Gayle reminded us in an earlier post that looking at your
classes from the student's perspective is a great technique to
determine ways for improvement. I think we are so busy prepping and
assessing that sometimes we tend to overlook that excellent
suggestion. One thing I had noticed about my students is that they
never have a 'break." Developmentally, kids this age need social
interaction.
In the morning my students hit the ground running! They have
morning band, chorus, club activities and the like, then they come to
homeroom for the first 30 minutes and begin their day. Except for 20
minutes of a hurried lunch they have one class after the other.
Occasionally, they may have a study hall. I decided to buck the entire
"silent homeroom" to allow my kids to "socialize during the first 15
minutes. Group projects and discussion also are often part of regular
class time. Into my Stop and Think program, I embedded a component in
which classes can earn 5-15 minutes of "Friday Fun time," by making
sure the week progresses with less than 5 infractions. (I developed
this as a way to give instruction and ensure active listening.)
Initially, I was uncomfortable because Stop and Think was negative. It
involves a warning and then 3-strikes-your-out type of behavior
management. I finally realized that a perk, something positive, was
needed and incorporated the Friday Fun time.
It works well
So Middle talker's, what have or could you change to better your
practice and benefit students by viewing your classroom from a
student's perspective?
Tena
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