I love the emphasis on politeness. I can't see doing many of the specific things in my high school class, but I still am going to work on it where I can.
So far I feel that everything Ron Clark has listed in his rules are basic common sense, what I appreciate though is that he does not assume that his students are equipped with these skills. He explicitly teaches and models them for his students, then he expects and reinforces these behaviors. I think that's where a lot of teachers get into trouble, they assume that children have been taught to be respectful and responsible, but often times they do not fully understand our expectations. If only we took time at the beginning of the year to explicitly teach and model our expectations we'd set them up for success.
Off topic a bit...I shared some of the rules with my students today. They had some SSR time and I was reading Ron Clark. I was asked what kind of book I was reading. I shared his rule (#24?) about all students turning in all homework every day without exception. They thought it was a good rule! I was shocked because that is the class with the most missing assignments! I think I am going to put up a chart for each of the 3 classes and tally the number of days we go in a row without missing an assignment and see if we can rival his 62 in a row! They were psyched that he baked for them every day! Several asked if I was going to do that! I told them that we would agree on what that would be. I also told them there was another rule or two to go with that like the saying thank you for things received rule (#?) and how to eat things politely rule(about pg. 97 or so). They thought that was a good deal. Let's see how many different things I can bake in a row!!
Patti that would be great...good luck I hope that works for your classes. I know how it has been an issue in the past. If you need help, let me know. I think Ron Clark's "rules" can work for all of us in so many ways. Kids really tap into doing what is right and to be challenged to succeed. The "Wildcat Way" has been a positive tool for my class and I see it being used in the halls and other places. We really need to establish our school rules to help everyone be on the same page with them.
The very first day of school, I tried to talk to my students about replying with a "Sir" or "Ma'am" and they looked at me like I was from Mars! I guess I was raised the old fashioned way where it's polite to respond with those words of resprect. I told them I would love to see them try to do it, and so far I have only had one student say, "Yes ma'am, I will." I was shocked! I try to make sure when responding to them I am saying "Yes, sir" or "No, Ma'am" to model that for them. I don't think they're catching on! I also told them that if they would all get a 100% on a test, I would give them a pizza party. I had a couple of kids say, "That will NEVER happen!" But then there were also those that spoke up saying, "Yes it will, as long as we all do our best!" It is still yet to happen, but I believe sometime in our near future, we will be having pizza for lunch (and not just from the cafeteria!)
So far I feel that everything Ron Clark has listed in his rules are basic common sense, what I appreciate though is that he does not assume that his students are equipped with these skills. He explicitly teaches and models them for his students, then he expects and reinforces these behaviors. I think that's where a lot of teachers get into trouble, they assume that children have been taught to be respectful and responsible, but often times they do not fully understand our expectations. If only we took time at the beginning of the year to explicitly teach and model our expectations we'd set them up for success.
ReplyDeleteOff topic a bit...I shared some of the rules with my students today. They had some SSR time and I was reading Ron Clark. I was asked what kind of book I was reading. I shared his rule (#24?) about all students turning in all homework every day without exception. They thought it was a good rule! I was shocked because that is the class with the most missing assignments! I think I am going to put up a chart for each of the 3 classes and tally the number of days we go in a row without missing an assignment and see if we can rival his 62 in a row! They were psyched that he baked for them every day! Several asked if I was going to do that! I told them that we would agree on what that would be. I also told them there was another rule or two to go with that like the saying thank you for things received rule (#?) and how to eat things politely rule(about pg. 97 or so). They thought that was a good deal. Let's see how many different things I can bake in a row!!
ReplyDeletePatti that would be great...good luck I hope that works for your classes. I know how it has been an issue in the past. If you need help, let me know. I think Ron Clark's "rules" can work for all of us in so many ways. Kids really tap into doing what is right and to be challenged to succeed. The "Wildcat Way" has been a positive tool for my class and I see it being used in the halls and other places. We really need to establish our school rules to help everyone be on the same page with them.
ReplyDeleteThe very first day of school, I tried to talk to my students about replying with a "Sir" or "Ma'am" and they looked at me like I was from Mars! I guess I was raised the old fashioned way where it's polite to respond with those words of resprect. I told them I would love to see them try to do it, and so far I have only had one student say, "Yes ma'am, I will." I was shocked! I try to make sure when responding to them I am saying "Yes, sir" or "No, Ma'am" to model that for them. I don't think they're catching on! I also told them that if they would all get a 100% on a test, I would give them a pizza party. I had a couple of kids say, "That will NEVER happen!" But then there were also those that spoke up saying, "Yes it will, as long as we all do our best!" It is still yet to happen, but I believe sometime in our near future, we will be having pizza for lunch (and not just from the cafeteria!)
ReplyDelete