Teaching Learning Leading K-12

114: Classroom Management - Starting Class

One of the greatest favors you can do for yourself as a classroom teacher is to learn to get the kids’ attention.

Sounds easy enough, doesn’t it?

Most definitely.

Unfortunately, it is not that easy and too often this is where the adult takes a short cut.

You risk being run over by a freight train.

Quite simply once many kids realize that you don’t have a real way of starting class...your honeymoon is over.

Once they realize that you don’t have a way of getting their attention...you are soon going to find yourself talking over or above the kids' voices when you shouldn’t.

You have to have a way to start class and getting the kids’ attention. This is not a time to reason, plead or wish they would do what you say. You have to make getting their attention something that you always do.

In today’s episode, I am focused on the importance of getting the kids’ attention.

Here are my 5 Steps to Starting Class Right

1. Know what you are going to do.

2. Explain it to them

3. Practice it

4. Do it again

5. Revisit

Here is an example of what that special piece of carpeting might look like.

Listen to Episode 42 and my talk with first-year teacher Melanie Knight to hear her talk about the carpet and other things. (She is now a 3rd-year teacher)

Enjoy working with the kids.

Thanks for listening.

Check out my interview with Ms Hair an elementary teacher who talks about deer antlers.

Episode 24: Teaching First Grade with Tonya Hair.

Check out info from Dr. Harry Wong on Gimme Five and other ways of getting the attention of your class.

http://blog.maketaketeach.com/the-importance-of-teaching-procedures-in-the-classroom/

Here is a Gimme Five Poster

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whole-Body-Listening-Give-Me-Five-Posters-Back-to-School-Beginning-of-the-Year-1282549

Here are some thoughts about Call Backs

http://herdingkats.blogspot.com/2015/03/using-call-backs-after-spring-break.html

Also...Call Backs here.

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Whole-Brain-Teaching-Attention-Please-Attention-Getters-FREE-1779054

Length - 17:24

113: Classroom Management-Withitness & Emotional Objectivity, part 2

This is a conclusion of a two part series concerning withitness and emotional objectivity.

Click here to check out part one.

Good classroom management requires the teacher to become emotionally objective. This doesn't mean that you don't connect with the kids, but it does mean that you get control of the part of you that might start believeing that everything the kid does is to get under your skin. Too often adults working with kids can easily get fixated on the idea that a kid does everything at or toward the teacher. For example, not getting his homework done, failing to be on time to class, getting into arguments with other students, or simply not following classroom procedures.

This type of thinking can drive you batty.

It ultimately can drive some adults to the point to be angry at the world, see every student behavior as an issue and become completely grumpy about every misbehavior. 

As a result, the teacher may actually develop what appears to be a grudge against one particular student. You know what I mean. If a name is going to be called, it's Evan's or Rita's. Even if he was quiet at that time of the class, one little seemingly touch or move across the line and whammo!! 

Evan! Rita! 

His or her name is announced. Hmmm...This is not good.

At this point the teacher may need to have an attitude adjustment. Simply speaking it is time to watch something funny. Talk with another adult who can make you laugh or seek guidance in dealing with the issues that are causing you pain in the upcoming class. One of my favorite ways of adjusting my focus is to watch something funny like an episode of Gilligan's Island or Home Improvement and even Last Man Standing.

It is important that each class have us at our best. No one is perfect. So when there are those aspects of kid's behaviors that get you twisted and torn or wanting to avoid dealing with the issues (which is just as bad as getting angry) find that tool that will help you calm yourself. 

I often play soccer with the kids at lunch or after school. I also play my trumpet with the marching band. Each of these tools work like a charm. I start seeing kids back as a kids instead of accidents waiting to happen or trouble in the making.

My all time way to get myself refocused was by taking a ride in the golf cart/ Nothing like a few minutes of fresh air to readjust your attitude. 

Keep in mind that classroom management requires the teacher to not only be in tune with what the kids are doing (withitness) but to also become emotionally objective so that every little thing doesn't start bothering you. Letting go of any and all negative feelings you may have developed about a kid and how she will act in class today is a must so that every day or class is a new chance.

Additional Resources:

Emotional Objectivity PDF

The Mental Set PDF

Sample from Classroom Management That Works

Additional info from Classroom Management That Works

Amazon page for Classroom Management That Works

Length: 18:03

112: Classroom Management - Withitness and Emotional Objectivity, part one

Dr. Robert Marzano talks about every teacher needing a common mental set when focusing on classroom management (Marzano, Classroom Management that Works, 2003). This mental set is comprised of withitness and emotional objectivity. 

This is part one of a two part look at this mental set.

For this episode we will focus on withitness which is being aware of what is going on around you. It is often that sixth sense that a teacher needs to have. Often it is spoken of as an extra set of eyes in the back of your head. 

No matter what, withitness is a condition that you have to teach yourself to turn on and stay tuned to.

In the Marvel Comics realm there is a character named Spider-Man. He has the ability to recognize danger and foretell the potential of disaster approaching. When he feels that tingle in his brain he knows that he better pay attention or move out of the way. The classroom teacher is no different, He has a Spidey sense as well. 

It is a matter of paying attention to it.

The better a teacher gets to know his kids the better he will become at recognizing warning signs of impending danger.

One sure fire way to turn on your withitness is to stand at your door during class changes. Yea, I know it is easy to get distracted, but the more you make this a priority the better you will become at recognizing issues are entering your classroom.Talk with the kids when they enter. Shake their hands. Look into their eyes Chit chat with them in the hall. If you do you these things you will notice when there is anger, sadness, or other issues walking through the door.

The same applies for during class. You have to pay attention to their eyes. You have to pay attention to their mannerisms. Listen with your ears and eyes. If you are truly paying attention you will notice when there is something wrong. Once you notice it. Address it. Go to the kids. Find out what is wrong. You will be happy that you did.

This is withitness.

Work on turning yours on and you will be able to address issues before they become issues.

Next time we will focus on emotional objectivity.

Here are some links for more information on withitness:

Classroom Management that Works at ASCD by Robert Marzano

Classroom Monitoring by Walking Around 

 Being Aware of What is Going on in the Room

Teacher Withitness

Length: 14:10

111: Mandi Mathis & The Littlest Inventor

Mandi C. Mathis has written a book called The Littlest Inventor.

She works for a law firm, is a wife and a mom and now an author.  

She and her family live in Athens, Georgia.

Mandi hopes all kids, teachers, parents. and counselors will read her book.

But she will tell you that the book was written for her son Sawyer. 

She wanted him to "have a positive literary role model that looked like him." 

Sawyer was diagnosed with Sensory Processing Disorder.

The book is colorful and has wonderful illustrations. The storyline is interesting and does a wonderful job of pointing out that it is ok to be different.

Here is a picture of Sawyer who was featured in Autism: Asperger's Digest.

I love the part of the interview where Mandi talks about celebrating differences as she says, "We love different. We are all different." 

We talk about what Autism Spectrum Disorder is as well as what teachers and other adults need to recognize about working with kids who have sensory overload.

Listen to her talk about "misbehavior is just missed behaviors."

I hope that you get a chance to get a copy of The Littlest Inventor after you listen to Mandi. 

Get in touch or keep up with Mandi:

http://www.mandicmathis.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mandi_c_mathis

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mandi.mathis

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mandicmathis/

Click here to get a copy of The Littlest Inventor

Length: 24:26

110: Kip Jones and his Urban Character Education Books

Kip “Mr. J” Jones  is a School Counselor at Alcoa Elementary School  in Alcoa, Tennessee.

He has written a series of wonderful books focused on teaching character education. His books are part of a series he calls Urban Character Education, published by Boys Town Press.

The series follows the adventures and interactions of Willie Bohanon and his friends. They are written in rhyme and illustrated and printed as a graphic novel.

Listen for Kip to explain the Biblio-Rhymology concept.

The characters are easy to identify with and his point is clear to anyone as soon as you pick up his books. Each book also has an activity guide as a supplement to support using the book for working with kids.

He currently has three books with a  fourth on the way: The Power of an Attitude of Gratitude, The Power of Bystanders, and The Power of Self-D. Coming soon is a book focused on dealing with peer pressure.

His book series is a winner of the Mom’s Choice Gold Award.

In addition to his full time counseling work and writing, Kip is also a national speaker, a husband and a father.

He and his family live in Maryville, Tennessee.

Find out more about Kip, Willie & his friends, Urban Character Education, 

and biblio-rhymology

http://biblio-rhymology.weebly.com/

https://twitter.com/AuthorMrJ

https://www.facebook.com/www.mrjauthor/

https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01BTIRYJ6?ref_=pe_1724030_132998540

https://www.boystownpress.org/index.php/catalogsearch/result/?q=Kip+Jones

Get in touch with Kip

email:  kjones@alcoaschools.net

phone: 865-560-6490

Length: 38:44