Discipline help!

by Kristin

Sep 5, 2011

I am a student teacher learning to be a PE teacher. I graduate in Dec. My placement is with K-5 students right now. I am trying to be pro-active with discipline and set a foundation just in case bad behavior decides to arise. I want to come up with a neat idea for a discipline center to go in the gym. But everything I come up with ends up with the student sitting down. I am looking for something where they are still active but they would rather be joining the rest of the class in a fun activity. I have thought about a chore type of center where its like they are at home (sweeping, dusting, and various cleaning skills etc.) Any suggestions or help with things to completely avoid or to try full force? Also, any advice for student teaching would be much appreciated. :)

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Sara On 9/05/11, Kristin wrote:

Every school is different - it's unrealistic to look for a blanket solution that will work for every school community. Are you already teaching? What's happening that's so bad that the child deserves to be sent away from the group?

I'd need to know the answer to that before saying much. In PE kids are m...See MoreOn 9/05/11, Kristin wrote:

Every school is different - it's unrealistic to look for a blanket solution that will work for every school community. Are you already teaching? What's happening that's so bad that the child deserves to be sent away from the group?

I'd need to know the answer to that before saying much. In PE kids are moving and kids will get bumped - by accident -and then conflict arises but you can't get drug down by that or stop class for it. Tell them that - 'it wasn't intentional and we've got to be big enough inside ourselves and caring enough of this class and each other to - keep on getting the job done and the job right now is gym - let's get fit and have fun both. Stop squabbling."

That's my discipline. Only if some kid intentionally hauls off and hits another do I stop the class and then - depending on the emotions I see - maybe tell a kid - go sit down.

Because in that moment, it can't be all things. I admire your interest in having them keep moving - in this fat nation we've become we've got to get moving and keep moving - but... it can't be all things in any one moment and in the moment when something bad has happened then a kid does have to go and sit down. You have a class to teach and that kid has shown their emotions to be out of control.

I tell them - "You can come back when you are in control of yourself and there will be no more outbursts and no more hitting. Hitting is unacceptable. It is not how problems are solved."

I don't seek to punish - I seek to problem-solve and to have them be active problem-solvers too. Emotions can run high but they are kids and just learning to control and channel their emotions. What are we punishing them for? For having emotions?? They're not robots and it's frustrating to lose a game and group life is not smooth. They have feelings but with our help they can learn to deal with their feelings, learn to lose and win, and learn to keep fit.

But sometimes, not often, someone has to go and sit down - but in my opinion, only when something pretty bad has happened and that's usually hauling off and hitting in frustration or - someone gets mad a girl who's a great shot and whispers a derogatory 5 letter word in her direction because her ability has made some boy jealous. Usually I won't sit someone out for that either but they had better apologize immediately and look like they mean it or I will.

The class should keep discipline problems down to a minimum simply because gym class does let them move rather than imprison them in a chair taking notes from a board. They really should be having fun most of the time in gym or there's something wrong with the lesson.

What to avoid? Dodge ball. Get hold of the books that emphasize 'cooperative games' where there is no winner and no loser. The book is called "New Games" and "More New Games".

Full force? Teach them resting pulse and to take theirs. Teach them 'body-mass index' but don't take theirs to avoid embarrassing the 1 out of 3 kids that are obese now. Push for gym class to be right after lunch. Encourage the idea that a class is a community. Make up different teams - Jan. through June Team vs. July - December birthdays.

Have fun.

> I am a student teacher learning to be a PE teacher. I > graduate in Dec. My placement is with K-5 students right > now. I am trying to be pro-active with discipline and set a > foundation just in case bad behavior decides to arise. I > want to come up with a neat idea for a discipline center to > go in the gym. But everything I come up with ends up with > the student sitting down. I am looking for something where > they are still active but they would rather be joining the > rest of the class in a fun activity. I have thought about a > chore type of center where its like they are at home > (sweeping, dusting, and various cleaning skills etc.) Any > suggestions or help with things to completely avoid or to > try full force? Also, any advice for student teaching would > be much appreciated. :)

Sep 11, 2011

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Kristin Sara- I am student teaching at the moment. It seems that the "sit out" option is the blanket solution I am trying to avoid. But I agree that one solution is not best for all but I should have been more specific. I am looking for a sort of center where they could complete one of multiple tasks that they don't enjoy but are still physically active. I...See MoreSara- I am student teaching at the moment. It seems that the "sit out" option is the blanket solution I am trying to avoid. But I agree that one solution is not best for all but I should have been more specific. I am looking for a sort of center where they could complete one of multiple tasks that they don't enjoy but are still physically active. I have them apologize or I will quickly say something to them if the problem wasn't major and it usually works. But a good example of isolating a student would be when a student consistently is not listening and is talking when I'm talking; also, if they intentionally hit another child. The punishment idea would technically be more as a threat. I know that if I am doing my job then students shouldn't be misbehaving, but misbehaving is going to happen. So versus becoming a problem-solver, I'm trying to be pro-active, in order to try avoid bad behavior before it happens. That's what I need help with. The punishment idea wouldn't last during the entire lesson but just for a few short minutes, like sweeping the floor or doing some sort of chore. Thanks for the teaching advice, I definitely know to stay away from dodgeball.

Thanks! On 9/11/11, Sara wrote: > On 9/05/11, Kristin wrote: > > Every school is different - it's unrealistic to look for a > blanket solution that will work for every school community. Are > you already teaching? What's happening that's so bad that the > child deserves to be sent away from the group? > > I'd need to know the answer to that before saying much. In PE > kids are moving and kids will get bumped - by accident -and > then conflict arises but you can't get drug down by that or > stop class for it. Tell them that - 'it wasn't intentional and > we've got to be big enough inside ourselves and caring enough > of this class and each other to - keep on getting the job done > and the job right now is gym - let's get fit and have fun both. > Stop squabbling." > > That's my discipline. Only if some kid intentionally hauls off > and hits another do I stop the class and then - depending on > the emotions I see - maybe tell a kid - go sit down. > > Because in that moment, it can't be all things. I admire your > interest in having them keep moving - in this fat nation we've > become we've got to get moving and keep moving - but... it > can't be all things in any one moment and in the moment when > something bad has happened then a kid does have to go and sit > down. You have a class to teach and that kid has shown their > emotions to be out of control. > > I tell them - "You can come back when you are in control of > yourself and there will be no more outbursts and no more > hitting. Hitting is unacceptable. It is not how problems are > solved." > > I don't seek to punish - I seek to problem-solve and to have > them be active problem-solvers too. Emotions can run high but > they are kids and just learning to control and channel their > emotions. What are we punishing them for? For having emotions?? > They're not robots and it's frustrating to lose a game and > group life is not smooth. They have feelings but with our help > they can learn to deal with their feelings, learn to lose and > win, and learn to keep fit. > > But sometimes, not often, someone has to go and sit down - but > in my opinion, only when something pretty bad has happened and > that's usually hauling off and hitting in frustration or - > someone gets mad a girl who's a great shot and whispers a > derogatory 5 letter word in her direction because her ability > has made some boy jealous. Usually I won't sit someone out for > that either but they had better apologize immediately and look > like they mean it or I will. > > The class should keep discipline problems down to a minimum > simply because gym class does let them move rather than > imprison them in a chair taking notes from a board. They really > should be having fun most of the time in gym or there's > something wrong with the lesson. > > What to avoid? Dodge ball. Get hold of the books that emphasize > 'cooperative games' where there is no winner and no loser. The > book is called "New Games" and "More New Games". > > Full force? Teach them resting pulse and to take theirs. Teach > them 'body-mass index' but don't take theirs to avoid > embarrassing the 1 out of 3 kids that are obese now. Push for > gym class to be right after lunch. Encourage the idea that a > class is a community. Make up different teams - Jan. through > June Team vs. July - December birthdays. > > Have fun. > > >> I am a student teacher learning to be a PE teacher. I >> graduate in Dec. My placement is with K-5 students right >> now. I am trying to be pro-active with discipline and set a >> foundation just in case bad behavior decides to arise. I >> want to come up with a neat idea for a discipline center to >> go in the gym. But everything I come up with ends up with >> the student sitting down. I am looking for something where >> they are still active but they would rather be joining the >> rest of the class in a fun activity. I have thought about a >> chore type of center where its like they are at home >> (sweeping, dusting, and various cleaning skills etc.) Any >> suggestions or help with things to completely avoid or to >> try full force? Also, any advice for student teaching would >> be much appreciated. :)

Sep 11, 2011

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Sara On 9/11/11, Kristin wrote:

It's an interesting idea and maybe someone will have a good idea for you. I shy away from punishing kids with sweeping the floor and things like that because I think it actually says something negative about cleaning and even our good janitors whose honest job it is to sweep our floors. My school used to have st...See MoreOn 9/11/11, Kristin wrote:

It's an interesting idea and maybe someone will have a good idea for you. I shy away from punishing kids with sweeping the floor and things like that because I think it actually says something negative about cleaning and even our good janitors whose honest job it is to sweep our floors. My school used to have students cleaning lunch tables as a punishment but what's wrong with cleaning lunch tables? Someone has to do it and are we too good to do that? Most of us have to clean our own tables in life and there's nothing wrong with that. Helping the community to be clean and look its best is something we all should take part in.

That all said, I should say too I'm sorry I don't have a good idea for you. You don't want to put them to doing push-ups as if physical exercise is a punishment. Have them walk it off maybe - walk around the gym, still moving, still exercising but banned from the group.

I hope you'll post back when you get it all nailed down - we could learn from it.

> Sara- > I am student teaching at the moment. It seems that the "sit out" > option is the blanket solution I am trying to avoid. But I agree > that one solution is not best for all but I should have been more > specific. I am looking for a sort of center where they could > complete one of multiple tasks that they don't enjoy but are still > physically active. I have them apologize or I will quickly say > something to them if the problem wasn't major and it usually > works. But a good example of isolating a student would be when a > student consistently is not listening and is talking when I'm > talking; also, if they intentionally hit another child. The > punishment idea would technically be more as a threat. I know that > if I am doing my job then students shouldn't be misbehaving, but > misbehaving is going to happen. So versus becoming a > problem-solver, I'm trying to be pro-active, in order to try avoid > bad behavior before it happens. That's what I need help with. The > punishment idea wouldn't last during the entire lesson but just > for a few short minutes, like sweeping the floor or doing some > sort of chore. Thanks for the teaching advice, I definitely know > to stay away from dodgeball. > > > Thanks! > On 9/11/11, Sara wrote: >> On 9/05/11, Kristin wrote: >> >> Every school is different - it's unrealistic to look for a >> blanket solution that will work for every school community. Are >> you already teaching? What's happening that's so bad that the >> child deserves to be sent away from the group? >> >> I'd need to know the answer to that before saying much. In PE >> kids are moving and kids will get bumped - by accident -and >> then conflict arises but you can't get drug down by that or >> stop class for it. Tell them that - 'it wasn't intentional and >> we've got to be big enough inside ourselves and caring enough >> of this class and each other to - keep on getting the job done >> and the job right now is gym - let's get fit and have fun both. >> Stop squabbling." >> >> That's my discipline. Only if some kid intentionally hauls off >> and hits another do I stop the class and then - depending on >> the emotions I see - maybe tell a kid - go sit down. >> >> Because in that moment, it can't be all things. I admire your >> interest in having them keep moving - in this fat nation we've >> become we've got to get moving and keep moving - but... it >> can't be all things in any one moment and in the moment when >> something bad has happened then a kid does have to go and sit >> down. You have a class to teach and that kid has shown their >> emotions to be out of control. >> >> I tell them - "You can come back when you are in control of >> yourself and there will be no more outbursts and no more >> hitting. Hitting is unacceptable. It is not how problems are >> solved." >> >> I don't seek to punish - I seek to problem-solve and to have >> them be active problem-solvers too. Emotions can run high but >> they are kids and just learning to control and channel their >> emotions. What are we punishing them for? For having emotions?? >> They're not robots and it's frustrating to lose a game and >> group life is not smooth. They have feelings but with our help >> they can learn to deal with their feelings, learn to lose and >> win, and learn to keep fit. >> >> But sometimes, not often, someone has to go and sit down - but >> in my opinion, only when something pretty bad has happened and >> that's usually hauling off and hitting in frustration or - >> someone gets mad a girl who's a great shot and whispers a >> derogatory 5 letter word in her direction because her ability >> has made some boy jealous. Usually I won't sit someone out for >> that either but they had better apologize immediately and look >> like they mean it or I will. >> >> The class should keep discipline problems down to a minimum >> simply because gym class does let them move rather than >> imprison them in a chair taking notes from a board. They really >> should be having fun most of the time in gym or there's >> something wrong with the lesson. >> >> What to avoid? Dodge ball. Get hold of the books that emphasize >> 'cooperative games' where there is no winner and no loser. The >> book is called "New Games" and "More New Games". >> >> Full force? Teach them resting pulse and to take theirs. Teach >> them 'body-mass index' but don't take theirs to avoid >> embarrassing the 1 out of 3 kids that are obese now. Push for >> gym class to be right after lunch. Encourage the idea that a >> class is a community. Make up different teams - Jan. through >> June Team vs. July - December birthdays. >> >> Have fun. >> >> >>> I am a student teacher learning to be a PE teacher. I >>> graduate in Dec. My placement is with K-5 students right >>> now. I am trying to be pro-active with discipline and set a >>> foundation just in case bad behavior decides to arise. I >>> want to come up with a neat idea for a discipline center to >>> go in the gym. But everything I come up with ends up with >>> the student sitting down. I am looking for something where >>> they are still active but they would rather be joining the >>> rest of the class in a fun activity. I have thought about a >>> chore type of center where its like they are at home >>> (sweeping, dusting, and various cleaning skills etc.) Any >>> suggestions or help with things to completely avoid or to >>> try full force? Also, any advice for student teaching would >>> be much appreciated. :)

Sep 12, 2011

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