During this past week I taught a mini-lesson every day, every period. At times it was pretty boring thinking about how I would be teaching the lesson almost 20 times during the week, but then there would be a group of kids that would sit down with me and really have fun with the topic. To make the lesson more fun I had them answer questions using individual wipe-off boards. All they had to do was write the letter of the answer, but they got creative and began writing a word or sentence using the letter or even drawing detailed pictures. It was nice to be able to laugh with them and know that at the same time they were learning. Although I don’t like the monotony of teaching a lesson more than one day, I loved having only 3 to 5 students at a time to teach. It felt very rewarding.
I still have not found a discipline strategy that works best. At the middle school we hand out STEPS when the students misbehave, but they have become so used to them that the ones who misbehave don’t care. Usually the STEPS book is used as a threat. There has to be a better way!
To motivate students to be quiet and read for a certain length of time I’ve promised a couple of pieces of candy which seems to work, but I hate bribing them! Any of your suggestions would be appreciated.
To maintain a supportive environment I reassure the students that they can do it! Their answers and participation is important. If they are really leery of answering I tell them I understand the topic might be difficult, but I really want them to try. Sometimes some of the students’ answers blow me a way and I have to high-five them. It is so enjoyable when a student that is quiet speaks up and has something good to say, or if the student is usually a behavioral problem, but that day they contributed to the class. I’m sure those are the moments teachers live for.
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