I like the way Linda is sitting.
Boy this is an interesting snippet. I know I frequently used this technique. This is the way we were taught. I think it was the only "discipline" idea the university gave me. I knew I was communicating with all the students who were not "sitting like Linda" but thought that was okay. I believed I was giving the message of what I expected and it worked in changing the behavior of others. As I think about it, it is not honest communication but rather manipulation. I like the "check yourself" statement much better. It allows the student to be in charge of their own behavior.
posted by Sarah @ 7:27 AM
18 Comments
18 Comments:
I agree. This does remind me of what I was taught in the Education program at school. Professors would always encourage me to use these sayings in order to correct the behavior of the students who were not following directions. In my classroom, I do say these things sometime and then I remember that it's important to reinforce what my expectation was in the first place. I often find myself saying, "I am looking for writing position. This means that your feet are flat on the floor, your chair is pushed close to the table, and your hands are showing me that you're ready to begin writing". I like the suggestion of using "check yourself". It is important, especially these days, to encourage personal responsibility. I often say privately to my students, "Are you making a good choice?", and often times they think about what they are doing by looking inside themselves.
After reading this section of the book I do catch myself using that old technique and have to reprogram my thinking! It is much better to be direct and honest in our expectations!
I agree. This is one of the old tried and true strategies that is a TOTAL manipulation, if you really think about it. Check yourself...great idea to hold the students responsible for how they are doing.
Hmmmmm...I really have to think about this one. Aren't we "manipulating" kids in this same way by offering them coins for good behavior? When handing them a coin, especially in front of others, aren't we silently saying,"I like the way you_____"
I know Theresa, I had the same thought. I have started giving the coins and quietly letting the student know what they are being caught doing without making a big deal in front of the other students.
This reminds me of the Toltec teachings in The Four Agreements. Anyone else read that?
I use this one a lot. I find it easier to focus attention on positive behavior, rather than negative behavior. IT also gets the kids doing what you expect them to do a lot quicker than if you correct all the ones that aren't following your expectations.
Wow! I can even remember being taught that you should comment on the positive behavior of 3 students before correcting someone's behavior. I don't usually follow the 3 person rule, still this "manipulation" might be a hard habit to break. I did find today that I was giving coins in a more private way.
I agree, I find myself using other students as examples instead of having students be responsible for themselves. It is going to to take time to redirect my comments to Check yourself. However, it does make sense.
This is true to if in fact, the goal is to give positive feedback to the student who is doing what is expected, then it should be done privately. The expected behavior that the teacher wants should be addressed by saying "I would like to see learning position, feet flat on the floor, eyes in front..."
I have used this with Kindergarten through Eighth grade and it works very well on many levels!
I love the "Check yourself". It's a great way to build individual responsibility which is sometimes difficult for my kiddos.It focuses them on their own behaviors instead of others behaviors. I need to remember "Next Time" with my own children as a redirect for behaviors I don't want to see again! I never thought of putting that picture in their head before.
I do remember the "Catch 'em begin good" concept being taught in college but never have followed through on the professors expectations. I have always focused on the whole class to redirect the learning environment. It works very well and produces positive learning.
Aah I say this all the time! Since reading this I have been trying to do it privately. It seems to be more meaningful.
I'm not sure what happened to my comments from this section, but here we go again. I don't think it's manipulative to state your expectations. I agree not to single any one child out. I often say, I expect to see...I'm waiting to see...Or have several students echo my instructions of current expectations. It's an SEI standard I believe, but it's an automatic thing to do in kindergarten to make sure the instructions were processed.
I am so guilty of this as I really do like to verbally compliment the students who are following the expectations. "Check yourself" will be good also, but not quite as big a motivator for primary students. I still think complimenting a whole group is fine. (I like the way all of you are getting your work done, etc.)
Does this really get kids to internalize and follow the expectations in their own way or just mimic the other student? The "check yourself" is a better indicator that the student actually understands the expectation.
I agree, whenever I have used this method it has backfired. It works much better for me to redirect a particular student, or the class to the expected behavior; and to individually praise students who are truly performing.
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