The Blank Stare

I was attempting to teach the value of coins to the small group of my first graders who were having problems with the concept that a nickel is worth less than a dime. I noticed that my students were looking at me with blank stares.

I almost laughed when I hear myself thinking, “Children First?”. However, my thought made me release these children from the lesson (that was being held around me circular desk) and return them to their seats. I asked all of the students to put away their math and read the class a story.

When the blank stares were replaced with relaxed smiles, I stood up in the middle of the class and yelled (in the funniest voice I could think of), “Dynamite!”.  I used the smart board to put a large dime in the middle of the screen, I bounced the dime around and all the students joined me in a roaring, “Dynamite!”. Then I gave every student a dime and a nickel. We played and came to the agreement that the Dynamite Dime is small in size but has a value of ten cents, while the larger nickel (said with a yarn) has a value of only five cents.

Then I thought of this group of students receiving dimes shouting, “Dynamite Dime!”. And I laughed out loud because they will know that the small dime is worth ten cents.   

Think Before You Speak / Podcast

We talk to students all day long and expect them to listen. But, do we design lessons that teach them how to be a good listener?

The best way to teach students how to listen is listen to the students. Podcasting is a powerful tool that affords students the opportunity to think before they speak and know that when they have spoken someone will be listening {they will be heard}.

My first grade students like to talk and podcasting allows them to talk as they put their thoughts about curriculum-based subjects into an organized format before they share them with the world. {I want to teach some of the adults that I know to use podcast and learn to think before they speak. I have a list of people that I would send invitations to my podcast class and my name is on the top of the list}.    

Video Anyone?

Today’s students are comfortable having their pictures taken with videos, in photographs, and on cell phones. Educators who put student behind a digital camera and give them editing responsibilities are introducing them a new level of self-expression (education).

Students go from smiling into a lens to controlling the images that a lens captures. They will also be able to understand the direct connection between the effort that they put into a project and the quality of the finished project when they use digital cameras to produce a curriculum-based video.   

Wow Washington

I put my student first when I received notice that we were taking a first graders to Mount Vernon for a fieldtrip, on March 8. I first voiced my objection to the trip, but also prepared my students and parents for the field trip to George Washington’s house.

Through research of the area that I completed, my students had the opportunity to take a virtual tour of Mt. Vernon prior to our visit. I was also able to explain why the role that slaves played on Mt. Vernon and during the Revolutionary War. My students came to understand that George Washington took the wrong action when he participated in and protected the institution of slavery in the USA. But just like all people his life is a mixture of positive and negative actions. So, my students designed a poster that is titled Wow Washington to highlight Washington’s political and military successes.

Through research, classroom activities, lectures, and reading material, my students learned about the human named George Washington and visited his house with there eyes wide open to the (white washed) presentation that Mt. Vernon provides for its visitors. Slavery was and is an institution that cannot be tolerated as correct for the times/situation.

After our field trip my class produced a brochure about Mt. Vernon and they displayed pride to be an American because even when our leaders made mistakes the people rose up and marched to correct those mistakes.

By planning before the fieldtrip took place, I put the children before the fieldtrip, and we learn about what it is to be human, brave, and honest about our history.  

Shy Behind the Scenes?

I have a first grade student who is so shy that I am always careful to keep her at ease when I am approaching or talking to her.

I use the knowledge that I have obtained from psychology classes, research, experience, and the student’s actions to present school (learning) as a positive endeavor.

So, at the beginning of the school year I stood away from this student when I notice that there is a problem and softly asked the student to come to my desk. As this student moves toward the desk I busy myself with other matters, because I do not want the student to look at me as someone who is waiting (causing them to hurry to my side rushing and being upset when they arrive). I greet the students with a smile and whisper as I speak. I will explain the task that is causing the problem and then stop talking to wait for the student to show me that they understand the task and/or ask a question.  

This is a student who wants to please and feels sad (shuts down) when they interpret my actions as negative. But, because of our quite positive conversations and waiting time that happened behind the scenes this students is now confident enough to ask a question in front of the class and/or come to me with questions. This student also comes to me in order to show off work that has been completed correctly.

Positive behavior toward students can be defined as a step back and whisper.

Can you see?

The kindergarten teachers in my school are the best. They teach their students with books, manipulative, technology, educational tools, and all of their hearts. I teach the first grade and each fall I receive students that our kindergarten teachers have lovingly prepared for first grade curriculum.

So I listened when a kindergarten teacher pulled me aside during an assembly to ask why I had moved a student away from the other students in my class. She said, “I know that this student can get out of hand but he should not be moved away from the whole class when the whole school can see him being isolated.”

Before I responded I pointed to the student who I had moved to the very front of the stage and said,  “I put the child first by moving him because I understood the student could not see the speaker when he was restless and disengaged sitting in be back of the room with his classmates.” Then I gestured to draw her eyes to the student sitting attentively in the front of the room with his hand up to answer a question that the speaker had asked because when he can see the assembly (speaker) he is an engaged learner.

The teacher gave me a hug and said, “Thank you for taking care of my boy.”

Positive Verbal Reinforcement

     Positive verbal reinforcement is an important component of basic instruction for teaching. Teachers often over look this important component because they hear the pleasant tone that they address their students with and overlook the content within that pleasant tone.

     I have recently heard teachers using sweet voices to say, “This is too hard for you. This is going to be hard. This is going to be tricky. This is not how we learned it. This is tough.”

     One negative statement leaves a long lasting impression on a student. But, positive statements are forgot easily therefore needs to be received 10 time more often then a negative statement to make a positive memorable impression on a student.