EDU 462 Article #2

Article number 2

How to Handle Students Who Complain and Talk Back When Sent to Time-Out

By: Michael Linsin, April 13, 2013

                Mr. Linsin addresses an area of classroom management that deals directly with a concern that I have. When disciplining a student, in this case sending a student to time-out, it becomes very clear to me that that student has already broken a rule. Because this student has already misbehaved to the point of needing time-out it is very probable that they are upset, or not interested in following the rules at this time. So why would I expect them as the teacher to go willingly and quietly to the time-out area? Mr. Linsin recognizes this issue and gives advice on steps to dealing with the behavior of the student who you have sent to time-out.

                The first thing that is shown in this article is to wait until the student has been seated and then approach the student calmly and then quietly explain what behavior is cause for the disciplinary action and then ask the student to go to the time-out area. As I have observed, the student in this example behaved in an inappropriate manner by causing a scene and talking back to the teacher. As the person in charge of the class it would be tempting to want to take any control away from the student who is now making a scene but, Mr. Linsin recommends the teacher ignore the scene and return to the activity of the class. There are several reasons given to ignore the student. By giving more attention to the situation the teacher is reducing the lesson to be learned by that student, as well as giving them inappropriate attention. By returning to the classroom activity or lesson the teacher does not take away from the lesson time the remainder of the class deserves.

                Not to let the incident go without any consequences the author recommends later in the day to simply give the student a note to be taken home to his/her parent to be signed and returned.

                I think this is good advice in many if not most situations. If the student continues to misbehave or is disrespectful to the teacher or classmates, I believe there should be further action taken. Also as the teacher I feel a follow-up conversation should be had with the student in private to address the behavior and what will be expected in the future.

                Here is the direct link to this article:   http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2013/04/13/how-to-handle-students-who-complain-and-talk-back-when-sent-to-time-out/

Article #1

            This article by Rebecca Alber addresses the need for the classroom to be a safe environment where students feel comfortable and safe. If a classroom is focused only on the lesson and the teaching of information to the students, rather than on the students, the environment will not be ideal for learning.

Ms. Alber explains the feeling of fear and insecurity that students have if they are afraid to answer a question incorrectly or fear they will be made fun of by other students. When a classroom is not focused on making the students feel safe, their defenses will be high, and as a result the students will not be in the right frame of mind to learn. As student’s defenses heighten the student is more likely to either misbehave, or shut down by becoming noninvolved in the classroom activities. It is also made clear that this is an environment that needs to be planted at the beginning of the year so that it can be nourished the remaining time in the class.

There are four essentials given in this article to aid in developing and maintaining this safe community for the entire year. First, assure that the community is strengthened during the year by including activities in the lessons that encourage students to express themselves. Second, allow students to be a part of the decision making process while making group guidelines. Essential number three is to have “Non-Negotiables”. These are rules that must be absolutely followed. An example given was no name calling. Any time that a Non-Negotiable is broken there are swift and immediate consequences. The classroom understands what these are from the beginning, and there are no exceptions to these rules. These rules help to maintain a safe community for all students. Finally post students work where they and all can see in the classroom. Rather than the teacher buying or making posters, have the students make the posters. Posting the students work will make them feel more valuable.

The information in this article is presented in a way to make it simple to understand the importance of a safe and inviting community. Keeping the classroom as a community where the students work together as a team and they have the freedom to express themselves allows them to be open to new information and have the freedom to learn.

 

Student Engagement

How are Happiness and Learning Connected?

March 4, 2013

Rebecca Alber, 

Contributing online editor, Edutopia

 

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/happiness-learning-connection-rebecca-alber