Creating and Maintaining Safe and Successfull Classrooms
Creating and Maintaining Safe and Successfull Classrooms
By Esther Wright, M.A.
Since I've been an educator for over thirty years, I have had many opportunities to observe exemplary classrooms where students were respectful, responsible, and engaged in their learning. I'm not sure there is one particular "formula", but I know there are many things teachers can do to create an exemplary learning environment for their students.
In my workshops, I often ask teachers to pay close attention to the relationship they develop with their students. Does it reflect your true purpose and commitment for being a teacher? Does it reflect your respect, trust and caring for students? I have found that often the relationship between students and teachers can be enhanced or damaged when discipline issues are being dealt with. If you are calm, respectful, fair and firm when dealing with discipline issues, you will find that your students trust and respect you. If you are negative, punitive, threatening and disrespectful, the relationship will be damaged. It will be extremely difficult for students to learn from you. Brain research tells us that when a human being is frightened, anxious, or threatened, the brain loses it's ability to be creative and receptive to learning. Relationships can be healed, however, although it takes time. I find children to be resilient and forgiving when I make an effort to win back their trust and respect and when they know that I am committed to their safety and success.
The other issue that is extremely important is the classroom environment or culture that we create with our students. Is it one where students can be their unique, selves or do they have to look and act a particular way to please their teacher? Of course, there are behaviors that support safety and learning in the classroom and students should be encouraged to practice those behaviors, however, some students do not "fit the mold". We must honor and respect the variety of learning styles, temperament, and cultural diversity that shows up in America's classrooms. Our classrooms should be places where it is O.K. to take chances and make mistakes. The learning process requires that people take risks and make mistakes. Students should not feel that learning is only about having the right answer or getting an "A" on a quiz. Learning requires active engagement of students. Sometimes classrooms will get noisy. Sometimes students will need to speak without raising their hands. Sometimes students will "experiment" with the learning process in ways that enhance their critical thinking and problem solving skills. These behaviors should not be considered disruptive and inappropriate. They are what makes a Steve Jobs and a George Lucas who they are.
There are some tips that can support teachers in having a classroom that honors the diversity and humanity of our students, while making learning a joyous and satisfying experience for both the teacher and the students:
1. Have classroom discussions regarding what it takes to make a classroom a safe and supportive learning environment.
2. Encourage students to make "agreements" regarding their behaviors and goals in the classroom. Every agreement should be specific to having the classroom be a safe and successful environment for everyone. Discuss what consequences will be available to support students in keeping their agreements, i.e. if you play during work time, you trade play time for work time or if you argue or fight with a student, you will sign up for an after school conflict resolution seminar.
3. Provide opportunities for students to support one another in keeping their agreements. Set up a buddy or mentor system for problem students. Assign a task force to work with classroom situations that are causing problems with safety or success.
4. Make every effort to provide cooling off opportunities for students who demonstrate with attitudes or emotions that could disrupt learning. Have a "chill out area", journals, drawing materials, even stuffed animals for younger students.
5. Find time to have private "heart to heart" conversations with students who are being disruptive or having trouble succeeding academically. Find out what they need to keep their agreements. Provide whatever support is necessary to alter inappropriate behaviors.
6. Learn as much as you can about the psychology, neurology, and physiology of children. You will then better understand how to serve kids with social/emotional issues, ADHD, defiant-oppositional behaviors, etc. Do not punish these students for things that are out of their control. Teach them about their minds and bodies, so they can develop the ability to "manage; their impulses and behaviors. Children can learn to be responsible for their differences when given the information and support to do that.
7. Realize that your students are your greatest teachers and that you both learn a great deal when there are challenges and problems that require creative solutions.
Esther Wright, M.A. is a national education consultant and the author of several books including "Loving Discipline A to Z", "The Heart & Wisdom of Teaching" and "Why I Teach- A collection of Inspirational Stories". She is a classroom management counselor
By Esther Wright, M.A.
Since I've been an educator for over thirty years, I have had many opportunities to observe exemplary classrooms where students were respectful, responsible, and engaged in their learning. I'm not sure there is one particular "formula", but I know there are many things teachers can do to create an exemplary learning environment for their students.
In my workshops, I often ask teachers to pay close attention to the relationship they develop with their students. Does it reflect your true purpose and commitment for being a teacher? Does it reflect your respect, trust and caring for students? I have found that often the relationship between students and teachers can be enhanced or damaged when discipline issues are being dealt with. If you are calm, respectful, fair and firm when dealing with discipline issues, you will find that your students trust and respect you. If you are negative, punitive, threatening and disrespectful, the relationship will be damaged. It will be extremely difficult for students to learn from you. Brain research tells us that when a human being is frightened, anxious, or threatened, the brain loses it's ability to be creative and receptive to learning. Relationships can be healed, however, although it takes time. I find children to be resilient and forgiving when I make an effort to win back their trust and respect and when they know that I am committed to their safety and success.
The other issue that is extremely important is the classroom environment or culture that we create with our students. Is it one where students can be their unique, selves or do they have to look and act a particular way to please their teacher? Of course, there are behaviors that support safety and learning in the classroom and students should be encouraged to practice those behaviors, however, some students do not "fit the mold". We must honor and respect the variety of learning styles, temperament, and cultural diversity that shows up in America's classrooms. Our classrooms should be places where it is O.K. to take chances and make mistakes. The learning process requires that people take risks and make mistakes. Students should not feel that learning is only about having the right answer or getting an "A" on a quiz. Learning requires active engagement of students. Sometimes classrooms will get noisy. Sometimes students will need to speak without raising their hands. Sometimes students will "experiment" with the learning process in ways that enhance their critical thinking and problem solving skills. These behaviors should not be considered disruptive and inappropriate. They are what makes a Steve Jobs and a George Lucas who they are.
There are some tips that can support teachers in having a classroom that honors the diversity and humanity of our students, while making learning a joyous and satisfying experience for both the teacher and the students:
1. Have classroom discussions regarding what it takes to make a classroom a safe and supportive learning environment.
2. Encourage students to make "agreements" regarding their behaviors and goals in the classroom. Every agreement should be specific to having the classroom be a safe and successful environment for everyone. Discuss what consequences will be available to support students in keeping their agreements, i.e. if you play during work time, you trade play time for work time or if you argue or fight with a student, you will sign up for an after school conflict resolution seminar.
3. Provide opportunities for students to support one another in keeping their agreements. Set up a buddy or mentor system for problem students. Assign a task force to work with classroom situations that are causing problems with safety or success.
4. Make every effort to provide cooling off opportunities for students who demonstrate with attitudes or emotions that could disrupt learning. Have a "chill out area", journals, drawing materials, even stuffed animals for younger students.
5. Find time to have private "heart to heart" conversations with students who are being disruptive or having trouble succeeding academically. Find out what they need to keep their agreements. Provide whatever support is necessary to alter inappropriate behaviors.
6. Learn as much as you can about the psychology, neurology, and physiology of children. You will then better understand how to serve kids with social/emotional issues, ADHD, defiant-oppositional behaviors, etc. Do not punish these students for things that are out of their control. Teach them about their minds and bodies, so they can develop the ability to "manage; their impulses and behaviors. Children can learn to be responsible for their differences when given the information and support to do that.
7. Realize that your students are your greatest teachers and that you both learn a great deal when there are challenges and problems that require creative solutions.
Esther Wright, M.A. is a national education consultant and the author of several books including "Loving Discipline A to Z", "The Heart & Wisdom of Teaching" and "Why I Teach- A collection of Inspirational Stories". She is a classroom management counselor
posted by irondequoit @ 9:42 AM
0 comments
