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I won’t smile ’till Christmas! Class Management Failures pt. 2

September 9, 2008 – 5:56 pm

It always amazes me to hear teachers steeling themselves at the start of the year by saying, “I’m not going to smile until Christmas!”…as if their resolve to be unfriendly will help them with their classroom management problems.

This couldn’t be further from the truth.  Teachers who use fear tactics to manage student behavior will find their task of educating their students much more difficult.  Students naturally want to succeed, and when you’re the only adult in the classroom, these students will want to share their successes with you.  If you are unaproachable and distant from your students, you will find that over time, your students’ performance and motivation will decrease.

I take the opposite approach.  I smile broadly, especially when I’m feeling a bit stressed out by my students behaviors.  I find that when the students see your refusal to become flustered, over time they will stop trying to get you flustered.  When your students see that you approach a defiant student will a calm yet firm manner and a distinct refusal to become upset, your students defiant behavior will decrease.

I think what teachers are trying to say by their refusal to smile is that they are going to be very strict in the classroom.  I have no problem with strictness or, as I like to say it, consistency.  In fact, consistency must be the foundation of any classroom management system.

It’s when you combine your consistent implementation of your class management system with a calm, peaceful, and happy demeanor that you will be able to motivate your students to be their best.

Darren Barkett

DarrenB | Classroom Management Tips, Connecting with Students | Comments (0)

The Empty Threat Syndrome - Class Management Failures pt. 1

September 3, 2008 – 1:17 pm

For the next couple of posts, I want to take a moment to highlight some of the classic classroom management failures that plague many teachers.  Heck, I’ve been guilty of some of these as well.  And it’s usually the source of frustration for me, those moments when I failed as an effective classroom manager.  I end up going home thinking over that situation over and over and over, regretting a split decision or a comment made that can’t be taken back.

The classic class management failure I first want to speak of is the “Empty Threat Syndrome.”  If you set up a consequence for your student dependent on their behavior, you better follow through with your threat.  If you tell that student that you’re going to call that student’s parents if their behavior doesn’t improve, you better call that mom the next time that student doesn’t meet your class behavior expectations.

If you habitually threaten your students with some sort of consequence and you don’t deliver on your promise, what are you teaching your students about you as a teacher?  What are you saying about your word, your promises, as a teacher?  Is that what you’re trying to communicate to the students?  It seems like common sense, but in the thick of a stressful classroom management moment, if you don’t have a solid classroom management plan, many teachers fall back on the “old standby” - empty threats.

This just highlights the need for all teachers to have a simple and effective classroom management plan.  When you have a plan in place, it’s easy to avoid getting into the “Empty Threat Syndrome.”  With a solid class management system, you no longer need to threaten.  At most, you would need to remind students of expectations and consequences.  But once you’ve taught these class behavior expectations and consequences, you no longer need to threaten.

All you do then is consistently implement your behavior management system.

Coming next… “The Inconsistent Implementor”  A shocking tale in one part of a teacher torn asunder!

Thanks for coming around.

Darren B.

DarrenB | Classroom Management Tips, Teacher Tricks | Comments (0)

These students are the worst ever!

August 28, 2008 – 2:40 pm

They just keep getting worse and worse!

Have you ever heard a teacher say that?  If so, run in the other direction!  A teacher who has resigned himself or herself to seeing the students as getting worse and worse just hasn’t realized that the only thing getting worse and worse is that teacher.

My experience has been that it only takes one or two students to jade how you look at your entire year.  But for the most part, the students all want to succeed.  The vast majority of students want to do well.  It then becomes a matter of motivating the class to do what you want them to do and minimizing the negative impact of those very few students who simply won’t buy-in to your class.

The teacher who let’s their perspective be perpetually focused on those few negative students misses so much of what makes teaching great- those precious students who really are inspired by what you’re doing in the classroom, those students who look forward to a kind word from you all day, those students who take the time to write you a nice note telling you how much you’ve meant to him or her.

Wouldn’t you rather have your perspective of your students crafted by those positive moments instead of dwelling on those few negative students?  Wouldn’t you rather enjoy your teaching job instead of dreading getting up in the morning?

Each year it seems my students are getting better and better.  Could that be possible?  I hope so, because that means next year is going to be awesome!

Darren B.

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Check out my classroom blog to see what’s happening there!

August 26, 2008 – 5:46 pm

As many of you know, I’m teaching the 7th grade in a rural western North Carolina middle school.  I love teaching there as the students are so great and rewarding.

The school I work at, Canton Middle School, recently received a grant for a bunch of new technology to be integrated into classroom instruction.  A part of that grant included training and help implementing that technology.  And a part of that implementation is our classroom blogs.

I’ve just made my first post of the year on my classroom blog, but I’ll be adding small podcasts from my students later this week.  If you’re interested in what I’ve got going on in my classes, check out my other blog at Mr. B’s Language Arts Blog.

I’d love to hear a comment from my loyal readers out there!

Darren B.

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What is the most important first lesson of the year?

August 20, 2008 – 5:38 pm

More than almost anything else you can do as a teacher, the first lesson you should teach is really quite simple.  It won’t take you long to plan it.  It won’t even take long to teach it.  But failing to teach this simple lesson can doom you to another year of frustration.

What am I talking about?

It’s quite simple.  You must teach your students how to listen.

Yes, you read that correctly.  The first lesson you teach your students needs to be how to listen in your classroom.  Can’t you hear your students already?  “I already know how to listen!”

But, as we all know, hearing and listening are two entirely different things.  Hearing happens unconsciously.  Listening takes an active thought process to happen.

If you don’t teach your students how to listen, you’ll spend so much of your year repeating yourself to your students that you won’t be nearly as effective as you could be.

How many times have you taken the time to give very clear directions for a class lesson and then told the students to get to work, only to have a student or two say, “What are we doing?”

Clearly that student wasn’t listening.  Yes, he or she might have heard you, but the active listening process just wasn’t happening.

Yes, our students should know how to listen.  It seems silly that we, as professionals, would need to teach our students such a simple concept.  But take it from me.  When I look back on the two years I spent teaching without having taught my students how to listen, I remember so many more frustrating moments than in the following years when I took the fifteen minutes to cover this vital lesson.

So, how do you teach your students to listen?

My free online classroom management videos will walk you through the process.  Just click on the following link to be taken to our class management video download center.

Classroom Management Videos

Don’t make the mistake so many struggling teachers are making.  Take the time to teach your students how to listen.  It will make all the difference for you this year.

 Darren

 

DarrenB | Class Management Videos, Classroom Management Tips, Teacher Tricks | Comments (0)

Visit our Classroom Managment Forums!

July 24, 2008 – 2:44 pm

If you haven’t been to our forums in a while, you should stop by.  Things are picking up over there.

I’ve always been so impressed by the combined experience of our forums collaborating to help teachers trouble shoot and problem solve the difficult situations we face in our classes.  Even though I feel pretty secure with my classroom management, I love picking up a trick or two from the other pro’s out there.

And if you’re not a pro and just want a bit of help with something you know you’ll be facing in the class once our students come back, post it in the forums.  I’m sure someone will help you see a way through.

Here’s the link to our forums:  www.helpingteachersgrow.com/forums

Darren

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Classroom Management in Writing

July 11, 2008 – 7:08 pm

I’ve been taking a lot of time this summer to write my book.  No, it’s not the great American novel, even though I’ve got one of those lurking in the depths of my brain.  It’s my whole classroom management system and teaching philosophy rolled into one.

What’s interesting as I write this is that the simply process of putting down into words my management system and my teaching philosophy requires me to become even more clear on what I think makes a class run smoothly, what I think helps me as a teacher be successful.

And then trying to put that into a verbal expression that will help other teachers experience success like I have takes the challenge to an entirely new level!

I’m really enjoying this challenge, though.  I’d thought I would spend much of this summer creating more classroom management videos- and I was able to make one more- but I’m spending almost all my free time on this class management book.  When I get it finished I’ll let you know.  Already, it looks to be a solid solution to so many problems our teachers are having with the management of their students.

I know these systems work because they work for me and they work for others I’ve taught over the years.  I just can’t wait to spread this easy and powerful system to more and more teachers in the hopes that I can expand my influence beyond my classroom and school.

Be good out there.  I hope you’re getting more outside time than I am.

Darren Barkett

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Class Management on Vacation!

June 21, 2008 – 6:35 pm

Hey everyone!  I’m headed out of town for a week to relax at the beach with my family, but while I’m gone, if you haven’t seen my newest video on classroom management, head over to the website for a quick look.  In this ten minute free class management video, I show you how to create a system that gets your students to listen every time someone speaks in your class.  Doesn’t that sound good?

This system really works.  I’ve used it for over ten years, and, if you reinforce it consistently, you’ll be amazed at the changes it creates for you and your classroom environment.

Here’s the direct link to the sign up page to see my videos:  Classroom Management Videos

Let me know what you think or if you have any questions about how to implement the information into your classroom management system.  Also, when I get back I’m creating a whole new set of videos addressing new issues in your classroom, so let me know what you want me to cover!

I’ll think of you when I’m lounging on the beach!

Darren

DarrenB | Class Management Videos, Classroom Management Tips | Comments (0)

Ever Get Antsy With All This Free Time?

June 18, 2008 – 1:17 am

My first week home from school is always an adjustment for me.  My mind and body is so used to being constantly involved from the moment I get to school at 7:45 until the moment I leave work.  Now that I’ve got time to relax or reflect or exercise, it’s taking a bit for my mind to adjust.

Anyone else feeling this lag time?

True, summers off is a great perk of being a teacher.  But making that adjustment to having so much flexibility in my schedule is a lot easier said than done.  I no longer have to wolf down my food at lunch.  I don’t have to time out my bathroom breaks.  I can actually watch a bit of tv during the day if I am so inclined.

Last summer my family and I went on vacation the week after school was out.  This was a great way to transition into the summer.  By the time I returned from vacation, I’d completely adjusted to my new time frame.  This summer, though, our vacation is next week.  And I’m here with all this energy that had been focused on running my classroom.

Luckily I’ve got my classroom management training I’m working on producing for release this August.  It’s got me keeping focused more than in the past.  And it’s exciting to connect with other teachers out there who are looking for ways to grow over the summer.

I hope you’re finding ways to adjust to our wonderful summer schedule.  Let me know how you are coping.  And I’ll make sure I keep you informed on the progress of my latest classroom management videos.

If you haven’t seen my latest offering on how to get your students to listen to you every time you speak, check out the video at http://www.helpingteachersgrow.com/classroommanagement_freedownload.html

You’ll find both of my free videos available to you there.

Enjoy these long days of summer!

Darren B.

DarrenB | Class Management Videos, Happenings at Helping Teachers Grow, Teaching Philosophy | Comments (0)

That bitter sweet last day of school…

June 10, 2008 – 11:16 am

I had a couple extra minutes this morning since my children are already out of school, leaving me with several less tasks to do in my morning routine, so I thought I’d get one last blog post in before heading into seeing my 7th graders off for the summer.

The end of the year is always a bitter sweet moment for me. Especially when I’ve had such a great year. My students were top notch. I had so few discipline problems. The level of buy-in from my students was the highest it’s ever been. And we were able to accomplish so much! Their scores were high and their motivation was higher! I hate to see this crop of kids go.

But, as always happens in this job, they will go. And I’ll have a whole new batch in next year, ready to start the entire process over again. I love that about teaching, having a fresh start every year. That cyclical sense of time and process really helps me manage my personal growth, as no matter how rough a year gets, there’s always next year.

So, in a couple of hours, I’ll be on the bus lot, waving good bye to all those great kids I was blessed to work with this year. And, once they’re gone…it’s time to celebrate!

I hope you’ve had a great year and are looking forward to some very deserved time off!

Darren

DarrenB | Teaching Philosophy | Comments (2)