Outside, the temperatures have (thankfully) dropped, and trace amounts of rain have dampened the fuel for fires. Inside the classroom it is less stuffy and stifling and the students are settling into routines. However, the atmosphere isn’t always comfortable. As the students become more familiar with each other and with us, they are more likely to push limits. In middle school, more than other grade levels, this can mean that adult expectations take a second place to those of peers. They learn, often from our actions and reactions, how to push our “buttons.”
Thank you to the MSMS teachers who have shared with me, and with our new teachers, their successes with maintaining calmness and productivity in the classroom. Among the top strategies I have encountered are, Prevention starts with preparation, Be responsive rather than reactive, Keep the focus on (and reward) what to DO rather than what NOT to do, praise publicly but reprimand privately, incorporate behavior expectations into classroom routines, restate expectations calmly and frequently, and implement natural consequences consistently.
Although it may often seem that the Learning Directors spend the majority of time talking with students and parents regarding unresolved discipline issues from the classroom and those occurring outside during breaks and lunches, we are here to support your efforts at maintaining a productive, healthy, safe classroom environment. We are available to help you personalize and implement any of these proven strategies with your classes for a comfortable learning environment. Stay cool!
Thank you to the MSMS teachers who have shared with me, and with our new teachers, their successes with maintaining calmness and productivity in the classroom. Among the top strategies I have encountered are, Prevention starts with preparation, Be responsive rather than reactive, Keep the focus on (and reward) what to DO rather than what NOT to do, praise publicly but reprimand privately, incorporate behavior expectations into classroom routines, restate expectations calmly and frequently, and implement natural consequences consistently.
Although it may often seem that the Learning Directors spend the majority of time talking with students and parents regarding unresolved discipline issues from the classroom and those occurring outside during breaks and lunches, we are here to support your efforts at maintaining a productive, healthy, safe classroom environment. We are available to help you personalize and implement any of these proven strategies with your classes for a comfortable learning environment. Stay cool!