Dr. William GlasserClassroom Management Model

Joe Gross, Chad Jubela, and Mike Scanlan

EDC 610- Classroom Management and DisciplineUniversity of Kentucky- Spring, 2010

Dr. Margaret Rintamaa

Classroom Meeting

What is the best way to address Dr. Glasser and his classroom management model? Which interests you the most?

1. You Tube video interview with Dr. Glasser2. Venn diagram Quality World activity3. Characteristics of Quality Work4. Small group activity- Are you a boss or leader?5. Book reviews and key elements6. Language of Choice Theory

5 Needs of Control Theory

Dr. Glasser’s theory contends that all humans have 5 basic “needs” that provide the basis for all choices.

1. Survival2. To Be Loved/Belong3. Have Power/Importance4. Be Free/Independent5. To Have Fun

These needs are inherent to all human beings, regardless of any perceived differences. Control theory seeks to emphasize how

we are all alike.

Reality Therapy (1965)

Key Elements:

Control Theory in the Classroom (1986)

Key Elements: 1. Allow students the freedom of choice = power2. Basic needs shape what & how they are taught = negotiation3. Assignments meet some degree of their needs = loyalty4. Students have a say in what they learn = content & method5. Teachers relate to students = Leader vs. Boss (supportive)6. Hold “classroom meetings” regularly = democratic community7. Learning-team (cooperative group) activities = belonging8. Students only receive “good” grades, teachers only accept

“quality” work = satisfaction

Choice Theory (1998)

Key Elements:

Choice Theory in the Classroom (1988)

“If what is being taught does not satisfy the needs about which a student is currently most concerned, it will make little difference how brilliantly the teacher teaches—the student will not work to learn.” (21).

Small Group Activity:

1. What do we (teachers and students) need in order to be successful in this classroom this school year?

2. Generate a list of terms, such as respect, trust, and time management, then explain in a paragraph what it means, what it looks like, and what it sounds like.

3. These paragraphs help establish the classroom environment and relationships that we will share the entire school year.

The Learning-Team Model

“To get the depth that is necessary for many more of them to make the vital relationship between knowledge and power, they need a chance to work on long-term projects with others.” (78)

• Relating Learning To Caring: For Each Other & Quality Of Work

• T.E.A.M.- Together Everyone Achieves More

• Well Coached Teams = Strong Sense of Power & Belonging

• Teacher Constructed Teams Are Of Varied Ability Levels

• Team Activities Are Fun, Beyond The Activity – Relationships

The Quality School Teacher (1998)A Companion Volume to The Quality School

“Few students in traditional schools do quality work because they do not believe that what they are asked to do and/or how they are asked to do it does anything to improve the quality of their lives.” (14)

The Six Conditions of Quality Schoolwork

1. There must be a warm supportive classroom environment.2. Students should be asked to do only useful work.3. Students are always asked to do the best they can do.4. Students are asked to evaluate their own work and improve it.5. Quality work always feels good.6. Quality work is never destructive. (18-20)

The Quality World

“This small, personal world…is made up of a small group of pictures that portray…the best ways to satisfy one or more of our basic needs.” (44).

Categories1. The people we most want to be with2. The things we most want to own or experience3. The ideas or systems of belief that govern much of our

behavior. (45)

Small Group Activity- Venn Diagram- Who/what is in your quality world and your students’ quality worlds? How does it effect learning?

The Language of Choice Theory (1999)

External Control

“You copied this paper off the Internet. You know the rule; you bought yourself an F on the whole unit.” (60)

Choice Theory Alternative

“You must have read a lot of papers on the Internet before you picked this one. I agree it really covers the subject. But I can’t give you credit because you didn’t write it. But look, I like it. If you’ll write a paper and explain why this is a good one, I will accept it.” (61).

Lead Management vs. Boss Management

“An important purpose of education is to nurture a love for lifelong learning in all students, not kill it.” (242).

-Dr. Glasser

• Are you a leader as you educate/manage your classroom or are you a boss and more directive?

Small Group Activity- Handout- “Are You a Boss or a Leader?” Discuss, note, and share ideas with your classmates.

Schooling

“The main reason so many students are doing badly and even good students are not doing their best is that our schools, firmly supported by school boards, politicians, and parents, all of whom follow external control psychology, adhere rigidly to the ideal that what is taught in school is right and that students who won’t learn it will be punished. This destructive false belief is best called schooling.” (237)

• Educators must help students acquire knowledge so that it may be used in their students’ quality worlds.

“Where you can demonstrate your competence is in using knowledge.” (238)

Works Cited

Glasser, W. Choice Theory, (1998), Harper Collins Publishers, New York.

Glasser, W. & C., The Language of Choice Theory, (1999), Harper Collins Publishers, New York.

Glasser, W., Reality Therapy, (1965), Harper and Row Publishers, New York.

Glasser, W. The Quality School Teacher, Rev. Ed., (1998), Harper Collins Publishers, New York.

Glasser, W. Choice Theory in the Classroom, Rev. Ed., (1988), Harper and Collins Publishers, New York.

Glasser, W. Control Theory in the Classroom, (1986), Harper and Row Publishers, New York.