pushing boundaries
I’ve made it to the end of week 1. Phew!
I’ve really realised what I’ve got ahead of me for the next year – one hell of a learning curve. At the moment it doesn’t really feel like a curve, more like a very steep slope. But, I’m determined to get up it.
I guess that being a new virtually non experienced teacher I am bound to be tested by the kids. No reputation precedes me, I am young, female and generally teaching boys (only a few girls in my middle school classes, some none at all). So far it has gone OK, though I feel that I may have a battle on my hands with a couple of classes. I strongly feel that to have a good learning environment I shouldn’t be entering into a class with a folder of punishment exercises at the ready but is it the case that at the start of a school year this is necessary to establish boundaries particularly as kids are VERY willing to push them?
A good few of my classes are highly enjoyable. The pupils have good rapport with each other and allow me the leeway needed to let my personality help with the teaching. When my personality is tempered and I have to enter into constant reprimands to keep pupils on track I feel that the whole learning process/pupil enjoyment is restricted.
Is it a stage that is necessary? Is it time or experience that will help me overcome this restrictive stage? Do experienced teachers have these classes where they have a battle on their hands? I am hoping that by establishing and maintaining decent conduct through the use of routines and procedures that these classes will ‘lighten up’. Though how long this will take I have no idea.
September 1st, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Its the ‘micro battles’ that determine the ethos of the classroom. So, yes it is required.
Does your school have an clear discipline policy? If everyone is dealing with the conflict points in the same way then the pupils know the score.
Thats where I have found Assertive Discipline to be useful, so long as its applied consistently.
It then removes the individual conflict points from each classroom as everyone knows what the rules are and what the consequences are if the pupil chooses to break them.
The cllass actually relaxes as it removes the stress of the unknown.
One thing I like to do is identify a pupil that I may have had problems with consistently and follow them throughout the day.
It really gives an insight into how that individual responds to different approaches and situations.
The bad news is that I still feel I have as much to learn now as I did 11 years ago when I started. Its just different stuff.
Good luck
September 1st, 2007 at 12:56 pm
thanks for the advice – especially following a pupil, something I hadn’t thought of. My school does have a good discipline procedure set out which I am glad of – though the pupils are clearly figuring out whether I know the procedure or not!
Consistency appears to be the key.
September 4th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
I’ll second the consistency note… And always make sure you follow through with a sanction if you are forced to give one! If you don’t, the pupils soon work it out and will see you as a soft touch.
Another really important thing is making sure you record all the sanctions you hand out. If you don’t, it is very hard to establish if there is a pattern to a pupil’s misbehaviour, and if you need to refer the pupil further up the food chain, it is easier to do if you have a paper trail for evidence to back it up.
I’m delighted to have found your blog, and will pop it into my RSS reader. Would you mind if I gave the probationer teachers in Perth & Kinross a link to it?
All the best!
September 5th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
thanks! Recording sanctions – a good one, and one that is easily forgotten when you’ve got a pile of other things to do.
Please give any kindred spirit a link to this blog – the more the merrier
September 8th, 2007 at 9:50 am
I would echo all that has been said above. Its also about building a relationship with your studetns/classes, and this can only come once they know where your boundaries are. Its easier to establish these first, then to develop the realtionship by letting them see/get to know you as a person… but they must know you as the teacher first and foremost. Like Ian said however, 10+ years and still learning. Welcome to the profession!