A new approach to it all
I have good classroom management skills (i.e., I have control over the kids). I am always complimented on them. I have a problem though. My problem is obviously not that. What my problem is is how I got control. I got control over my formerly unruly classroom with coercion, punishment, and a raised voice.
At the time I thought that it would be a temporary thing; that I would eventually be able to speak at a normal level and not use coercion, and/or punishment. No! No! not so. The only thing that has really changed is that it is not chaotic all the time. However, I still have to raise my voice, use coercion, and or threat of punishment.
That is such a big problem for me. The fact that I have to raise my voice bothers me. I don’t like using coercion, and/or threat of punishment. I am looking for a new approach to it all. I want to quietly discipline. I want to save my voice. Does anyone have any suggestions or programs that can help me do this?
Help!!!
Filed under: teaching
Did you see this post? http://www.needleworkspictures.com/ocr/blog/?p=257
You make some good points above.
However, I also think that this can be helpful to you:
Go to: http://www.panix.com/~pro-ed/
If you get this book and video: PREVENTING Classroom Discipline Problems, [they are in many libraries, so you don't have to buy them] email me and I can refer you to the sections of the book and the video [that demonstrates the effective vs. the ineffective teacher] that can help you.
[I also teach an online course on these issues that may be helpful to you at:
http://www.ClassroomManagementOnline.com ]
If you cannot get the book or video, email me and I will try to help.
Best regards,
Howard
Howard Seeman, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus,
City Univ. of New York