The number one secret to getting your worst pupils to behave
Copyright 2006 Change
There is one true key to successful behavior management. It doesn't matter how many effective teaching skills and useful behavior strategies you have in your arsenal; without this, your efforts will eventually come unstuck.
The secret ingredient is? the teacher-pupil relationship.
You see, when you really get to know a pupil you become aware of their triggers ? the things that upset them and cause all sorts of problems in class. And when you're dealing with children who carry all kinds of emotional baggage and flare up for no apparent reason, this is valuable knowledge.
After all? stopping behavior problems from occurring is much easier when you know in advance what causes them!
When you take the time to get to know a pupil, you find out what they enjoy, what they like doing and what their interests are. With this information you have the power to make all your lessons instantly appealing and your conversations with them stimulating.
When you reach out and get to know any child in school you show them they're valued as people. Once they learn this, their ability to take an active role in other positive relationship is improved; they fit in better and so are less likely to get into serious trouble and less likely to spoil your lessons. Also, when you show you're actually interested in them as individuals they will respect and trust you. Pupils will behave much better for the teacher they trust and respect.
Once you get to know them anything really is possible; doors are opened to a whole new world of communication, cooperation, fun and mutual respect.
The best technique I've found for helping you discover their likes, dislikes, hobbies, passions and interests is?
?an age-old salesman's tool called the 'Record Card'.
Record cards are used by salesmen to record a client's personal information and so enable him to be more 'familiar' on his next visit. Each time he returns to the same client and has a conversation, more information is recorded on the card. It might be a chat about the football last night ? revealing his favorite team for example or a few words about his family.
These tidbits gradually build up and form library of useful information which can be drawn on to deepen the relationship during the next meeting. It's a well known fact that people would rather have a conversation about their own lives and interests than anything else, so the salesman that does this will always make the sale.
The huge benefit of the information on the record card is that it enables the salesman to tailor the conversation, and even new product lines, to the client's interests, needs and desires. When this is done, the client is far more receptive and likely to buy.
We can discover the passions and interests of our students very quickly through our own simple version of the Record Card ? a fun questionnaire to give to the worst pupils in class as a fill-in activity.
The information you glean from these completed questionnaires is priceless and these are just some of the ways you can use it?
? Tailor rewards to a pupil's interests making them have more effect. (if you have a pupil who's nuts about a certain breed of dog there's no point in giving him a sticker with a car on it!) ? Provide reading material ? magazines, journals and books ? that relate to their specific areas of interest ? for break times, quiet reading sessions, registration etc.
? Plan really, really interesting lessons! I'm talking about lessons that grab them from the word go and hold their attention all the way through. This is only possible when they're actually interested in what you're talking about. You might choose to plan a series of lessons for the whole class around a topic that several pupils are interested in, or cover a skill such as narrative writing and encourage them to write a story about their subject of interest.
? Use them as a relationship-building tool. They enable you to strike up conversation on a topic you know they're interested in and this is crucial with 'hard to reach' kids ? it shows you care about them and are interested in them as people. Being able to chat with a pupil on their level is magical and is the short-cut to having far fewer discipline problems.
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Rob Johnson is the author of 'Magic Classroom Management ? How to get the most from the worst kids in school.'
He is Deputy Head Teacher at a special school in the UK and has been working with challenging young people for 15 years.
To find out more about how to use record cards and relationships to get your worst pupils to behave visit http://www.classroom-management.Org
Looking For Online Distance Education Loan?
Is your dream of having education through the internet about to be aborted? You don't have to forego your education for lack of fund. There are many people like you that have completed their online education. Thanks to online education loan.
With an online education loan, you don't have to worry financing your online educational pursuit. Financially, there are some out there that cannot afford the cost of online education. Never mind the people out there telling you that online education is cheap. The term ?cheap? is subjective. What may be cheap to you may not be same with me. Everyone is on different income bracket. Contrary to the wide speculation that online education is not as expensive as traditional education, statistics reveal that lots of people are still not able to afford it. For instance, if you want to get a master degree online, you must be ready to part with more than $2,000. To some people, this is on the high side.
This is why many people are turning to online education loans. This is a loan that can help you pay for all for the required fees by your online school. In other words, you don't have to break into a bank before paying for your online education.
But how do you get online distance education loan?
It's very simple to get online distance education loan if you know how. I know of the best way to secure a loan for your online education. Many people are not exploring this and are therefore at the mercy of many lenders out there. The lenders give you the loan at cut throat rate that make you their slave. There is a better way of securing a loan to finance your online education.
It is assumed that you are working presently. Have a discussion with your employer on how he or she can give you online education loan. Contrary to popular opinion, many employers love employee who are striving to develop themselves. These employers will be more willing to lend you the money to get online education. He or she knows that you and the company will be the better for it after you're through. However, some, I say some may ask you to sign an agreement that requires you staying with the company for some years. If this is okay with you, then take the loan and get your online education certificate without any problem.
What if you're not working? The governments of some states or countries do give out loan to qualified students. If you search well, you may find some schools that give out loan to intending and qualified students. However, I urge you to go through the conditions attached with the help of an attorney before putting pen to paper.
Online education loan will make your dream possible. Just use the tips given in this article and you'll surely be happy.
Ras Reed is a prolific writer that gives free information on online education. Get more info at Online Distance Education
Virginia Schools Students Face New Type of Study Program This Fall
Virginia schools students recently have returned to school. Along with the studies and coursework they expected to face, they have a new program with which to deal ? a bullying prevention program.
Bullies are prevalent in all schools today. It has been a growing problem for the past decade. The emotional trauma experienced by victims of bullying is, in some cases, beyond belief. The results of bullying, both upon the victim and the bully, also are significant. We have seen some of these results in our news headlines ? shootings at schools, suicides, self-mutilation through cutting, depression and extreme emotional distress ? and these only the victims. Bullies, many times, develop very serious violent behavior with many ending up in prison; abuse their spouses, children and/or elderly parents; and sexually abuse others.
Bullying has become a real problem in the Virginia schools, with 12,709 incidents of crime and violence against Virginia schools students reported in the 2003-2004 school year. These incidents included physical assault with and without weapons, threats, bullying and one attempted rape. Another 89 incidents were reported on Virginia schools property that involved firearms. Another 21,128 incidents of fighting with no or minor injuries were reported by the Virginia schools, and 1,336 incidents of fighting that resulted in serious injury.
Bullying occurs when one or more students repeatedly subject other students to negative actions over a period of time. Bullying includes intentional physical attacks (such as hitting), obscene gestures, intentional exclusion from a group, and verbal attacks (such as threatening, malicious teasing, and spreading rumors).
Bullies are impulsive and hotheaded. They generally (but not always) have more physical strength than other children their age. Bullies lack empathy and have dominant personalities, a need to control and prove they are tough. They defy authority, do not conform to rules, have a positive attitude toward violence, and have poor conflict-resolution skills. Many times, bullies are children from abusive families ? but not always.
The Virginia schools are determined to stop the abuse in their schools. They have teamed with the Virginia Department of Health and Virginia Commonwealth University to implement the Olweus Bully Prevention Program, which began this fall. The program is funded by a grant of $290,615 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for each of the three years the program will run, between 2006 and 2009.
The Olweus Program was first used throughout Norway and addresses individual and bystander behaviors. It promotes social skills to eliminate the negative interaction between bullies and victims. It will promote parent and community education and collaboration within the Virginia schools.
According to State Health Commissioner Robert B. Stroube, M.D., M.P.H., the Olweus Program will directly address the behavioral tendencies that lead to becoming a bully or a victim. It will work to prevent all forms of violence in the Virginia schools that is directed by or at children and adolescents.
The U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration found the program has many benefits. The Olweus Program:
? Reduced student reports of being bullied and bullying others by 30 to 70 percent;
? Significantly reduced students' reports of general antisocial behavior, such as vandalism, fighting and theft;
? Significantly improved classroom order and discipline; and
? Fostered a more positive attitude toward schoolwork and school.
The Virginia schools expect similar results across the commonwealth. Lessening bullying in the Virginia schools, means the Virginia schools students can put more focus on their coursework and scholastic achievement, and teachers can focus less on discipline and more on teaching. It is a plus for everyone.
