1. Be firm, fair, and consistent. (I actually learned this in my first education class. It’s one of those things that sounds simple, but it’s not always easy.)
*Keep cool, calm, and use a quiet voice. (As you lower your voice and breath slowly you will “pull” them in.)
2. Follow a daily schedule.
*Start each day in a happy way. (Of course, a Dr. Jean silly song always works.)
*Use routines and rituals. (My handshakes, attention grabbers, and cheers are what I’m talking about.)
3. Communicate clearly and concisely. (Say what you mean and mean what you say.)
*Use your body language, facial expression, and tone of voice. (Develop your own “look” that means “get it together now!”)
*Use sign language.
4. Have classroom rules that are few, simple, and affirmative. (Let’s hear it for the “Rules Rap.”)
*Be specific about what is acceptable and unacceptable behavior. (You may do this, but you may not do that!)
5. Use positive guidance techniques.
*Redirect. (Give them something positive to do to replace the negative behavior.)
*Natural consequences. (You hurt Juan’s feelings. How can you make him feel better?)
*Discipline in private. (I found it worked best to pull a child quietly aside, hold their hands, look in their eyes, and talk to them about what they needed to do.)
6. Prevent problems whenever possible.
*Divide and conquer. (Separate those trouble makers!)
*Problem solve with the children. (Talk to them when there is a classroom issue. Get their input into how to improve the situation.)
*Observe and document. (Children tell us things by their behavior. Do they argue over a classroom object? Are they fidgety before math? How can you manipulate the environment and schedule to alleviate the issue?)
7. Use a variety of teaching strategies and grouping techniques. (Another timeless tip I learned my first year in college was to vary the instructional strategies. You can’t do the same thing over and over.)
*Large group.
*Small group.
*Independent.
*Choices.
8. Provide children with opportunities to vent energy.
*Brain breaks. (This is nothing new. Children have always needed to wiggle. And teachers need to wiggle, too!)
*Sing and dance. (I’ve got lots of free videos to help you.)
*Exercise.
*Talking recess. (Let them have a babble break and just walk around the room and chit-chat with their friends for a few minutes.)
9. Only do what only you can do!
(Don’t wear yourself out doing menial tasks.)
*Encourage children to accept responsibility.
*Be a model for them. (They won’t know how to wash the tables or put away materials if you don’t demonstrate first.)
*Set high expectations. (It’s amazing what little children can do if you expect it.)
10.Keep a bag of tricks up your sleeve!
You Knock My Socks Off!
You will need an old pair of socks, a stick, and a piece of string 18” long for this project. Tie a sock to each end of the string. Tie the middle of the string to the stick. When children do something outstanding, take the stick and wave it in the air as you say, “You knock my socks off!”
Mr. Good for You!
A cloth glove, markers, fiberfill, and pipe cleaner are all you need to make a “good for you hand.” First, draw a happy face on one side of the glove with the markers. Fill the glove tightly with fiberfill or another stuffing. Gather the bottom of the glove and secure with a pipe cleaner. Children get “Mr. Good for You” and pat themselves on the back when they accomplish a new task.
A cloth glove, markers, fiberfill, and pipe cleaner are all you need to make a “good for you hand.” First, draw a happy face on one side of the glove with the markers. Fill the glove tightly with fiberfill or another stuffing. Gather the bottom of the glove and secure with a pipe cleaner. Children get “Mr. Good for You” and pat themselves on the back when they accomplish a new task.
Flashlight Spotlight
Take a flashlight and shine it on a child who is modeling the behavior you are looking for. “Spotlight on (child’s name). He’s got his math book and he’s ready to learn.”
Happy Chappy
You will need some lip balm with a fragrance. Gently rub children’s right hand with a “happy chappy” when they are following directions.
Peace Flower
When two children have a disagreement let them hold the flower with both hands as they look at each other. When they have resolved their conflict they can hug and to back and play.
Would you like to see me demonstrate some of these?
