Promote tolerance and acceptance with a
display of posters, bulletin board displays, and encouraging mottoes.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Encourage students to share experiences and
personal information about their family, culture, and goals while working with
each other.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make it very easy for students to understand
class routines and procedures and to follow directions well. Students who know
what to do are less likely to make embarrassing mistakes for which they can be
teased or excluded later.</span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Be careful that you model appropriate behavior
frequently, thereby encouraging your students to do the same. </span></div>
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<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t give in to the temptation of rolling
your eyes or losing your patience when a student blunders in front of
classmates. Your actions could set that student up for social exclusion later.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-88053487876198133002020-01-07T17:46:00.000-05:002020-01-07T17:46:02.622-05:00If Students Planned the Lesson...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0AFlLgsy4/XhUJm3ofJ3I/AAAAAAAAC0g/kAxojyugxKoHiGwYW-lwkDYuqmx9i3kVwCEwYBhgL/s1600/door-672999__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="790" height="137" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tg0AFlLgsy4/XhUJm3ofJ3I/AAAAAAAAC0g/kAxojyugxKoHiGwYW-lwkDYuqmx9i3kVwCEwYBhgL/s320/door-672999__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If
you were to plug “Great Lesson Plans,” into just about any search engine, all
sorts of useful information for teachers immediately pops up. Instead of going
online, though, how about thinking about a great lesson from a student’s
viewpoint? One good way to find out what students really want is to simply ask
them how they would like to learn the day’s material. Or, administer a quick
survey (www.surveymonkey.com). Solicit advice via exit tickets or suggestions
dropped into a suggestion box. All of these are good ways to find out what your
students would like to do in class. Even without that useful feedback,
however, it is possible to anticipate the elements of a lesson that students
would include. Here are some of the essentials that many students would
probably like to see included in a student-created lesson plan.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">An opening exercise that allows them to
chatter away while making the transition to the day’s lesson. The exercise
should also be interesting while reminding them of what they already know.
Something like a Round Robin or brief discussion, for example. </span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Silly videos related to the topic are always a
plus. Even better are student-made videos. </span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Games of just about any sort—low or high tech.
Board games are always good no matter what. Student made board games are the most
engaging. </span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Any game that requires players to roll dice is
immediately a huge (and noisy) success.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The perfect student lesson plan will certainly
include sharing, collaboration, or teamwork in every possible permutation.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Students like questions that they can answer
with relative ease. This sets the stage for activities where they quiz each
other. They would also choose to hold competitions where they can answer as a
team and not be put on the spot individually.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Beating the clock is always fun. So is setting
a personal best goal and working towards it. </span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One predictable student preference is being
able to shift partners during an activity or switching teams in the course of a
lesson. Movement instead of remaining seated all class keeps everyone alert.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Music of all kinds. Student performances. Background
music. Headphones. Music adds a layer of enjoyment to almost any type of
instruction.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A countdown to something is always fun. Not a
frantic, frenzied race, but a countdown that focuses an activity—such as an
online countdown clock to an activity.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Students like learning something interesting
or peculiar so that they have a good answer to, “What did you learn in school
today?” They also like learning interesting and peculiar information just
because it’s fun to think about. Weird facts are always fun to know.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Students enjoy an opportunity to write on
something besides notebook paper. The more outrageous the surface the better.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If students were to design a lesson, there
would be lots of gaudy coloring. Students would be writing on the board more,
too.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If there is a lesson with a reading component,
students would probably design it in such a way that classmates read it
together—and not in that embarrassing popcorn style either, but with friends or
friendly teammates to share the reading load.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There would also be a component where students
do something to help someone else. Whether it be playing an altruistic game
such as Free Rice (www.freerice.com), or just helping out classmates, students
like to feel that their contributions to the world matter.</span></div>
<div style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having several choices of meaningful and
interesting activities to do in a reasonable amount of time would also be part
of a student-designed lesson plan. Having a free choice among the choices is
even more interesting for some students.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Manipulatives, three-D graphic organizers,
paper airplanes, and squishy toys are almost mandatory in student-designed
lessons. Rubber bands and paper clips would also find a way to be included as
well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Finally, in the ideal lesson designed by
students, any homework would be something that fits in with their out-of-school
lives and interests and can be done simply—without fuss—and in just the right
amount of time. </span></div>
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-59588481927983146112019-12-30T10:00:00.000-05:002019-12-30T10:00:05.268-05:00How to Help Students Adjust after Winter Break<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><b>I first published this post in 2015 and from the responses then and in the years since, it still resonates with many caring educators. Here it is again with best wishes and hope that the new year (new decade!) will begin successfully for you and your students.<span style="font-size: x-large;"></span></b></span></div>
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For many students, returning to school from the long winter break is not an easy transition. Staying up late, sleeping in, unstructured time, family stresses, or holiday travel can all make it hard for students to return to school ready to work productively. You can expect to see students who are tired, cranky, and just not as cooperative as usual because their normal schedules have been disrupted.</div>
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Experienced teachers know helping students readjust to their school routines requires understanding, patience, and a solid plan to make that first day back as pleasant as possible for everyone involved. Here are a few brief suggestions to smooth the reentry process for your students.</div>
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If you have a class website or group email system so that you can contact your students, consider sending an upbeat message a day or two in advance of their return. Remind students about the materials that they will need to bring to class as well as other relevant information to make the transition back to school life easier. </div>
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Think back to the first day of school and the techniques you used then to make your students feel welcomed into your class. After all, returning after a long break is really just a mini-first day of school. Adjust as needed, but consider incorporating some of those same techniques to let your students know that you are glad to see them. Take the time to reconnect with each student so that they know that they are a valued member of the class and that their well-being is important to you.</div>
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Have extra books, papers, pens, and other materials on hand for those students who lost the habits of organization during the break.</div>
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If your students are old enough to communicate well by writing, pass out small slips of paper or note cards and ask students to tell you about their holiday in one hundred words or less. You can gain some valuable insights into their time away from school with this brief activity.</div>
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Have students use a checklist to work through the normal class routines on the first day. This will not only remind them of what they need to do, but will also get them back into the habit of working in a purposeful manner. Delivering a flurry of verbal directions will only stress everyone out.</div>
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Plan activities that are pleasant, but fairly low-key. Brief games, review activities, pair shares, small group discussions, and other similar strategies are ones that can gradually and successfully reintroduce students to class routines without creating more stress.</div>
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Photographing or videoing students on the first day of class in the new year is also a good way to celebrate the milestone together. Print on ordinary copy paper and display in the classroom or share on a class website or in a class newsletter. </div>
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Take advantage of the time of year as you plan the day’s lessons. Ask students to make predictions about the year ahead or to share their new resolutions. You could even develop class resolutions such as setting a goal for homework completion, improved study habits, or making sure the room is tidy at the end of the day. </div>
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Allow time for students to visit with each other and to catch up with each other’s personal news. While this can be done as a whole group activity, small groups really work best as students can engage meaningfully with each other. You could offer open-ended questions for everyone to discuss as conversation starters: What is your favorite memory of 2019? What do you want to do in 2020? If you could change the world in 2020, where would you begin?</div>
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-85128989842638042322019-12-28T12:52:00.002-05:002019-12-28T12:52:52.776-05:00 2019 Honors<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huXI3-U7d1Y/XgeV88DOJxI/AAAAAAAACz4/T3IUq_p29gUSmGu0BhIVG1okZGBIpWoRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/apple-256261__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="513" height="265" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-huXI3-U7d1Y/XgeV88DOJxI/AAAAAAAACz4/T3IUq_p29gUSmGu0BhIVG1okZGBIpWoRgCLcBGAsYHQ/s400/apple-256261__340.jpg" width="400" /></a></h2>
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I've long been a fan of the extensive website for educators, Share My Lesson. An offshoot of the American Federation of Teachers organization, SML offers a wealth of resources for educators everywhere. From blogs on myriad topics, webinars for PD credit, curated lessons contributed by site partners and members, as well as classroom-tested lesson plan collections, Share My Lesson makes it easy for educators to connect with valuable, high quality<b></b> information in an easy-to-use format. </div>
<span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span><span style="color: #000120;">I'm thrilled and humbled to announce that three of my Share My Lesson blog posts have made it into the top blogs list for 2019!</span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;">Here they are:</span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;"># 9: It's Not Too Late to Create, Teach, and Enforce Classroom Rules</span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;">#4: Five Classroom Procedures to Make Your Classroom Life Easier</span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;">#3: Classroom Discipline Problems: Ten Mistakes You Could Be Making</span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;">To access these blogs and all of the other 2019 winning blogs, just click here: </span><br />
<span style="color: #000120;"><a href="https://sharemylesson.com/collections/free-lesson-plan-templates-top-resources-2019#top-2019-free-lessons-blogs">https://sharemylesson.com/collections/free-lesson-plan-templates-top-resources-2019#top-2019-free-lessons-blogs</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #000120;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #000120;">In addition, my webinar,<i> How to Work Successfully with Defiant Students,</i> was voted as the #2 most popular webinar in the entire Share My Lesson collection of webinars! This free and on demand presentation is available for you right now. Just click on the link here:</span><br />
<a href="https://sharemylesson.com/collections/free-lesson-plan-templates-top-resources-2019#top-2019-free-lessons-webinars" target="_blank">https://sharemylesson.com/collections/free-lesson-plan-templates-top-resources-2019#top-2019-free-lessons-webinars</a><br />
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<a href="https://sharemylesson.com/teaching-resource/how-work-successfully-defiant-students-webinar-308957" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; box-sizing: border-box; color: white; font-family: &quot; font-size: 18px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: uppercase; transition-delay: 0s, 0s, 0s, 0s; transition-duration: 0.3s, 0.3s, 0.3s, 0.3s; transition-property: background-color, border, color, opacity; transition-timing-function: ease-in-out, ease-in-out, ease-in-out, ease-in-out; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">H</a></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-90991723943456851942019-12-02T08:35:00.001-05:002019-12-02T08:35:40.832-05:00Use Your Teacher Voice<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYY_R30QhU/XeUS6waPwiI/AAAAAAAACyM/AQjtfzi8gvo9LlI-amEPKGoRCop3WWfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/th%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="267" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kVYY_R30QhU/XeUS6waPwiI/AAAAAAAACyM/AQjtfzi8gvo9LlI-amEPKGoRCop3WWfmwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/th%2B%25287%2529.jpeg" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What teachers say to students has more power
than anyone can possibly imagine. It's not always easy to remember the powerful
effect of a teacher’s words when a student is defiant or rude or determined to
hinder others from learning, but it is important to never forget this inherent
power.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The words you use when you speak with your
students and the way you express yourself are just some of the tools you have
to use when creating a strong bond with them. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There are very few rules about how you should
speak to your students. The age and maturity level of your students will guide
how you speak. For example, it is usually a serious offense for a teacher in an
elementary classroom to tell students to shut up. In a high school classroom,
this phrase is not as serious; it is merely rude. You should avoid using it,
however, because there are more effective ways to ask students to stop talking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Kind words spoken in a gentle voice make it
much easier for your students to connect with you. If you say something unkind
to a student, it will hurt even more than an insult from a peer because it is
from someone the student should be able to count on. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The one language mistake you should never make
is to swear when you are with your students. When you do this, you cross the
line of what is acceptable and what is not. If you are ever tempted to swear
around your students, remember that teachers have been fired for swearing at
students. If a word slips out, you should immediately apologize to your
students, let them know that you are embarrassed, apologize again, and then
continue with instruction. After your class is over, you should speak with a
supervisor and explain your side of the situation as soon as you can and
certainly, before your supervisor hears about it from an angry parent or
guardian.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">While swear words are clearly not something
you should say around students, there are other language issues you should also
pay attention to. Make sure your own words are ones that help your students and
do not hurt them. Never make negative or insulting remarks about any student’s</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Race</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Family</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Friends</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Nationality</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Clothing</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Neighborhood</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Body size</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sexual orientation</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .5in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "symbol"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Disabilities</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> You should also make a point of using
“I” messages whenever you can. “I” messages are statements that use words such
as I, we, us, or our instead of you. For example, instead of the harsh, “You’d
better pay attention,” a teacher can say, “I’d like for you to pay attention
now.” “You’re too noisy" becomes “We all need to be quiet so that everyone
can hear,” and “You’re doing that all wrong!” can become “I think I can help
you with that.” With these simple changes, the statements are no longer
accusatory, harsh in tone, or insulting. The language points out a problem but
does not put anyone on the defensive. “I” messages work because they state a
problem without blaming the student. This, in turn, creates a focus on a
solution and not on an error the child has made.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another way to make sure to use your teacher
voice effectively is to match your tone to your purpose. Teachers who do not
use a serious tone when the situation warrants it can confuse students who
quickly pick up on the discrepancy between the tone of voice their teacher is
using and the seriousness of the moment.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You may also recall teachers in your past who
had unfortunate verbal mannerisms—repeating “you know”; or clearing their
throat; or using annoying filler words, such as “like.” If you suspect that you
may have a potentially distracting verbal mannerism, one of the best ways to be
certain is to record yourself and listen critically. You can also ask for
honest feedback from colleagues or from your students.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A final way to use your teacher voice to make
it a more effective teaching tool is to vary the speed at which you speak.
Teachers who talk very quickly or in a slow monotone in front of the class are
not tuned in to their audience. Remember that when you are in class, you should
not be in the same conversational mode that you would use with your friends.
Instead, use your voice to make it easy for your students to understand you.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-81501263775974814272019-09-18T07:30:00.000-04:002019-09-18T07:30:36.748-04:00Quick Tips for Redirecting Off-Task Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AeGupU-IpA/XYIUhwPHR2I/AAAAAAAACuo/dNeAK_Vv8mYJri7ZFTKc4JBjpphBRScYQCEwYBhgL/s1600/pexels-photo-83054.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="526" height="212" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8AeGupU-IpA/XYIUhwPHR2I/AAAAAAAACuo/dNeAK_Vv8mYJri7ZFTKc4JBjpphBRScYQCEwYBhgL/s320/pexels-photo-83054.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your most important goal when redirecting
students who may be off task is to quickly and quietly help them get back on
task without missing even a moment of instruction. The difficulty lies in
trying to be as unobtrusive as possible while still stopping the
misbehavior.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fortunately, there are many
different ways to redirect students without disrupting instruction. Here are
just a few of the techniques you can use to help your students
stay on track during class. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Use sticky notes
to write reminders and put them on the desks of students who are off task.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Set a timer and
give everyone a two-minute break. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Change the pace
of the assignment. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students if
they would like help from a classmate.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Use your “teacher
look” to remind students to keep working.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Call home if
several attempts to redirect are not successful.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Remind students
of their long and short-term goals.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students to
restate the directions.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students to
estimate how long it will take to finish the assignment.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Count 1, 2, 3 and
wait for everyone to pay attention to your directions. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students who
are struggling with an assignment if they need help.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Move to stand
near the students who are off task.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have students
stand, stretch, and then return to work.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Put your hand on
the desk of a student whose attention seems to be wandering.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Discreetly remove
distractions. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students who
are off task to sit near you. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 10.0pt; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pleasantly remind
students of the behavior you would like to see.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: .75in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sometimes the problem is not off task behavior,
but noise. You can also establish signals such as these with your students to
let them know that they need to moderate their noise level:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Flick the lights</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Fan them so that
they “chill out”</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tell them to use
a six-inch voice</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ring a bell</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wave your hands
over your head</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Snap your fingers
until students snap back</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Blow a whistle</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Play calming
classical music </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Raise your hand
until they raise theirs<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Clap your hands
until they clap with you</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Clap twice until
they clap three times</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stand near a
noisy group</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give them a
thumbs up when they are quiet</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Give them a
thumbs down when they are noisy</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Shush the nearest
group and have them pass it on</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Place your finger
over your lips and have them do the same</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hold up your hand
in a “V” for volume sign</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It’s also helpful to remember that
alpha commands tend to be more effective than beta commands when redirecting
students. An alpha command is one that is simple and direct while pointing the
student in a positive direction. For example, an effective alpha command for
students who are lollygagging in the hallway would be, “It’s time for you to go
to your seat.” A less effective beta command would be, “Why are you guys still
in the hallway?” The effectiveness of an alpha command is that it does not just
stop misbehavior, but instead focuses on a desired positive behavior. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-45656928104735923542019-09-09T14:52:00.001-04:002019-09-09T14:52:21.616-04:00Giving Your Class a Positive Label Makes All the Difference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRJQNtwb5g0/XXafWeo-rPI/AAAAAAAACtY/s_YZ-RKncO4IxIKDfw3o_Q7D7tlQsLwRACLcBGAs/s1600/love.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="857" height="280" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mRJQNtwb5g0/XXafWeo-rPI/AAAAAAAACtY/s_YZ-RKncO4IxIKDfw3o_Q7D7tlQsLwRACLcBGAs/s320/love.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A healthy self-esteem is not handed out at birth—not
even to those enviable individuals who were born with such advantages as
intelligence, good health, and loving families. The reasons for this are not
hard to determine, but the negative effects of a poor self-image can devastate
a classroom when challenging students don’t make even the smallest efforts to
try to work or behave.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When students
regard themselves as capable learners, they act in ways that perpetuate their
positive beliefs. They resist the negative effects of peer pressure and learn to
develop the social skills that will help them be positive members of class.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Self-confident students are courteous, willing
to offer help, tolerant of others, and willing to take risks. Their positive
attitudes will make it possible for you to create the inclusive class identity
that you want for them. Promoting self-esteem in students is not something that
should replace the curriculum; instead, it should be a natural part of the
positive approach with all students. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
is also important to remember that in school self-esteem must be based on
achievement. It can’t be founded merely on personal qualities; but must be
solidly based in the sense of satisfaction that comes from doing a job to the
best of one’s ability. Although there are some simple activities that teachers
can do to help students see themselves as part of a successful group, the best
ways to bolster a healthy self-image are the ones that will appeal most to your
students. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here
are some simple suggestions to help create the positive class atmosphere that
will allow you to create a positive class identity for your students.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Improve your listening skills; students are
acutely sensitive to the nuances of body language. Treat your students as if
they are important people in your lives by attending to what they say, even in
the frantic press of daily activities. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pay attention to the way you talk to students.
Use a pleasant, soft voice. Be friendly as well as firm with them. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">After a particularly long or difficult unit of
study, hold an awards ceremony to celebrate its successful completion. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Encourage them through specific praise and
encouragement, not just by saying, “Good Job!” no matter what a student does. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It is also important to avoid needless
negativity with students. For example, instead of saying “Don’t interrupt me,”
try saying “I’ll be with you in a minute” if you want to send a more positive
message. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Offer help to those students who need special
help and encouragement. Some students need an extra tutoring session or a bit
of extra time with you to become more capable and confident.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">At the end of class, ask students to tell you
something important that they did well or learned. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Hold your students accountable for
participation in class. Do not let them sleep, refuse to work, neglect to make
up work, forget homework, or ignore what you have assigned for all your other
students. Students who opt out of participating in class may be relieved for
the moment, but they are not going to feel good about themselves or about your
class if you allow this behavior. Other students will also be watching how you
handle their difficult classmates, as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">There is a great deal of personal reward to be
found in activities that help others. Involve your students in class activities
that are geared to helping other people. Students who tutor each other or
younger students, collect money and goods for the needy, participate in an
Earth Day clean-up, or are involved in other compassionate and helpful
activities will reap tremendous benefits in the form of improved self-esteem. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask students to describe the most difficult
part of a lesson and what they did to overcome that difficult part. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Take a no-nonsense approach to how you provide
correction for your students, but be gentle. Over and over again, research and
common sense both prove that it is the positive actions teachers take with
students that promote a productive classroom climate. Students who have
teachers who show sincere approval for their actions are more successful than
those students whose teachers intimidate them into compliance. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Create opportunities for students to reflect
upon and recognize the contributions of their classmates after a shared
assignment, project, or discussion. Teach the importance of recognizing each
other’s accomplishments.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-8630643904869121522019-08-26T16:50:00.000-04:002019-08-26T16:50:23.865-04:00Connect Connet Connect<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo_MF0gxiY4/XWRFynB3ygI/AAAAAAAACqY/cFPyLTIH6MQU-begVKeQjgxUuVYy1q-uwCLcBGAs/s1600/heart-1721592__340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="340" data-original-width="673" height="161" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Xo_MF0gxiY4/XWRFynB3ygI/AAAAAAAACqY/cFPyLTIH6MQU-begVKeQjgxUuVYy1q-uwCLcBGAs/s320/heart-1721592__340.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Although you may want to connect with your
students right away, it takes time to not just build the necessary rapport, but
to gather as much information about individual students as you can. Even if
your class size is small, you will have students with various quirks, life
experiences, and personalities to try to decipher and that cannot be done in a
hurry.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
reason that it takes time to learn about your students is that every day will
bring new maturity and growth. Interests will develop or evolve, and life
experiences will create change. Even though this can be challenging, learning
about your students is one of the most rewarding aspects of your teaching
practice. Here are just some of the ways that you can learn about your
students:</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Review your students’ records. Be sure to
follow the correct procedures and confidentiality regulations. You may want to
jot quick notes on each student as you scan his or her information.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make a point of observing your students as
they interact with each other. Who appears to be shy? Who is a peacemaker? Who
is generous? You can learn a great deal about them simply by being mindful of
their interactions with each other. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When you make a positive phone call home, you
have an opportunity to ask questions. Likewise, when you send home an
introductory letter, you can add a section asking parents or guardians to tell
you about their child. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your students’ previous teachers may be
another good source of information. One drawback of this method is that you may
sometimes get information that is not completely objective and that may bias
your view of a child. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">One of the best ways to get to know your
students and to help them get to know each other is to use icebreakers. As you
watch students interact with each other, you will learn a great deal about
them. In addition, icebreakers will give your students an opportunity to learn
to value each other’s contributions to the class. Try these icebreaker
strategies to learn more about your students:</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have students
work in pairs or triads to fill out information forms about each other. Include
questions that will cause them to learn interesting and unusual details such as
their favorite performers or athletes or a pet peeve.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Pass around a
large calendar on which each student can record his or her birthday. Also
consider having students mark their birthplace on a large map.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Play “Would You
Rather?” with your students. In this quick game, you call out a question with
two answer choices. Examples would be, “Would you rather be famous or be rich?”
or “Would you rather have a dog or a cat as a pet?” Students can indicate their
choice in a variety of ways such as standing, raising hands, or moving to a
designated area of the room. </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Put students in
pairs. Give each pair a blank Venn diagram; have them chart how they are alike
and how they are different. After the initial pairs have completed the diagram,
each pair should then join another pair and create another Venn diagram that
shows how the pairs are alike and different.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have each student
create a timeline of his or her life. If you let students use large sheets of
bulletin board paper and bright markers, you will be able to decorate your
classroom with work that students will find fascinating.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have students
group themselves according to birthday, eye color, favorite sports team,
favorite music, or other common interests.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Check out the many
icebreaker sites online. One that is particularly useful for classroom use is
Youth Group Games (http://www.jubed.com/search/ice-breaker).</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask your students
to list five things they do well. You will be surprised at how difficult this
is for many students; too often, students focus on their weaknesses, not on
their strengths.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level2 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Put your students
into pairs and have them determine seven things they have in common. Insist
that they go beyond the obvious to discuss such topics as shared experiences,
attitudes, or aspirations, or other appealing topics.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level2 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: "Courier New"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-fareast-font-family: "Courier New";"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">o<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">You can also
learn a great deal about your students from brief writing assignments in which
students respond to quick questions.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>Here
are some quick suggestions for topics in the form of statements to be completed
by students that you could use at any time of the term. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"></b></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">1.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When I am grown up, I want to...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">2.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My favorite things to do at home are...</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">3.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My favorite things to do at school are...</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">4.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The subjects I do best in are...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">5.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The subjects I need help in are...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">6.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am looking forward to learning about...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">7.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I like it when my teachers...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">8.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I would like to know more about...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">9.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I am happiest when I am...</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; margin-left: 1.25in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">10.<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I handle stress by...</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-20072269917792035982019-08-18T12:29:00.000-04:002019-08-18T12:29:37.131-04:00How to Make a Good Impression When You Meet Your New Students<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The first day of school is one of the most
exciting and stressful days of the entire year for teachers and students alike.
One of the most important tasks that any teacher has is to make a good
impression so that students can relax and look forward to the rest of the
school year. As you begin thinking about that important first day, keep in mind
that while your worries may be keeping you up at night, your students are also
worried that they may not have a good teacher or even a good year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because it is so important that the first day
of school be an encouraging experience for your students (and for you), you
must present yourself to your students in as positive a manner as possible.
This will be easy for you if you focus your energy on the following broad strategies.
</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Take
Charge of Your Class</span></b></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Have a seating chart ready so that you can
show students to their respective seats and get them started on their opening
exercise at once. Have an assignment on the board or give students a handout as
they enter the room.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Before the term begins, when you have made up
your introduction, class rules and expectations, consider having a friend
record you presenting them. You can really have fun with this if you film your
presentation at the beach, on a boat, or even in your own backyard. This would
allow you to be creative and to make a polished presentation. When school
starts, show the video and give your students a handout on the class
expectations to fill in as they watch and listen. Showing a video instead of
having to remember details on an already stressful day makes the day easier for
you as well. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Calm
Your Students’ Fears</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Stand at the door of your classroom and
welcome students to your class. Wear a bright name tag. Make sure to
prominently display your name and room number so that students and their
parents or guardians can be sure that they are in the right place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Smile. Look glad to see every student. Greet
each one pleasantly, using his or her name if you can.</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l4 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teach your first lesson as if it is the most
important lesson you will teach all year. In many ways, it is. Your students
should feel not only that they learned something interesting but also that they
will continue to learn something in your class every day.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Introduce
Yourself</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Because you want the first day of class to go
well, and because you want to control the amount of speculation about you, the
new teacher, you should introduce yourself so that students can start to
connect with you. While you should select the information from this list that
would be most appropriate for your students, you can tell your students the
following information:</span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">How to spell your last name</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Your title (Mr., Ms., Mrs., Dr.)</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where you went to college</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Where you grew up</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why you are looking forward to working with
them</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The positive things you have heard about them</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The positive things you have heard about the
school</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">What your favorite subject was in school</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l2 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Why you chose to be a teacher</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Engage
Your Students’ Minds</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Design fast-paced, interesting instruction
that will appeal to students with a variety of learning styles and engage their
critical thinking skills. Solving puzzles, completing a challenge, quick
writing assignments (if students can write), and other brief activities often
work well. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l3 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Consider a lesson that will allow you to
assess your students’ readiness levels as well as give them an overview of the
skills they will learn or the material they will cover during the term. Make
sure that the lesson is one that encourages them to be active, and not just one
that requires them to listen passively.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Begin
to Teach Class Routines</span></b></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Teaching acceptable school behavior is part of
what teachers do and is certainly part of what students expect from their
teachers. For example, when it is time for students to turn in the day’s written
assignment, take a minute to show them the procedure for passing in papers that
you will expect them to follow all term.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If students lack supplies to do the
assignment, lend them what they need for class and gently remind them that they
will need to have paper and a pencil in the future. Instead of harsh
reprimands, stick to gentle reminders instead.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8647126972241110803.post-36412928904967346772019-08-11T19:42:00.001-04:002019-08-11T19:42:43.734-04:00How to Make Your Students Feel Welcomed on the First Day of Class<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When you begin planning for the first day or
the first week of a new school year, you will probably focus your efforts on
classroom management and instructional activities. Although these are crucial
to the success of your students, making your students feel welcomed in your
classroom is just as important. When students feel that they are valued and
included, they will find it easier to cooperate, to work, and to learn.
Fortunately, there are many ways to make students of all ages feel that they
welcomed at school.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><div style="line-height: 150%; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<br /></div>
</span>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make sure there is a large sign in the hallway
so that students can find your classroom. Make it easy for them to feel
confident that they are in the right place at the right time. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Don’t make a fuss about students who may enter
late. Just quickly settle them to work on the activities that other students
are working on. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Check attendance quickly so that any student
who is not in the right room can quickly leave with as little commotion as
possible.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Play music as they enter the room. An
excellent source for music for your classroom is Pandora Internet Radio
(https://www.pandora.com). At Pandora’s Web site, you will be able to browse
musical genres that will appeal to students. You can use instrumental or
classical music or even music with lyrics suitable for school.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make sure that every student is quickly seated
in the right spot with as little confusion as possible.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Smile at individuals and smile at the entire
group.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">When students enter the room, have an
interesting activity for them to do right away.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If students do not have school supplies, lend
them what they need without fuss.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make sure students know the names of several
of their classmates by the end of class.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Having students interact with classmates on
the first day sends a positive message about the importance of teamwork in your
class.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you need transitions between activities,
consider showing a motivational or intriguing power point or movie clip.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Talk to your students about how you are
nervous and that you predict that they are as well. Discuss your shared
anxieties.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If students will be moving to other
classrooms, make sure everyone knows where to go. Passing out school maps and
assigning buddies to find other classrooms are both good ideas. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Wear a name tag. If appropriate, ask students
to wear name tags as well for at least part of class. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Ask for their advice in solving a classroom
problem such as how to store materials or remember the schedule for the next
day. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Make sure you are organized and prepared for
class so that you can focus on helping your students. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If you have students who misbehave, be as low
key as possible in your response. It may take a while for students to learn to
trust you enough to behave well and cooperate with you and their classmates. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Assign buddies to students who may be new to
the school.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">If students have a written assignment, provide
the paper. Odd shapes and colors are always more fun for students than lined
paper.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";"> </span></span></span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 150%; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Compliment the group throughout class and
especially at the end. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; mso-add-space: auto;">
<br /></div>
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Julia G Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02759377187514910999noreply@blogger.com0