Using procedures to gain the cooperation of a passive-aggressive student
My teaching partner and I have a little girl in our grade one classroom this year who is very stubborn and actually downright defiant in a passive aggressive way. Right from the beginning of the year she would deliberately do the opposite of whatever the teacher was asking or quietly not do anything at all. When everyone was [...]
Hundreds of simple procedures… to save my sanity!
Dr. Marshall always emphasizes that successful classroom discipline actually begins by developing skill with Step One of his DWS Teaching Model––classroom management. Over the years, as I have come to experience that what he says is true, I have found great value in becoming more and more deliberate in my planning and teaching of classroom [...]
A great procedure for primary grades!
Last May, while attending a workshop given by a local Kindergarten colleague, I heard her share a few little procedures she teaches that she swears save her sanity. One stuck in my memory but I didn’t actually teach it myself until just this past week––when I thought I would go NUTS with three kids who [...]
Teaching Primary students to walk in a line
Recently, I saw a posting on the ProTeacher group, in which a teacher shared a great process for helping young children learn to stay in line while walking. Firstly the students were taught four procedures for how to walk appropriately in the school: Stand directly behind the person in front of you. Face your body [...]
Which procedures do I need for fourth grade?
QUESTION: I’m moving grades this year. I’m so used to first grade procedures that I can’t really visualize how things should be done in fourth grade? What procedures do you think will be the most important to go over at the beginning of the year? RESPONSE: I taught grade four for many years before I [...]
Do these expectations fall in line with DWS?
QUESTION: I’ve decided to post the following expectations in my classroom. Does this fall in line with the DWS philosophy? a) Be polite and helpful b) Do not hit, shove, name-call, tattle, or hurt others c) Get permission before speaking d) Get permission before leaving your seat RESPONSE: Here are some thoughts for your consideration: [...]
When might students be involved in creating procedures?
QUESTION: When might a teacher involve students in creating procedures? RESPONSE: Although Dr. Marshall outlines in the DWS Teaching Model that it is the teacher’s responsibility to create procedures for the classroom, there are also some situations in which a teacher might effectively involve their students in the process. 1. As time goes on in [...]
Who should create the procedures? The teacher or students?
QUESTION: Who should make the procedures? Is this something the teacher dictates or something the kids come up with? For example, I have been thinking about how I want to teach my first grade class to “turn and talk.” I want them to: Find someone who is nearby (rather than go across the room to [...]
Primary book – “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse”
In preparation for a new school year, I’ve been looking at lots of picture books lately. One I picked up is the famous “Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse” by Kevin Henkes. I can’t quite believe it myself but I’d never read this book before––and it’s been available for 14 years! Turns out, it’s a great story [...]
How soon should I start to deal with misbehavior?
QUESTION: Last week I discussed what each level looks like with my class. Now this week the kids are not very well behaved in the hallway. I’ve prompted them by saying “Check your level.” The two kids that have the most issues can pinpoint what level they’re at––and also what level they need to be [...]
