February 10, 2006, Newsletter Issue #74: Creating A Peaceful Classroom

Tip of the Week

1. Have a genuine interest in your students.
Greet students at the door. Learn about students´ culture(s). Be aware of teen slang terms. Offer praise and encouragement frequently. Attend to students as individuals, not just to the class as a whole.
2. Communicate classroom rules clearly.
Enforce rules fairly and consistently. Consider each incident´s unique circumstances while making discipline-related decisions.
3. Be objective, not judgmental.
Try to adopt the students´ perspective. Look at issues from a variety of perspectives.
4. Show that you are human.
Be prepared to admit your mistakes. Use humor, when appropriate.
5. Minimize the power differential in everyday communication.
Sitting behind a desk or standing behind a podium can send the message that you want to create some distance between yourself and the students.
6. Address problem behavior directly and immediately.
Unresolved conflicts and issues often resurface. Addressing a problem early lessens the chance that it will expand.
7. Adopt a collaborative approach.
Maximize student opportunities for choices within the classroom. Consider the perspective that this is "our" classroom, not "my" classroom. Actively solicit students´ opinions.

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