Greetings friends! If you haven’t joined
the Daily 5 book study, it’s not too late. This week, my blogging bestie,
Tammy, from Live Laugh Love Kindergarten posted about chapter one. Each Thursday the host for the next chapter will post questions for you before reading and also
allow for you to ask questions in the comments. The following Wednesday, that
blogger will post answers to that week’s questions and a reflection of that
chapter. You will have an opportunity to link up each week too so the learning
will continue to spread online. This is very exciting! So, let’s get to chapter one’s
questions.
1. How do I teach new behaviors?
First, I drill into my own head that no matter what
I hope kids have learned before entering my classroom, I need to assume they do
not know anything, including how to behave in a classroom setting.
Unfortunately, that is true for many. The most important thing I can do is
teach and model. J The first week of school, my class and I come up
with a list of class rules and we all sign our names to the rules. We go over
them daily. We also have little chants for cleaning up, walking in the hall,
etc. My students are on a color system so if that is necessary, they will flip
their color but we try to avoid that as much as possible. I remind myself that
my students are only five years old and that I cannot expect them to do
anything that I am not doing correctly. Model, model, model! J
I hope kids have learned before entering my classroom, I need to assume they do
not know anything, including how to behave in a classroom setting.
Unfortunately, that is true for many. The most important thing I can do is
teach and model. J The first week of school, my class and I come up
with a list of class rules and we all sign our names to the rules. We go over
them daily. We also have little chants for cleaning up, walking in the hall,
etc. My students are on a color system so if that is necessary, they will flip
their color but we try to avoid that as much as possible. I remind myself that
my students are only five years old and that I cannot expect them to do
anything that I am not doing correctly. Model, model, model! J
2. How do I teach expectations?
The
first thing about expectations is to set realistic ones. It is not realistic
that every child will remember everything. Heck, I can barely remember to put
on matching shoes some days. J Don’t expect perfection because you will just end
up frustrated. TELL students what you expect. They won’t know unless you tell
them. It is even helpful to provide charts with pictures and words. Give them
something that they can refer back to as a visual reminder. J Encourage good choices. Instead of dwelling and
calling out the poor ones, praise the good ones and I promise more children will
want to rise to your expectations. Teach a structure and be consistent. J Whatever your expectations are for your students,
model them and live by them. After all, most will want to be just like you. J
first thing about expectations is to set realistic ones. It is not realistic
that every child will remember everything. Heck, I can barely remember to put
on matching shoes some days. J Don’t expect perfection because you will just end
up frustrated. TELL students what you expect. They won’t know unless you tell
them. It is even helpful to provide charts with pictures and words. Give them
something that they can refer back to as a visual reminder. J Encourage good choices. Instead of dwelling and
calling out the poor ones, praise the good ones and I promise more children will
want to rise to your expectations. Teach a structure and be consistent. J Whatever your expectations are for your students,
model them and live by them. After all, most will want to be just like you. J
3. How do I monitor student behavior? whole group? Small
groups? Individual?
groups? Individual?
Well,
here is my learning curve. Self-monitoring stresses me out but I know it is
doable. It’s just giving up that control that can be a little tough. In this
manner, I will have to increase my student expectations and hold them to their
capability of self-monitoring. (this is me giving myself a pep talk…we can do this! Right?)
here is my learning curve. Self-monitoring stresses me out but I know it is
doable. It’s just giving up that control that can be a little tough. In this
manner, I will have to increase my student expectations and hold them to their
capability of self-monitoring. (this is me giving myself a pep talk…we can do this! Right?)
4. What do I do when a student is not exhibiting desired behavior?
I like to
provide an immediate consequence for a student’s actions. Sometimes that is
missing some of recess (though they are doing something during this time that
involves movement because let’s face it, they need to move!), time out, writing
an apology letter (this is more towards the end of the year though). We do a
lot of discussing. I am not sure if that is good or not. I am trying harder to
focus more on the positive behaviors and I think that decreases the negative.
When I give someone a compliment, it amazes me how fast other students try to
straighten up so they can get a compliment too.
provide an immediate consequence for a student’s actions. Sometimes that is
missing some of recess (though they are doing something during this time that
involves movement because let’s face it, they need to move!), time out, writing
an apology letter (this is more towards the end of the year though). We do a
lot of discussing. I am not sure if that is good or not. I am trying harder to
focus more on the positive behaviors and I think that decreases the negative.
When I give someone a compliment, it amazes me how fast other students try to
straighten up so they can get a compliment too.
5. Whose classroom is it?
Well,
it depends on the day, lol. On the first day of school we talk about family and
I tell my students that we are a class family. We look out for one another, we
take care of one another and we take care of our “home”. Now, if you break
something in OUR classroom, I get mad that you broke MY stuff! Probably
confusing. Must work on that! J
it depends on the day, lol. On the first day of school we talk about family and
I tell my students that we are a class family. We look out for one another, we
take care of one another and we take care of our “home”. Now, if you break
something in OUR classroom, I get mad that you broke MY stuff! Probably
confusing. Must work on that! J
6. Locus of control?
We talk a ton about making good choices and I reward them for those good choices. Well,
in the past I have had a Star Jar, Sweet Treat jar, Sticker Treasure Box, lunch
with me passes, etc. I am not sure how that will change after I am done reading
this book though. I don’t have a sticker chart or anything like that to get a
reward. I am more like a sporadic rewarder. I think it keeps kids on their
toes.
in the past I have had a Star Jar, Sweet Treat jar, Sticker Treasure Box, lunch
with me passes, etc. I am not sure how that will change after I am done reading
this book though. I don’t have a sticker chart or anything like that to get a
reward. I am more like a sporadic rewarder. I think it keeps kids on their
toes.
7. Where are supplies stored?
Why? Are you going to come look? EEK! I have cabinets and shelves where I store
everything. Everything has a place in a labeled bin or drawer. Each year I get
a little more organized. Hopefully one day I will have a well-oiled machine. I
am always seeking perfection but is that really realistic? J I have my books in labeled bins by theme and only
put one theme out at a time. I have my library and the kids have theirs. I read
books from my library to the class. Sometimes it’s a treat to get to read from
my library. I love that this excites them. J
everything. Everything has a place in a labeled bin or drawer. Each year I get
a little more organized. Hopefully one day I will have a well-oiled machine. I
am always seeking perfection but is that really realistic? J I have my books in labeled bins by theme and only
put one theme out at a time. I have my library and the kids have theirs. I read
books from my library to the class. Sometimes it’s a treat to get to read from
my library. I love that this excites them. J
You can check out some great pins that our KD5 team has already pinned for you.
It has some great things to help you get started with Daily 5!
It has some great things to help you get started with Daily 5!
Next up will be Caitlin from
Kindergarten Smiles. She will be hosting Chapter 2. If you are not following
her blog yet, then head on over right now!!!
Kindergarten Smiles. She will be hosting Chapter 2. If you are not following
her blog yet, then head on over right now!!!
Make sure you head over to Tammy’s blog to link
up for chapter one and read all of her great thoughts on chapter one!!
up for chapter one and read all of her great thoughts on chapter one!!
Rose says
It's so true that in August the most important thing to do is to model, model, model and teach students what is expected of them. I find that if I spend the extra time at the beginning of the year, the rest of the year goes a lot smoother.
Rose
"The Wonderful World of Kindergarten"
Jeannie says
Crystal I love your honesty and you are so funny! I have become so good at managing, controlling that it will take some getting used to giving up some of that control. But we can do it together, right….and maybe it won't be so painful? :0)
jeannie
Kindergarten Lifestyle
Kimberley says
Just became your newest follower. Love your blog!
✰ Kimberley ✰
First in Maine
Little Millennium says
Sounds interesting. I 'll try to attend it. Looks like you are a specialist on this because you just made it so easy to be with you, motivated me to learn more on the subject!
Regards
Pre Primary Education In India