EMerce*d in Learning

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "I know this is normally about classroom issues, but with the 4th of July coming up I have one about family time.  How can I keep my discipline consistent around family?  My family is more of a swat on the butt kinda family and I am trying to work on teaching social skills instead."  -Andrea P., Norfolk Wowza!  I think this is something everyone has faced in one way or another when it comes to family.  As we grow into our own nuclear families it can become difficult to stand on values that differ from the nuclear family in which you were raised.  Often times when your "elders" see you doing something differently then they did while helping raise you they see it as an attack on what they did.  Instead the emphasis should be placed on what works for your child. Try some of these: For little Johnny working on a solution helps the situation mor...

Fill it up Friday Each Friday we will look at an article to fill up on the whys of teaching. This is one of my favorite books EVER.  Seriously!  If you haven't heard of it yet please, please, please check it out! Anyone who knows me in real life knows that I frequently read books on child behavior, especially difficult behaviors.  I've noticed that the better I managed my classroom the more the children are able to learn, so I focus on behavior first.  The authors do an amazing job looking at various factors that influences a child's behavior and what we as adults can do to help mitigate those factors. The authors break the book up into manageable pieces that reference the different aspects that influence behavior and how to work around with them such as the social context, physical space, and the inclusive setting. By far my favorite part of the book is the inclusion of the functional assessment behavior chart.  This is also known as the ABC chart....

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. "There are many times throughout the day where my kids have to sit.  I end up getting so irritated that they won't sit still that I end up yelling. By the time we start the activity that we were waiting to start none of us are having a good time. What should I do?" -Samantha, Illinois Waiting is extremely hard for young children.  The part of their brain that would tell them to sit still is not yet developed.  That same area is what controls their ability to plan and think of alternatives.  Again, this area is not done growing.  Asking them to sit quietly is like asking me to get the last package of something off the top of the grocery store shelf (I'm 5 feet tall, not gonna happen!). As teachers it is our job to teach children the coping skills they need to survive.  One coping skill is learning to wait. I however cannot wait.  Take my morning routine.  Each and eve...

Thursday Thoughts This is where we will collaborate on classroom issues. “I have a child who does not stay in time out.   I get so tired of chasing him down.   What can I do” –Olivia C., Roanoke Let’s first look at how time-out is being used.   While there are many variations on time-out I prescribe to Positive Discipline techniques.   Through that lens time-out should be a positive, preventative tool.   The downfall in using time-out in a punitive manner is that we are not providing the child with an alternative behavior.   Children often misbehave because they do not have the inner tools required for a more appropriate alternative behavior.   It is our jobs to show them those alternatives.   Using time-out in a positive manner is unfamiliar for many of us.   What would that look like?   The physical appearance of a time out center should be pleasant.   You want to make it look inviting and relaxing.   I recommen...