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  Teachers Resource Force

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5 signs your behaviour management strategy is all wrong.

27/10/2016

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Behaviour management is right up there as being the most significant and toughest part of teaching: without control you simply cannot teach. 

Here are 5 signs that your behaviour strategy is all wrong. If you find you are doing some of these, don't worry, I'll give you an alternative strategy you can try instead!
5 signs your behaviour management strategy is all wrong.
Mistake number 1: You're punishing the whole class because of the actions of a few
So there are a handful of students being disruptive and you think it's just easier to keep them all behind so their classmates get annoyed with them too in the hopes that will make them stop. Here's the problem with that - you're punishing students who have done nothing wrong. You'll end up creating resentment and you may lose the good behaviour of those few who are behaving right, not to mention giving them very mixed signals. I learnt this lesson when I was a student myself: a teacher of mine once kept my whole class behind for an hour after school to clean the classroom as "punishment"... except I never stepped a foot wrong - and I'm apparently still mad about it!? I wonder what that taught the "naughty" kids...

So what can you do instead: 

I know it can feel like it's the whole class playing up, but I bet you it isn't. Start making a note of students talking / misbehaving - I mean actually write it down so they can see you are targeting them. You can choose to keep your list private and make them a little uneasy, or you can put the names up on the board. Then come consequence time you know who to deal with and who can be let free to run to the front of the canteen at lunchtime! 
Mistake number 2: You're shouting at them
Yes, kids are loud. Yes, you know they're not going to hear your "regular" voice if you try to get their attention. Yes, you're cross and want them to know it. However, you still don't actually need to shout! Not only is it not nice being shouted at (we're trying to guide them the right way and model the behaviour we want to see, remember) but it is also highly ineffective if used too frequently. I kid you not, I overheard this exact conversation with two 13 year old boys recently: "Mr _____ shouts so much. I don't know why he bothers, he does it so much no one even takes notice any more." Yep, that kid is 13 and he gets it. If you shout a lot, eventually your students will get used to it and your voice will have no impact - then what are you going to do? Get a megaphone?! 

So what can you do instead: 
I know it can feel like shouting is the only way to get them to hear you, but it really isn't. I'm known as being a very quiet teacher, not because I never "need" to shout, but because I use other effective strategies. Try "the look": just stare at them with a look of expectancy, boredom, anything! You'll have a few lovelies that spot it and start shushing everyone. You can also try clapping in rhythm, writing a sentence on the board, doing a dance, walking around talking to yourself until they start wondering what you are doing... anything that they won't be expecting from you will get their attention, trust me, and you won't need to raise your voice one little bit! The beauty of this is that if you ever do need to shout (in case of emergency, for example) you know they will take notice. Be sure to keep mixing up your strategies though to ensure they are kept on their toes and get creative and have some fun with it!
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Mistake number 3: You're worrying whether they like you
Yes, positive relationships are key in the classroom but being worried about whether students like you or not will prevent you from doing your job and being the teacher that your students need. You think deep down they'll like you better if you let them off handing their homework in late today, or you give in when they beg you for something they are not allowed, bribing you with words such as: "Oh please let me just chew this gum, you'll be the best teacher ever!" LOL yeh, 'cos that's what makes a great teacher...!

So what can you do instead: 
Let me tell you something. Your students want you to be strict, fair and consistent, regardless of what they say in front of the class. By letting them off the hook for things, giving in, being too worried about sanctioning them, you're actually letting them down. They need you for guidance. You need to teach them the right way to behave and they need to learn that every action has a consequence: good or bad. 
Mistake number 4: You're not keeping them engaged
Sure, a lot of the time we wonder why kids behave in such ridiculous ways! But sometimes, we need to take the responsibility... Don't get mad at me! Think about it - have you been asking your students to do the same task in silence for the past 50 minutes with no variety, no stopping to talk to them, no physical activity? What do you expect is going to happen! Unless you have a class full of angels (or they're doing a test..!) the chances are they are going to get restless. Think about the last time you were in the world's most dull meeting where you literally had to sit there for 45 minutes with no opportunity to change task or focus... I rest my case.

So what can you do instead: 
Ensure your lessons have pace and never give them a chance to get restless. Get them changing activities regularly, get them up and about, then talking, then quiet, then whole class discussions, then video clips, then peer work, then quizzes.... you get the idea! Keep it fresh, keep them busy, keep them managed. 
Mistake number 5: You're taking their poor behaviour personally
Ahh we are such emotional souls, aren't we...! We've gave up so much of our evening preparing resources for this class, and this is how they choose to repay us?! We're hurt, hurt! [Gold star if you get the Friends reference!]

So what can you do instead: 
Listen, despite what I said in number 4, most of the time it is nothing to do with us, especially if their "off" behaviour is out of the ordinary. It could be stuff going on at home, a previous lesson (a-hem, thanks previous teacher who decided to reward the class with chocolate before sending them to me...) or it could be that they've just come back from lunch and they are completely preoccupied with the dramas of "what she said, then he said, then she said"...! It's not you, they're just kids! Apply some of the tips I have shared with you today and remember, they need you to be consistent. 
5 signs your behaviour management strategy is all wrong. @resourceforce
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Fun Remembrance Day Ideas for your Secondary Classroom

23/10/2016

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Remembrance day is coming up in a few weeks. As well as the 2 minute silence, I always like to make an extra effort and mark this special day in my classroom as well. It's a wonderful opportunity for Character Education and teaching empathy. I've added a few more ideas to my bank of resources and I want to share them with you!
Before doing any activities, it's handy to teach your students what the significance of the poppy is all about. This video explains it well:
Idea 1: Get Crafty
If you have the time and opportunity to get a little crafty in your room, there are some fantastic poppy themed craftivities around! These would make gorgeous displays, and if prepared a few weeks in advance, they could also be sold to raise money for charity. In the UK, our charity is the Royal British Legion who offer lifelong support for the Armed Force community: this would be great, creative way for your school to contribute to the local community! You can find the original source of these activities here.
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Find these at "Mum In the Mad House"
I think anything wearable would work particularly well for raising money: e.g. badges, hair clips, necklaces, head bands etc. plus, the paper plants are pretty cute too!
Idea 2: Video
Usually when we all do the 2 minute silence  I think it's hard for some of our students to know exactly what to think about... You know they don't really "get it" if you see them giving each other looks, or worse, if they start giggling. I think a good way of ensuring they understand the significance of this mark of respect, is to show them a video 5 minutes before the silence that will really ring home why we are doing this. By having a visual, hard hitting resource to refer to, it will make much more sense in their heads:
Idea 3: Relaxing colouring pages
Another way of ensuring they are taking real time to think of those who died for us, is by marking out a space of 15-20 minutes for them to reflect on the video while colouring in some Remembrance Day Quotes. This resource is actually brand new to my TpT store and includes 5 quotes marking respect of those who lost their lives. You could play some videos about Remembrance day or the "Last Post" trumpet music while they colour for a real impact. These will look lovely decorated in your classroom or even in the staffroom afterwards.
Remembrance Day Coloring Pages @resourceforce
Remembrance Day Coloring Pages @resourceforce
Remembrance Day Coloring Pages @resourceforce
Idea 4: Ready to Go PowerPoint and Activities
If you want to go into more detail on Remembrance Day and teach your students the history of the day as well as encourage them to reflect on their learning with fun literacy and design activities, then I have a resource that is all ready to go for you: it includes a PowerPoint and fun printables.
Remembrance Day Activities @resourceforce
Idea 5: Free Writing Prompt
Finally, I have added a free resource in the VIP Area for your students to complete a piece of writing on what they would say to those fallen heroes who sacrificed themselves so we could live. This will really get them thinking hard about the subject and getting in touch with their emotions, all whilst working on their literacy skills. You can download this for free, along with a range of other free resources, in the VIP Area. For help in registering click here.
Remembrance day is coming up in a few weeks. As well as the 2 minute silence, I always like to make an extra effort and mark this special day in my classroom as well. This year I've added a few more ideas to my bank of resources and I want to share them with you!
Download this free writing prompt from the VIP Area
I hope this has given you some ideas for incorporating Remembrance Day in your classroom this year. Do  you have a question? Something to add? Let's chat in the comments below - I respond to every comment :)
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7 top tips new teachers should learn asap

12/10/2016

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Hey! So you may or may not know, but I am currently a mentoring a student teacher again and I am absolutely loving it! Here are some of the things I have been teaching my trainee...!
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"Knowledge has a beginning but no end."
We're 5 weeks into the new school year and my student teacher has come such a long way already! I've been sitting here reflecting on progress we've made so far, and I wanted to share the top things my student has learned in these short few weeks. These might help you if you're a new teacher of if you're mentoring or thinking about being a mentor in the future. So, here we go!
Top 10 things all new teachers need to learn asap! www.teachersresourceforce.com
1) Always write detailed lesson plans - it gets you thinking about your lessons in the right way.
2) Reflect on every lesson - the good, the bad, the ugly and set yourself targets based off of these reflections.
3) Greet your students outside the classroom first to establish yourself as being in control of the room.
4) Always have extra resources / activities available for the early finishers.
5) Don't be afraid to adapt your lesson if your activities or ideas don't work how you planned.
6) Keep an eye on the clock and leave enough time to pack away - it often takes longer than you think.
7) Have an arsenal of games and activities you can do at the end of the lesson in case you finish early.
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If you're interested in learning more, I've gone into more detail on each of these points giving more detailed advice and I've added 3 more tips to make it a nice round number, in this free 4 page resource on top 10 things all new teachers need to learn - asap! You can click the link to download and get a free subscription to my newsletter for more goodies, ideas, hints and tips on innovative teaching!
Top 10 things all new teachers need to learn asap | Teachers Resource Force
Free download and also get free exclusive resources sent to your email!
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