Okay. Just so you know. I'm on an old laptop with a faulty
keyboard. You should be your. Contest should be context.

On 11/05/09, Steve wrote:
>> I would think it is just me, but all special teachers (art,
>> music, PE, computer lab, reading specialists) have problems
>> with them too.
>> If any one can give me some direction, I'd appreciate it.
>> This is my 21st year, so I do have some experience under my
>> belt, but none of the tricks I pull out work for more than
>> a couple of days.
>> Please, I'm begging. My health and job are at stake.
>
> Wow. What a challenge.
>
> First rule for yourself is to remain calm and assertive at all
> times. Take you bias away completely. No anger, condescension
> or emotion. You need to disappear for this to be effective.
> If you have bias then the student will stand against you and
> ignore you.
>
> Second, create contest and be very specific. When you want
> something to change, ask and then create reasons why. Answer
> the question, "What's in if for me." Think as the other should
> be thinking.
>
> I can only say what I would do. It sounds like you may need to
> develop rules of conversation. After you do what I said above,
> I would take a step back form the content of the class for a
> few days an practice one thing at a time. First up would be
> conversation.
>
> The rules below are not for the students. They are for you.
> Don't tell them the rules. Use you actions to tell them the
> rules and always ask for what you want without bias.
>
> Rule one is that you speak and nobody else does without raising
> a hand. Remember not to say it that way. Ask. Don't tell
> them. Ask, it's important. Treat them as you would your
> pastor. Get a topic to talk about that is fun and practice
> this for some time. If someone speaks out, redirect to a
> raised hand. You will need to redirect many times. Don't get
> mad or angry, just keep with it and remind them of the rule.
> This rule is for you so don't break it by giving in even once.
> Calm and assertive.
>
> Rule two is to make eye contact. Direct students to make eye
> contact with you always. Demand it and redirect anytime you
> see anyone looking anywhere else. Make sure you have something
> interesting to say to keep their attention. If they are
> working on something themselves, the rule is that they do not
> talk and they work and stay to themselves. You must be there
> to scan the room and move around all the time. Don't sit at
> your desk and look at email. That won't work and you will be
> right back where you started.
>
> Rule three is for you as well. Use silence and don't say
> anything. Look at them as they look at you. Scan the room
> occasionally and make sure they are doing rule one and two as
> you pause for a moment of silence (5 seconds).
>
> Rule four: Constantly create context when there is a problem.
> Ask, positive, negative, positive. "Please make sure you make
> eye contact with me. This will ensure that you are paying
> attention and get the most from the class. If you choose to
> look away then you take the chance on receiving a consequence.
> If you look at my rugged good looks (humor is good) then
> everyone will be happy and the class will be very interesting."
> This is generic but you get the point.
>
> Use these four rules when you teach and make the four rules
> your goal and not the lesson. Focus on these as your own rules.
>
> Let me know how this works if you choose to try it. Talk to me
> one week later and I bet the class will be behaving. Just
> don't use anger or bias in any way. Smile on your face and be
> the one in charge, despite what they do. You already know that
> the class is made up of some difficult cases so accept that
> part. Deal with them where they are each day and make one
> improvement at a time, mostly in your routines. I've said this
> many times. No problem you face in the classroom is so band
> that it cannot be solved by simply changing your approach.
>
> On the topic of the girl that gets picked on. You should
> report that every time to the principal and parents and
> document everything. It's bullying and should not be tolerated
> ever. Notice it each time and send it to the principal and
> parents. That's due process and saves you trouble in the end.
> If it happens once on your watch then it's understandable. If
> it happens often then it's an issue with your supervision of
> the classroom. That's not easy to hear but it's the teachers
> job to stop it cold, every time it happens.
>
> Steve

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