Where I live it is spring, finally. Over the past couple of days I have had a bird (the same bird) fly into my window over and over again. I’m not exaggerating when I say this bird has flung itself against my window hundreds of times. I thought certain it would die from its efforts yesterday. This morning it started again. I sought the advice of friends and one told me to place paper over the window. I’m hoping that helps. I suppose the bird sees the reflection of a tree or himself in the window. But seriously, you’d think after maybe fifty slams the bird would learn.
However, the teacher in me noticed a parallel between that battering bird and the young college students I observe as they do their practice teaching in a real classrooms for the first time. Again and again I hear them say the same things.
When I notice that a few of these fledgling teachers call on the same students to answer all the questions they pose in front of the classroom, I ask them why they don’t ever call on students who don’t have their hands raised. They pause and say, “Oh, I don’t want to put them on the spot if they don’t know. I don’t want them to think I’m picking on them.”
My answer is always the same.
If you use a more random way to ask for answers, no one will believe you are putting them on the spot. Pull names from out of a jar or use a computer program that mixes the names randomly. Whoever’s name appears will need to be ready to answer. Using that strategy you will automatically engage more students. They know before you even begin teaching that they will need to listen.
You also are saying, “I know you can learn the material. I believe in your ability to learn.” More students will listen. More students will learn. More students will be engaged in the learning process. You aren’t putting anyone on the spot. You are saying “I believe that everyone in this classroom has the ability and the right to learn this material.” If they are slow to answer, give them the time to think it through. Experienced teachers call this “wait time.” Encourage and assist them. You only put students on the spot when you ridicule them if they don’t know the answer. Teach them. Walk them through the steps with no condescension. Allow no other students to make impolite comments. If you do this routinely they won’t automatically disengage when you begin to teach.
And while I’m still perched up here on the side of my nest looking down on my fledglings, let me address another common error in thinking. (Lest you think I’m lecturing, remember I speak from experience. I happened to have made ALL these same mistakes myself. I have the stories to prove it and I share them openly).
If you have a behavior management system in place, use it. If you don’t have a behavior management system in place, get one!
“Oh, but I feel bad making them switch their green light to red, or have them put a check next to their name, or worse, serve a detention!” I hear my baby birdie teachers say all the time.
Guess what? Even preschool-age students can quickly size up a teacher who is fearful of enforcing consequences. And when they do, you… are… toast. They then will do anything and everything to force you to set limits. They will push and push and push until you blow a gasket or collapse. The faster you enforce a consequence, the faster your entire class will come under control. Students will be learning instead of inventing ways to stir the pot just to get you to react. Your classroom will be safer and more learning will occur. Enforce the consequences early, fairly and without anger, and the situation won’t ever spiral out of control.
Side note: Since I taped paper over my windows this morning the bird has stopped ramming them.
Negative Action + Consequence = New Result
Sorry. I’m a teacher. I see a lesson in every event. It’s a disease of the profession.
I wonder what my neighbors think of my new window treatments? I’m a recent widow and they probably think I’m afraid of peeping toms. 🙂 Only my blogger friends will know the truth.
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