Re: HD is a blessing!
Posted by Mrs. G. on 8/19/08
Tom,
So far, the request for supportive behavior has worked.
If I need to progress further, I will take action based on the
behavior. (For example--Chatty kid = switch seats or move seat
to the back away from everyone else). I let them know from Day
One that they are to honor my requests the first time they are
given, and if they don't think what I've requested is fair,
then they can talk to me between classes or before/after school
with an agreeable alternative. I've explained to them that my
request is my way of giving them what they need to be a more
supportive member of our class--but if they can come up with
other ways to accomplish this, I'd be happy to hear them.
I also have the book you mention. I've only read it halfway
through. Wish there were more high school examples in it!
On 8/19/08, Tom wrote:
> Mrs. G,
>
> I'm so happy for you!!! That's great that you are feeling so
> much more calm and confident this year. And I love your
> statement about high expectations! Ironically, I was
> reading "It's Being Done: Academic Success in Unexpected
> Schools" last night, and that concept was reinforced time
> after time.
>
> Question: Are you using any sort of step progression, or
> just the request for support?
>
> Best of luck to you, and keep us posted!
>
> All my best,
>
> Tom
>
>
>
> On 8/19/08, Mrs. G. wrote:
>> Tom,
>>
>> Last year--and even this summer--I wasn't sure how
>> successful I would be at implementing HD.
>>
>> We're starting Day Five tomorrow. It is going so
>> smoothly! On Day One, I told them my 3 rules--which I
>> changed to expectations--I expect you to positively
>> support everyone's safety, well-being, and right to
>> learn. I expect you to solve your problems without
>> causing a problem for anyone else. I expect you to treat
>> everyone and everything respectfully, even if you don't
>> feel like being respectful.
>>
>> We talked a lot about supportive and unsupportive behavior.
>> I told them that if we support each other, we aren't
>> stressed out and we can be successful.
>>
>> I don't use your script word for word, but when I catch
>> unsupportive behavior, I just remind the class or the
>> student, "Positive, supportive behavior please". Some of
>> the students will say it before I get a chance.
>>
>> I've got 9th graders that I've never taught before and
>> I've got older students for the first time who have been
>> discipline problems in the past for other teachers--but so
>> far, not for me. :-)
>>
>> I'm learning what being the alpha dog looks like and
>> sounds like. I was way too uptight and stressed out and
>> unsure of myself last year and this year I'm coming in
>> confident that I can handle the worst behavior issue.
>>
>> Everyone else out there who isn't sure HD will work--Tom's
>> right--you have to BELIEVE it WILL work. You have to
>> believe that these kids have kindness in their heart and
>> want to do what's right. Then, expect it. And they'll
>> give it to you.
Posts on this thread, including this one
- Tom, HD is a blessing!, 8/19/08, by Mrs. G..
- Re: HD is a blessing!, 8/19/08, by Tom.
- Re: HD is a blessing!, 8/19/08, by Mrs. G..
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