I’m not really sure where our competitive nature came from, but boy is it present! So it’s really no surprise that competition is a huge part of culture in my classroom. I think it has been since I started teaching, but I certainly didn’t have a structured system in those first few years. By far this is the best classroom management system I’ve ever used! This past summer, I was scrolling through Pinterest and found a blog post about it (you can read it here). I modified it to work for my class and have loved the impact it has on my culture. Here is how it works for me!
Cohorts LOSE points when...everyone isn't meeting expectation, procedures go poorly, etc. Cohorts WIN points when...everyone perfectly meets expectation, meets a goal (I time my kids passing in papers and give points for it), working hard, focus, lots of participation, etc. Don’t ever let classroom management be something you think about second, third or last. The culture in your classroom is the MOST IMPORTANT thing and the way you start off strong is having a great classroom management system!
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Since before I can remember, you have been “an open book”. You have always been willing to share about anything, especially if that information helped someone else. However in the midst of that openness, we’ve learned that “letting people in” opens us up to a whole can of insecurities, vulnerability and being known. It is evident now more than ever that we all have an innate desire to know others and to be known by others. Remember - before stepping foot into a classroom, the thought of letting an eleven year old know you sounded terrifying and somewhat ridiculous. Being known by closest friends, yes. Church small group, yes. Family, yes. But students - no thanks. Don’t forget that they’re humans too. They too want to be known and to know others. And when a teacher opens up their life to their students, something amazing happens - real, authentic relationships. Don’t forget that these relationships are the start of it all and being vulnerable and “letting them in” is the only way to make this happen.
So, take the plunge and prioritize “letting them in”. Here are a few no-stress, easy ways to “let them in”:
By far, the most difficult part of teaching for me has been a pretty little cycle: fall in love with my kids, they mess up or do something hurtful to me, I take it personally, we make it right, repeat. Every year, I would feel myself grow in this area, able to balance caring about my kids without taking things so personally. But this past school year was by far the most growth in a year I’ve experienced in this particular area; which is ironic considering the culture at my new school encourages you to take a parental-like responsibility for your students.
You’re probably wondering what changed and I know the exact thing. I received a cute little pink card in the mail. It was from my sweet sister in law who had spent the weekend with Jacob and I in Chicago and visited me at school a few weeks prior. Previously, I had shared with her some of the challenges of the school year thus far and how I just couldn’t figure out how not to take everything so personally - after all, this was not just a job to me. One of the things she wrote was, “Remember, see the need behind the behavior.” Along with the numerous encouraging words in that card, that phrase encouraged my heart more than anything. If only every time a student reacted positively or negatively, I remembered this simple truth. Then maybe, I could finally stop taking things so personally and actually move the needle with my kids. I could help fill their need. Don’t give in and become discouraged or take things personally when students act out negatively. Try to focus on the need that isn’t met for them. If you can identify what the need is, attempt to meet the need or call on support to help get it met. It is always the most simple things that change you so greatly. Remembering the need, attempting to meet it and focusing on the student will transform your demeanor, attitude and tone - therefore, you will have a different result altogether. That being said, sometimes, you’ll lose it - and that’s okay. You are a human. An imperfect human. So in that moment, give yourself grace, apologize if necessary and challenge yourself to see the need next time. Because you know, there’s always a next time. Remember when you first met your new boyfriend's sister on a mission trip to San Francisco? I bet you couldn't have even dreamed of how she would make you better. I bet you couldn't imagine all the sweet ways she would intentionally pour into your life. (But I bet you did think she'd be your sister one day!) Be more like Erin. Maybe it’s a new family member or a new staff member. Pour into them. Let Erin be a reminder to you that pouring into people with encouraging words or showing up is valuable. As I write this, I am exhausted from yet another day in the classroom. . I have nothing left in me. And I'm happy to report that I actually had this short, meaningful phrase pop up in my head today. The sticky note on my desk that reads "see the need behind the behavior" is the extra dose of encouragement that I needed. Write it down. Put it somewhere where it will encourage you. And don't forget, be like Erin. |
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