The start of the year with any new grade/class/group is the fundamental time for any teacher to set in place their routines, rituals and class protocols. Without them, the students in your class don’t know who you are and don’t feel as if they belong in that grade. To help with creating your class culture, we’ve put together 6 strategies for you to use over the year.
Hope you enjoy!
Number 1: Develop your class protocols/rules
Developing shared protocols within any team is highly beneficial as it allows ownership of ‘how things will run’ and can be used for accountability when things are not adhered to. E.g. ‘You said you wanted this protocol/rule, yet you are doing the opposite’ and you can hold the student/team member to account.
Start by discussing with your class the following questions and place them on a large visual (paper and IWB) display:
- What helps our learning?
- What hinders (stops) our learning?
- How do you like your teachers to assist your learning?
- What don’t you like about teachers when it comes to helping your learning?
Once you have a list of thoughts for each sheet, ask the students to go off and pick their 10 most important ones from all the sheets combined. When finished, call for their ranked numbers (E.g. Who had this question as their most important, etcetera). You will soon find the most important and then you can ask what was the second most important and so on until you have your ‘TOP 10’.
Once you have the top 10, ask the students to come up with a rule/protocol for each of them. E.g. For a thought of ‘I like to learn in a calm environment’, a protocol or rule might be… ‘We talk calmly and in turn, except when it is required for us not to do so’.
When finished, type your rules up in BIG speech bubbles and laminate so that they can be placed in your room. As the year goes on, things may seem to stray off the path that you set. Simply, grab the corresponding bubble, place it up the front of your room and set it as a goal to refocus on and reward students who are doing the goal regularly.
Number 2: Create a reward system
Notice the key word… Reward. No matter who you are, you love being praised for doing ‘good’. It’s a natural, self-worth and psychological thing. Kids are no different. They love being rewarded so please, please, please create a reward system. You can:
- Place ticks on the board for good class behaviour
- Put marbles in a jar to work towards a whole class reward
- Earn fake money to cash in for reward activities
- And many more
Why not try this… It’s called Class Dojo and it’s a free registration assists in rewarding (both positive and negative reinforcement) your students in a competitive and visual manner. It can be easily shown on your IWB or iPad and the sounds that come with being rewarded and punished (dare I say it) soon become embedded in your students’ minds, and as soon as they hear a negative point being deducted, they all sharpen up their behaviour. *** Remember, if you want something to improve, you need to constantly reinforce the behaviour. The approach “This is what I expect, so you’ll need to do better than that to get a point” doesn’t really work.
With Class Dojo, you can also invite specialist teachers to add to the system, while parents/caregivers can also access how their child is performing by logging in and viewing reports from home. It is truly a wonderful resource! Read more about it here http://www.classdojo.com/about
We used our points to cash in for rewards like pencils, rulers, time on an iPad, etc. Worked really well!
Please register and log in to start trialling how you could use it for your class below:
Number 3: Attention Grabbing Techniques
Make sure that you develop attention grabbing techniques from the beginning to ensure consistency throughout the year. Here are some that we find work well:
- Use a rhythm clap and get the students to copy it back to you. Make sure that you reinforce the importance of listening at the same time.
- Say “1,2,3” and ask the kids to call back “Look at Me”, while again reinforcing the need to listen and not speak.
- Call out “Strike a Pose” or “Create a Statue”.
- Use a bell to signify listening time.
- Place your hand up and get the kids to copy. Naturally the mouth closes as the hand is raised.
- If you have an agreed listening response time ( 10 seconds after you ask for quiet), then ask for quiet and look at the clock. Tell them how long it took and try and beat that time.
- Use a catchy theme song like the Adams Family where you say “Na, Na, Na… Na” and the kids click their fingers twice.
Number 4: Use your voice properly
Too often, you see people use their voices inappropriately when talking to kids. Remember that they’re just kids and kids, like everyone, will misbehave at times. You don’t need to yell at them to get the point across.
When using your voice, make sure that you use it well for the situation that you’re in. This means if you are explaining something to your grade inside, use a calm and quiet voice. It will make them tune right in and listen carefully, while also allow you some room to raise it if you need to refocus someone’s attention.
Using a loud voice has its benefits, but your voice has a volume control that can be harnessed to maximise student behaviour. Use it wisely.
Number 5: Consequences (Can I give them consequences?)
Of course! Our world is built upon consequences. If there are none, then our world would be in utter chaos. Many teachers use a stepped approach to consequences which is beneficial to see if someone is clearly setting out to do the ‘wrong’ thing or not.
In the past, I have used a strike system, where:
- 1 Strike = Warning
- 2 Strikes = Miss part of a recess or lunch
- 3 Strikes = Miss a whole lunch (Contact Parents)
- 4 Strikes = Miss a whole lunch and recess (Contact Parents)
- After the 4th strike, any future strikes receive the same consequence (Meet with Parents and Principal)
The strikes stay up on the board for the whole term and the consequences are clearly stated and shown to the kids so that they know what will happen if they play up. It’s also really important to discuss what ‘warrants’ a strike with your grade and perhaps develop some examples for reference.
Number 6: Talk to the child’s parents
Keeping parents informed of their child’s behaviour at school is incredibly important to ensure that consistent messages and support is given at home and school to ensure the child gets back on track. Remember that we were all kids once and that we all stray at times. Discussing positive things that will make a difference or the strategies that you are trying at school with parents will not only show that you care, but will show your commitment to see the child improve.
The above are just a few tips that I have picked up over my years teaching various year levels. If you have any strategies or techniques that you know work, please share them below by leaving a comment.
Kuanza mwaka na darasa jipya ni wakati muhimu kwa mwalimu kuweka utaratibu wake, desturi na itifaki za darasa. Bila hizo, wanafunzi katika darasa lako hawajui wewe ni nani na hawajui kama wao ni wa darasa hilo. Ili kukusaidia kuunda utamaduni wa darasa lako, tumekusanya mikakati sita kwa ajili yako kutumia zaidi ya mwaka. Natumaini utafurahia! Kuendeleza itifaki za pamoja ndani ya timu yoyote ni muhimu sana kwani inaruhusu umiliki wa 'jinsi mambo yatakavyoendesha' na inaweza kutumika kwa uwajibikaji wakati mambo hayafuatwi. Kwa mfano. <unk>Umesema unataka itifaki hii/sheria, bado unafanya kinyume<unk> na unaweza kumfanya mwanafunzi/mshiriki wa timu awe na jukumu. "Kwanza na kujadili na darasa lako maswali yafuatayo na kuyaweka kwenye kioo kikubwa cha kuona (karatasi na IWB): ""Ni nini kinachotusaidia kujifunza?" - Ni nini kinachotuzuia kujifunza? - Je, unapenda walimu wako wakusaidie kujifunza? - Nini si kama kuhusu walimu linapokuja suala la kusaidia kujifunza yako? Baada ya kuandika orodha ya mawazo kwa kila karatasi, waulize wanafunzi waende na kuchagua 10 muhimu zaidi kutoka karatasi zote pamoja. Wakati kumaliza, wito kwa ajili ya namba zao nafasi (Kwa mfano Nani alikuwa na swali hili kama yao muhimu zaidi, na kadhalika). "Kama unajua, ""mfano"" ni muhimu sana, lakini unaweza kuamua ni nini muhimu zaidi, na hivyo juu, mpaka kupata ""mfano"" wa kwanza." Baada ya kuchagua 10 bora, waulize wanafunzi wafanye sheria au kanuni kwa kila mmoja wao. Kwa mfano. Kwa wazo la "Ninapenda kujifunza katika mazingira ya utulivu", itifaki au sheria inaweza kuwa... "Tunazungumza kwa utulivu na kwa zamu, isipokuwa wakati inahitajika kwetu kutofanya hivyo". Baada ya kumaliza, weka sheria zako katika vifuniko vikubwa vya hotuba na upande ili uweze kuziweka katika chumba chako. Kadiri mwaka unavyopita, huenda mambo yakaonekana kuwa yametoka kwenye njia uliyoiweka. Kuchukua Bubble ya kawaida, weka mbele ya chumba chako na kuweka kama lengo la kuelekeza na kuwapa zawadi wanafunzi ambao wanafanya lengo hilo mara kwa mara. "Mfano wa pili ni ""Mfumo wa Tuzo"" ambao unahusisha maneno muhimu kama ""Tuzo.""" Haijalishi wewe ni nani, unapenda kusifiwa kwa kufanya'mafanikio.' Ni jambo la asili, la kujithamini na la kisaikolojia. Watoto si tofauti. Wanapenda kupewa zawadi, kwa hivyo tafadhali, tafadhali, tafadhali, fanya mfumo wa thawabu. Unaweza: - Kuweka ticks juu ya bodi kwa tabia nzuri darasa - Kuweka marbles katika chupa ya kufanya kazi kuelekea tuzo darasa nzima - Kupata fedha bandia kwa fedha katika kwa ajili ya shughuli tuzo - Na wengi zaidi kwa nini si kujaribu hii... Ni aitwaye darasa Dojo na ni usajili bure husaidia katika tuzo (wote chanya na hasi kuimarisha) wanafunzi wako katika ushindani na njia ya kuona. "Hiyo inaweza kuonyeshwa kwa urahisi kwenye IWB yako au iPad na sauti zinazokuja na kuwa na thawabu na kuadhibiwa (naweza kusema) hivi karibuni huwa zimeingizwa katika akili za wanafunzi wako, na mara tu wanaposikia nukta hasi ikiondolewa, wote huongeza tabia yao. """ Kumbuka, ikiwa unataka kuboresha kitu, unahitaji kuimarisha tabia hiyo kila wakati. Mbinu ya <unk>Hii ni nini mimi kutarajia, hivyo unahitaji kufanya bora kuliko kwamba kupata uhakika<unk> haina kweli kazi. Kwa kutumia ClassDojo, unaweza pia kuwakaribisha walimu wa kitaalamu kuongeza kwenye mfumo, wakati wazazi na watunzaji wanaweza pia kupata jinsi mtoto wao anafanya kazi kwa kuingia na kutazama ripoti kutoka nyumbani. Kwa kweli ni rasilimali nzuri sana! "Kama unavyoona, ""Kupitia"" ni njia ya kuvutia ya kupata pointi za bure kama vile penseli, miongozo, wakati kwenye iPad, na kadhalika." Ilifanya kazi vizuri sana! "Kama unajua, unaweza kuanzisha ""mfano"" wa mafunzo ya kuvutia kwa kutumia mbinu za kuvutia kutoka mwanzo hadi mwisho wa mwaka." Hapa kuna baadhi ambayo tunapata kazi vizuri: - Tumia makofi ya mdundo na kuwafanya wanafunzi kuiga tena kwako. Hakikisha kwamba unasisitiza umuhimu wa kusikiliza wakati huohuo. - Sema <unk>1,2,3<unk> na uwaulize watoto wapigie <unk>Nitazame<unk>, wakati tena kuimarisha haja ya kusikiliza na si kuzungumza. - Piga sauti "Piga pose" au "Fanya sanamu". - Tumia kengele ili kuonyesha wakati wa kusikiliza. - Weka mkono wako juu na kupata watoto kunakili. Kwa kawaida mdomo hufungwa mkono unapoinuliwa. Ikiwa una muda wa kusikiliza ulioamuliwa (sekunde 10 baada ya kuomba utulivu), basi omba utulivu na angalia saa. Waambie ni muda gani ulichukua na jaribu kushinda wakati huo. - Tumia wimbo wa wimbo kama wa Familia ya Adams ambapo unasema <unk>Na, Na, Na... Na<unk> na watoto wanapiga vidole vyao mara mbili. Somo la nne: Tumia sauti yako kwa usahihi Mara nyingi, unaona watu wakitumia sauti zao kwa njia isiyofaa wanapozungumza na watoto. Kumbuka kwamba wao ni watoto tu na watoto, kama kila mtu, watakuwa na tabia mbaya wakati mwingine. Huna haja ya kupiga kelele ili kueleza jambo hilo. Unapotumia sauti yako, hakikisha kwamba unaitumia vizuri kwa hali unayo. Hii inamaanisha ikiwa unaelezea kitu kwa darasa lako ndani, tumia sauti ya utulivu na ya utulivu. Itakuwa kufanya yao tuning haki katika na kusikiliza kwa makini, wakati pia kuruhusu baadhi ya chumba cha kuinua ni kama unahitaji refocus mtu makini. Kwa sababu sauti ya sauti ya juu ina faida zake, lakini sauti yako ina udhibiti wa kiasi ambacho kinaweza kutumiwa kuongeza tabia ya mwanafunzi. Tumia kwa hekima. Somo la 5: Madhara (Je, ninaweza kuwapa matokeo?) Bila shaka unaweza! Ulimwengu wetu umejengwa juu ya matokeo. Ikiwa hakuna, basi ulimwengu wetu ungekuwa katika machafuko makubwa. Walimu wengi kutumia mbinu ya hatua kwa matokeo ambayo ni muhimu kuona kama mtu ni wazi kuweka nje ya kufanya "mbaya" kitu au la. "Kama ilivyoelezwa hapo juu, ""Mshtuko wa kwanza ni ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa"" au ""Kushindwa.""" Pia ni muhimu sana kujadili nini 'warrants' mgomo na daraja lako na labda kuendeleza baadhi ya mifano kwa ajili ya kumbukumbu. "Mfano wa ""kuwasiliana na wazazi"" ni kuwajulisha wazazi kuhusu tabia ya mtoto wao shuleni ili kuhakikisha kuwa ujumbe na msaada unaofuata unatolewa nyumbani na shuleni ili kuhakikisha mtoto anarudi kwenye njia yake." Kumbuka kwamba sisi sote tulikuwa watoto wakati mmoja na kwamba sisi sote hutembea kwa njia isiyofaa nyakati nyingine. Kuzungumzia mambo mazuri ambayo yatakuwa tofauti au mikakati ambayo unajaribu shuleni na wazazi sio tu kuonyesha kwamba unajali, lakini pia kuonyesha kujitolea kwako kuona mtoto akiboresha. Hizi ni baadhi tu ya vidokezo ambavyo nimepata katika miaka yangu ya kufundisha ngazi mbalimbali za mwaka. Kama una mbinu au mbinu ambazo unajua zinafanya kazi, tafadhali kuzishiriki hapa chini kwa kuacha maoni.