Update: Observation went good, not as well as expected, but she came one class early and that is my "we aren't the sharpest tools in the shed" class... so it was difficult to the lab with them.
Dog walks: Today and yesterday morning and evening have felt SO good while walking my doggy. It feels like autumn where the cold nips at you but doesn't knock you over. I feel so refreshed when I walk outside and it was so nice during the night that I kept my AC off... (yea!!!! for small electric bills!)
Discipline: Yesterday I had the day off from classes to go to some training. We had to observe 4 hours of a master teacher and I thought I was going to hate it, but I loved it. I got some great ideas from these ladies I work with everyday but never get to see them in action. Also, I got to talk to my principal for a long time after school yesterday... just thanking him for letting me go to this thing. We started talking about what I need help with and I told him I think I have it all except for the discipline part.
I don't know when to draw the line between a warning and a detention or whatever other consequence it is. I know they are laid out and there are rules, but really, where is the line? I just know that middle school was a hard time in my life... not behavior wise, but just mentally I was all sorts of messed up (probably still am:P). Its hard for me to discipline a student without being mean and unfair... and still have them want to come to my class and learn. I have been lucky with a few but I know some of these kids are going to keep grudges and I know not everyone is going to like me but I need them to be willing to work in my class. Luckily my principal reassured me by letting me know that the only way I can learn is by making [small] mistakes... and that no one in admin is going to look down on me for it. The only thing I am having trouble with is that making a mistake on something like that doesn't only involve me... but is a mistake for that student and goodness knows they have enough "mistakes" to deal with... without me having to add one to the list.
I have decided to attend a free training for some classroom management and the principal offered for the school to pay my mileage which is great! I am so lucky to be working with such awesome people!
Some other things I learned from training yesterday:
Use music- during transitions, study time, changing classes, etc. Go for classical or oldies so that no one is offended or yelling about not liking something. As one teacher put it... you and the kids can both enjoy something you dislike together.
Use examples- The more examples you have... the more they remember. Use between 8 and 10 for each concept.
Increase wait time- Hold your wait time for 15-30 seconds depending on age (longer for older) and you and your students will reap the benefits.
I have already started using this today and the lightbulbs are definitely turning on brighter.
Til next time- coach b
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2 comments:
What a wonderful post! You are doing an awesome job ---- just the way you care and seek out advice from others then take and use that advice wisely is great! I am so glad that you are getting to work in such an awesome place too, and I look forward to hearing about your successes and adventures to come.
I know where you can get lots of that elevator music..want some?
...and yup, gotta agree about the weather...Mr. C has been zippy-skippy every morning!
the discipline will come...be consistent, be fair...keep those lines of communication open administration...it's a good thing!
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