Preparing for Succes-Connecting with Students

As teachers we all have those certain students whom we find it hard to connect with. They are distracted, seem to be disengaged, would rater be somewhere else, show disrespect, etc. We all wish that things would be easier, that the student would pay attention, focus, or even show something as simple as a smile. Well, here is one practical strategy, based on principles of positive behavior support and effective classroom management. Give it a try and see how it works.

Start each class with a positive acknowledgment.

ex. "I see your on Time today Student, you're really getting the hang of your schedule." or "I see that your prepared for class today with all your materials, good job."

These are just 2 examples, but it will be important to connect with the student before class begins or right at the beginning of class to let them know you see them doing something well. It can be private, a comment heard by others, and you decide what's best given specific student needs. Think of it as a deposit in the behavior bank. We deposit positives so that the return on that investment gains interest. In this case, as the student is positively reinforced for doing something right at the beginning of the hour, he is less likely to associate teacher communication with getting in trouble.

M.J. Vannice 8/27/2010

(Dr. Laura Riffel- www.behaviordoctor.org frequently uses the bank deposit analogy)

Co-Teaching: Relationships, Identity, Values...

Relationships, Identity, Values--

Picture this....Desks in teams (communities) of 4. Eight teams dispersed across the room. Groups of 4, and the rare 3 form teams (communities) of learning. Each member of the team is responsible for each other. They work with one another, support one another, experience success with one another, learn together. This is the foundation for the class that my co-teaching partner, Mr. Van Tress and I begin the 2010-11 school year.

As of the first week we have impacted this class in a way that I believe is very positive. Students of all abilities are interacting directly with their teachers, with each other, and with the content. Students who are typically shy, reserved or disinterested are asking questions in front of the class. I have seen volunteers make mistakes and discuss alternative ways to solve problems. I have seen acceptance and empowerment, group and individual decision making, the acceptance of personal challenges, and what feels like comfort and safety. I have witnessed and observed growth in one weeks time. Growth in ways one can only experience when connection, identity and values are shared openly and with trust and care.

We have a foundation! Now we must build, grow, reflect and discover as a class, as a co-teaching partnership, as a community. This is the power of inclusion!!

I am excited to continue onward on this adventure, I hope to see you along the way.