Dor L’Dor
Temple Beth-El Religious School November 19, 2003 Number 11
Jewish Classroom Management: A Good Offense (part one) by Joel Grishaver
The class was looking and acting tired so I had everyone pretend to go to sleep and then say the Shema, provided they wake up and sing Modeh Ani to get them moving. They were mostly excited and into it, but a few kids basically didn't get up when the "alarm" rang. So 75% of the class was singing Modeh Ani, and the others were lying on the floor being difficult. The whole class was looking at me to see what I'd do about it. My instinct was to be hurt and angry that they had taken advantage of my flexibility in lesson planning, but then I tried to smile and ask someone to tap them gently. Eventually they got up but I ended up feeling embarrassed, like I had lost face. I once abused this insight while trying to teach it. I was giving a 200 teacher workshop and there were two who were constantly talking. I told everyone quietly over the wireless mike that I was going to demonstrate how this works. I then walked over to these teachers and screamed at them, "I think you are wonderful." The words were a compliment but the tone was one of anger. The two stood up and yelled back at me. "They told me I had no right to speak to them like that." "I asked if they had heard what I said," they responded that "No one has the right to speak to a student in that tone of voice." I had made my point but lost the war, the two of them started to walk out. I spent the next twenty minutes apologizing to them while teaching the importance of teachers apologizing when they are wrong. Here is the simple truth. Students read our tones. Students read our emotions. And that is the content they drink. Until this teacher can like some aspect of these kids, until they know that, she will have a hard time getting them to respond in any positive ways.
The tradition teaches these three responses to the question "Why greet people with a cheerful countenance?" [a] Let a person show a happy face to others so that they will be pleased with her. (Rabbi Jonah) [b] Even if your heart does not rejoice when another arrives, pretend to be cheerful; let the other think that your face lights up with joy at his coming. (Meiri) [c] Shammai is here urging three things that are interconnected. They are about three human areas...wisdom, strength, riches.... He tells us to greet people with a cheerful countenance because it helps you to be strong by mastering anger. We are taught "Who is mighty? One who subdues his/her evil impulse."...A cheerful countenance is the opposite of arrogance and anger. (Shimon ben Zemah Duran) This last insight by Rabbi Shimon ben Zemah Duran, is the reason that classroom management begins at the classroom door. As each student arrives, the teacher needs to think of something they like or respect about each one. They then smile and greet in a sincere way. Classroom management begins by reminding us and our students that we like them. That is the beginning of a great offense.
Lesson in the Morning
From 8:15 to 8:45, any teacher or ma’aseh who chooses to strengthen their Judaic knowledge and community amongst the teachers and ma’aseh may come and join us for learning, conversations and lesson planning. This program is completely on a volunteer basis. It is to strengthen our teaching community and to expand our knowledge of Judaism and ourselves. On staff meeting days, there will be no Shiur BaBoker. This Sunday’s Topic: Pirke Avot. What is it? How can it enhance my teaching?
Tell your friend Veronica It's time to celebrate Hanukkah
In honor of the House legislation, which marked September 2004 as the first "Jewish History Month," we will be having a Famous Jews in History competition. This competition is operated much like a spelling bee, except the contestants must know a brief biographical sketch of the person whose name they are given. All those who wish to enter may acquire a list of approximately 200 famous Jews. There will then be a school wide competition on December 14th sponsored by the Sisterhood Gift Show. Prizes will be $20, $10 and $5 gift certificates for Sisterhood Hannukah Gift Show. All participants will get a small token for their participation. This competition is opened to Grades 3 through 8. Please tell your students about this competition and that the list will be available this week for them to research and study. This competition is completely optional.
What Did I Miss?
What did I miss? Martha emails the “what did I miss forms” every Tuesday and Wednesday to the students. Please make sure you complete these forms. It is important that if your students are not in class you keep them informed about the homework and what was being studied. “What did I miss?” Parents use the “What did I Miss” cards to keep them posted on what is happening in class. Even if there is no homework assigned, please fill out these cards. Please complete these cards because the children and parents are relying on them. What you write or don’t write will be posted for all to see.
Progress Reports are Due Sunday December 7th
You will be getting your progress report forms in your folders this Sunday. Please edit the curriculum section immediately and put it back in your folder. If no changes need to be made then you may begin the process of filling them out. Please have them completed by Sunday, December 7. The goal of the Progress Report is not only to inform the parents of their child’s behavior in class, but also to inform the parents of what is being taught in class and what their child’s specific Judaic interests happen to be. Please be honest, constructive and informative. For suggestions on how to phrase your comments please, call me, email me or visit this website. NOTHING SHOULD COME AS A SURPRISE TO THE PARENTS. If you have an issue the parent should have been contacted in advance! http://www.teachnet.com/how-to/endofyear/personalcomments061400.html