Classroom Classroom RelationshipsRelationships

Classroom Classroom RelationshipsRelationships

RELATIONSHIPSRELATIONSHIPSPEOPLEPEOPLE

ROUTINESROUTINES

Why do we need to build relationships…I’m here to

teach!The investment in relationship building

allows us to accumulate a “psychological bank account” with students.

Pay now or pay later – you’ll either spend time building a mutually respectful relation or you’ll spend it later in a classroom power struggle.

Anna Marie Farnish, Director

Making Middle Grades Work

RELATIONSHIPS• Show that you care about students• Act in a mature manner ALL THE

TIME!!YOU ARE THE “ROLE MODEL”

**students look to you for guidance-even when they misbehave

THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO…

• Help students manage their anger appropriately

• Laugh at yourself• Use humor in your lessons• Show concern by listening to students• Model courtesy and RESPECT, say

“please” and “thank you”• Stay in control

REFRAIN FROM…• YELLING • BEING SARCASTIC • LOSING YOUR TEMPER • ASKING WHO, WHAT, WHY QUESTIONS • ARGUING WITH STUDENTS • ALLOWING PUT DOWNS • IGNORING STUDENTS • DRAWING ATTENTION TO POOR BEHAVIOR

TEACHERS MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Greet students as they enter the class

Be aware of their interestsLearn His-story and Her-story

Be consistent in your approaches to situations.

Be Proactive…Use foggers: “I understand” “I see” “Silence”The breakdown in teacher/student relations

begins when the adult starts to argue.

Tricks of the trade…• Students with special concerns

“stick-out” very early in the school year. Invite them to spend time with you (lunch buddies). Get to know them, their families, hobbies, etc.

• Provide special jobs/tasks for these students.

Have a “bag of tricks” to pull from…but remember,

if you go to the bag often, some “ugly tricks”

may surface.

Things to think about…• Expectations and code of conduct.• Assumptions made about students

can hamper relationships.• Communicate with parents often. • Many attitudes that students bring

to school are a part of their culture.

Relationships building includes

Deposits WithdrawalsSeek first to understandSeek first to be understoodBe Respectful Be disrespectfulEstablished expectations Unclear expectationsTrustworthy UntrustworthySpeak kindly Be sarcastic

Remember: We know ADULTS who make poor decisions and have difficulties with relationships.

ROUTINES

• Establish routines for everything• Teach students the routines• Practice the routines at the beginning of the

year• Expect students to follow the routines

throughout the year• Revisit/review the routines• Monitor constantly• Stick to it!!!Students will know what to expect.

To make it work…• Get to know your students• Have interventions for poor

behavior• Have conversations with your

students• Get parents on your side• Document ~ DocumentSo that• Teachers are able to teach more• Students are able to learn more

•Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) stated that “The secret in education lies in respecting the students.”

The End!