We started a new school year and I've had two days with a brand new group of kids. This year is unique year for me, because out of the seven years I've taught, I've never taught the same curriculum or grade level twice. Until this year. So I enter this year not having to start over in learning a new curriculum or school. But I do have to learn new students. I have a clean slate with these kids and I am anxious to, as I joke with my friends, induct them into my "cult."
Generally, I have to "undo" a lot of their wanting rewards and rules and punishments for things. They also tend to like to police each other (be "in charge" and tell the teacher who's misbehaving) and lie to get out of trouble. In my class, they must learn it is FAR better to admit to making a mistake than to lie about it. They also must shift their dynamic from wanting to have power over each other to working together.
In general, when I ask them a question, they are masters at giving me the answer they think I want to hear (which is rarely the truth). For example, I asked them this today, "Why is it a bad idea to be loud during transitions in our classroom?" My favorite incorrect answer was, "We'll interrupt the other classes." We are in a self-contained trailer. No one can hear us. It's all scripted responses. It takes a while to get them to actually THINK about their responses to questions, instead of just repeating what they've heard in the past.
I volunteered to take a really difficult boy this year. He's impulsive, has no filter and completely lacks empathy for other people. His home life is extremely turbulent and he seems to have a broken volume control on his voice. I was wondering what in my class could make a difference for him. So far, it seems to be community meeting. The first day, he took the opportunity, when Class Concerns came up, to share that he had a concern about his own behavior. This has only happened once before, when a student admits to being concerned about himself. He was able to state the impact of his
actions and then committed to showing more self control. While I know these are just words, he has declared this in front of the whole class. I then respond, "OK, great. Don't just talk about, BE about it. Show us you're committed to showing self control." Today, he shared a Shout Out to another boy in the class for working hard and finding the most examples to a question I had asked. Honestly, I didn't even know he was capable of noticing what others did inside the classroom, much less recognize someone for doing something specifically awesome. There might be hope of teaching him empathy after all.
Today I also gave the students my number. They were confused, then blown away that this was occurring. I also gave them a script to read when they call me which involves them introducing themself, asking how I am and then stating their question clearly. I do this because I have a no excuses policy in my class for homework. This covers the "I didn't understand" excuse. I have already received 3 calls today. One from a very high functioning girl who, I think, just wanted to check if it worked. And the other two were from another girl. She first called me for help on her homework then called back because her 7th grade brother needed help on HIS homework! That definitely made me laugh.
My little community is just beginning but I think we're off to a good start.
Generally, I have to "undo" a lot of their wanting rewards and rules and punishments for things. They also tend to like to police each other (be "in charge" and tell the teacher who's misbehaving) and lie to get out of trouble. In my class, they must learn it is FAR better to admit to making a mistake than to lie about it. They also must shift their dynamic from wanting to have power over each other to working together.
In general, when I ask them a question, they are masters at giving me the answer they think I want to hear (which is rarely the truth). For example, I asked them this today, "Why is it a bad idea to be loud during transitions in our classroom?" My favorite incorrect answer was, "We'll interrupt the other classes." We are in a self-contained trailer. No one can hear us. It's all scripted responses. It takes a while to get them to actually THINK about their responses to questions, instead of just repeating what they've heard in the past.
I volunteered to take a really difficult boy this year. He's impulsive, has no filter and completely lacks empathy for other people. His home life is extremely turbulent and he seems to have a broken volume control on his voice. I was wondering what in my class could make a difference for him. So far, it seems to be community meeting. The first day, he took the opportunity, when Class Concerns came up, to share that he had a concern about his own behavior. This has only happened once before, when a student admits to being concerned about himself. He was able to state the impact of his
actions and then committed to showing more self control. While I know these are just words, he has declared this in front of the whole class. I then respond, "OK, great. Don't just talk about, BE about it. Show us you're committed to showing self control." Today, he shared a Shout Out to another boy in the class for working hard and finding the most examples to a question I had asked. Honestly, I didn't even know he was capable of noticing what others did inside the classroom, much less recognize someone for doing something specifically awesome. There might be hope of teaching him empathy after all.
Today I also gave the students my number. They were confused, then blown away that this was occurring. I also gave them a script to read when they call me which involves them introducing themself, asking how I am and then stating their question clearly. I do this because I have a no excuses policy in my class for homework. This covers the "I didn't understand" excuse. I have already received 3 calls today. One from a very high functioning girl who, I think, just wanted to check if it worked. And the other two were from another girl. She first called me for help on her homework then called back because her 7th grade brother needed help on HIS homework! That definitely made me laugh.
My little community is just beginning but I think we're off to a good start.
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