It has been expressed many times to folks in educational careers that you should not smile until Christmas! I've never subscribed to that expression, because I know and understand that students who are miserable or under negative stress will not achieve. Not only that, but they will not even desire to achieve.
| That said, I also understand the importance of structure, distinct boundaries, and well-defined procedures (That's undoubtedly obvious from things I've written in the last few days.). In 2012 I visited the phenomenal and energetic Ron Clark Academy (RCA) in Atlanta, Georgie. It was indescribable. The students there, ranging from fifth to eight grades, were polite and professional without being stiff and militaristic. They could never describe their teachers as discipline dictators or control freaks. They wouldn't think of saying their teachers were micromanaging their school experience. | |
They would, however, admit to some very strict, and essential, principles and guidelines for school and for life. These students were perfectly comfortable addressing me in conversation. They answered any questions I threw at them. They articulated their ideas in full sentences, all the while looking me in the eye and making me feel comfortable. In the admission of strict expectations for good manners, they and their teachers also expressed their appreciation for those guidelines. They had complete buy-in, and their academic achievement showed the results.
For the first part of the school year, they were subjected to "Boot Camp" - a time when students were not permitted to speak and time in which they learned the expectations and consequences of a series of the school. I have adopted some of the concepts displayed at RCA. I have also set aside a period during our first three days of school for the purpose of "Boot Camp", but don't take that the wrong way: I am very careful to encourage my pupils without pushing them to the breaking point. There is a terrific balance of a strict call for manners and a passion-filled classroom.
That whole Don't-Smile-Until-Christmas concept is for the birds. Parents, your children will come home on the first few days with smiles of exhaustion and expressions of respect (I hope). They will have stories about the fun they had with their "crazy" new teacher (Only believe half of it, and in return I promise to only believe half of what they tell me about you.). But, they will also widen their eyes a little when you ask about what they did. I hope they will even appreciate the portion of the day we devote to "Boot Camp".
This will be a more serious period when we discuss essential expectations. In the midst of getting to know each other with games and joking, this will be the time when I expect the full attention of my class. As such, I will post the following message ahead of time:
For the first part of the school year, they were subjected to "Boot Camp" - a time when students were not permitted to speak and time in which they learned the expectations and consequences of a series of the school. I have adopted some of the concepts displayed at RCA. I have also set aside a period during our first three days of school for the purpose of "Boot Camp", but don't take that the wrong way: I am very careful to encourage my pupils without pushing them to the breaking point. There is a terrific balance of a strict call for manners and a passion-filled classroom.
That whole Don't-Smile-Until-Christmas concept is for the birds. Parents, your children will come home on the first few days with smiles of exhaustion and expressions of respect (I hope). They will have stories about the fun they had with their "crazy" new teacher (Only believe half of it, and in return I promise to only believe half of what they tell me about you.). But, they will also widen their eyes a little when you ask about what they did. I hope they will even appreciate the portion of the day we devote to "Boot Camp".
This will be a more serious period when we discuss essential expectations. In the midst of getting to know each other with games and joking, this will be the time when I expect the full attention of my class. As such, I will post the following message ahead of time:
Again, I'm not making them stand at attention and salute, and I don't expect students to live in fear that they fail to pass some kind of military inspection; rather, I just want to emphasize the seriousness of these expectations. I will put every effort into getting my students to regulate their own behavior by following through with the expectations of our classroom, which by the way, thoroughly reinforce our schoolwide positive behavior system of S.O.A.R., which simply stands for Showing respect, Observing safety, Accepting responsibility, and Resolving conflict.
