Honesty - Be Who You Say You Are
As educators we put on many hats and with each hat comes a certain voice.
We establish common rules: stern, clear and to the point.
To preserve that space, where everyone can listen and pay attention, we stop as soon as anyone talks over us and remind them to pay attention: in a sharp, reprimanding voice.
We switch to yet another voice, once quiet has been established again.
When someone skins their knees: your empathic voice comes out.
One of your students brings you flowers: the grateful voice.
Who’s voice is your own? Who are you, really? Children can spot a fake. They always do. Being authentic is your strongest asset, but being authentic while switching hats is a challenge in the classroom. That’s why I want to share a number of tools you can implement immediately. They depend at their core on the same key skill: speaking to each and every child as though you consider them intelligent human beings.
Correcting disruptive behaviour
To the disruptive kids, talk matter of factly about their behaviour, addressing it as something that exists outside of their bodies. Speak about the misdemeanor with interest, as you would about a new lamp standing in the corner. Reference the action as something the genius inside them has the ability to correct /shift/replace. Point out the small successes they’ve accomplished up to this point concerning the behaviour and congratulate them on the improvement. Challenge them to keep at it as you would a sculptor putting the finishing touches on a masterpiece. Make sure they understand you hold them in the utmost respect and that their behaviour (pointing your attention again to that imaginary space off to one side) is the thing that must be changed, not they as people, in order for the lesson to be fully appreciated.
Encouraging kids to transition quickly to attention
To support the introverts, quietly divide the class into two groups by making eye contact with each student who is paying attention. Indicate that they should not speak and place this new group in a spot a few feet away. You will quickly have two groups, one of quiet attentive kids and a second group of kids who have no idea you’ve started teaching. Thank the quiet group for their intelligence and respect and give them a secret number (this is important) and the instructions you set out to give. While this is happening there will be kids joining from the loud group on their own. Invite them in, and thank them for joining. Once you’ve given all the instructions, refer to that secret number: “Raise your hand if you know the number”. Those who do not know the number need to stay and listen to you repeat the information.
This small game makes a huge impact on those kids who always get caught up in the chaos of the loud kids. Within a few days these borderline kids will have learned to join the quiet kids because whereas they like the freedom of the chaos, they really do care about being prepared and gaining access to information and they don’t want to miss out.
Then there are often those last two or three kids who by this time still have not joined the class. These kids are asked to watch the activity until you have set the rest of the class on their tasks and supported their processes. Perhaps their task is to figure out the process and rules of the action on their own. If they can accomplish this, then they, too, have succeeded at some part of the task. Encourage them to join up sooner next time and clarify the signal they need to listen for the next time around.
Teaching from a place of wonder
Be truly interested in your subject matter. Find some gems that inspire you and teach from THAT place. When speaking on your favourite topic, your voice fills with admiration, possibly excitement and a deep respect for the subject matter. Rage and frustration has no place in wonder and inspiration.
P.S.: Practice, practice, practice
Transitions are not only hard for students. They can also be a challenge for educators. So learn how to calm your nervous system quickly. And do practice —go ahead and do it in front of your mirror!— the art of smooth transitions. That way a kid will believe you, when you smile and say how cool something is.