Do you feel like you have slowly become a teacher that nags? A teacher that lectures more than a Harvard University professor? An educator that ends up harping more than cheerleading?
I get it. In parenting and in teaching, it’s so easy to become the Character Cheetah without even realizing it — pouncing on the the same flaws in students, over and over again. {And I know, I know, if they wouldn’t have the flaws, you wouldn’t have to pounce so much.} But eventually, I’m afraid our voices become nothing more than the adults’ voices on the Charlie Brown cartoons . . . ”waa, waaa, waaaa . . .”
“This is not responsible to forget your homework, again, John. How many times is that this week?”
“Kiley, you have to stop pushing to the front of the line. That’s so rude.”
“Guys, be respectful!”
“Stop leaving your bags in the floor. Clean up the stations. Don’t write on the desks.”
“What is your problem? Didn’t you hear me say to stop talking when I am trying to teach?!?”
We all know the Character Cheetah has made an appearance in most of our classrooms, and we also know that it’s not a pretty site. Or an effective teaching strategy at that.
Try this. When you catch yourself beginning to harp on a student for a behavior, particularly one that is related to their character or is affecting your classroom management, skip the nag and ask them this simple question,
“What does {insert behavior here} say about your character?”
And then, wait for their answer. Have them evaluate their actions themselves. And see what happens.
Maybe their actions reflect dishonesty or irresponsiblity or selfishness or a lack of kindness. Maybe they are displaying laziness or disrespect or pride. But, don’t be the one to tell them about it. Let the student be the one to take responsibility for what his or her actions are communicating. Of course, be sure to communicate that one instance doesn’t equate to a dishonest character forever. However, you will want to take a chance to remind them that . . .
Actions speak louder than words. Be sure that what you are saying without words is what you want to be communicating.
And, of course, this works the opposite way, too. When you see a student displaying a positive quality, take the chance to ask the same question and give them the chance to claim their good choices, too. {Especially in front of others, of course.}
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The winner of last week’s Teaching Tips Tuesday link-up was the lovely lady that linked up Sarah Mackey’s idea for “Heart Attack” good behavior punch-cards. Congratulations! Send an email with your mailing address to: lauraleighparker@gmail.com, and the vintage chalkboard is yours! Thanks, again, to CrabAppl1 for donating this item.
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How about you? ’Fess up. Do you struggle with nagging your students verbally? How do you handle difficult students?
Photo credit here. Laura has a Middle Grades Education degree and blogs at aLifeOverseas.com.
