"I've always thought that people need to feel good about themselves and I see my role as offering support to them, to provide some light along the way."
In our text Whale Done--The Power of Positive Relationships read the introduction and chapter one. Reflect on the chapter and make a connection to our education system--how are our philosohies different or the same. These connections may be within your classroom or school.
- Do we accentuate the postive?
- Build trust?
- What do we do when mistakes occur
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Do we accentuate the positive? Most of the educational system is not set up that way. Students are supposed to develop (or come with)intrinsic appreciation and value for their academic accomplishments. Red pens and check marks accent papers that are handed in. Currently in our district the big push is for standards graded report cards-this seems less punitive and more objective than the system we have been living with for as long as I can remember. It takes some effort to focus on the positive because we have been conditioned to look for flaws and mistakes. I loved the intro and first chapter- it seems like a simple shift but it really takes some effort. It made me take a step back and assess the way I do things with my students.
ReplyDeleteAs far as building trust goes I think that is one of the first things to start working on with a new group of kids. Unfortunately it takes time and effort and is not incorporated into the curriculum. In my classroom I build it into the day with activities that stretch all of us. I use character education material, brain-base learning, learning styles and challenge by choice activities. This requires extra time and effort but the payoff is a more cohesive group. I really like the approach Whale Done is taking. I think that I would like to share the book with my supervisor when I am finished.
Whale Done! did a great job explaining how the simple idea of building trust, accentuating the positive and redirecting energy really works. It seems so easy and yet so many teachers focus on the negative and in return get more negative behavior. Our school used PBIS (Positive Behavioral Intervention System) for a few years, but that has fallen to the wayside. We are now thinking of bringing it back, we’ll see how it goes.
ReplyDeleteTrust is one of the biggest issues with my students. If you build trust with them they will respond in a very positive way, just as the whales did. As students start to trust me they believe in me and know that I only want what is best for them. I have only been teaching for 5 years so I continue to learn every day how best to handle my students. This learning never ends as students change and circumstances change.
In my classroom I try to accentuate the positive. It is not always easy and I don't always do a great job of it, but I always try hard. When mistakes occur (and they always do, they are middle school kids and I am human after all!), I try to point out what we are trying to accomplish for the day and how it will help them to focus on the goals. When you accentuate the positive it does make classroom management easier.
There are times when I am upset with a student but I try to never let the anger last more than a moment. I talk to them to get them to move in the right direction and I approach that person on their way out of the classroom to tell them how much I appreciate their contributions to the classroom. At this point in the school year they know that I am sincere and always leave the class with a smile. At the start of the year I tell my class that no matter how upset I am, it will only last for a moment. I restart the class after an unpleasant episode as if no bad behavior happened at all. The students respond the best when you look for the good in the things they do. I will continue to incorporate “Whale Dones!” in my classroom.
jen,
ReplyDeleteOur district in in the process of implementing PBIS here. It is in its infancy-about a year now, they started up at the end of last year. Our building is pushing ahead with it making good progress. But I know of another school where my husband is the PBIS coach where the staff does not buy in and the administration does not support the program.
Why did your school discontinue? It has helped some where I am, but it will take time to change the negative culture. The data certainly supports what the program sets out to do.
We were using the system for 3years. Our teachers did all of the work, with little help or support from the administration. We supposedly had funds in an account but could never access the amount and it was always a hassle to get the funds for activities. After 3 years our coach, a fellow teacher, said she wanted to step down. No one would pick up the slack because it is so much work and we have only 40 minutes of prep time in our day. The principal tried to force this teacher to continue to do all the work but she graciously said someone else needed to take over. Consequently it died a quick death. Now with the RTI push it is back in the picture. We'll see if the administration is serious enough to do the work it takes to make it work. It seemed to work for us when the teachers made the effort but with little support it is hard to find the energy to continue to work on committees. I hope it works for you, but like you said there has to be a buy in by ALL involved.
ReplyDelete