Times have changed. There is no doubt about that. Back in the day (my day) I wouldn't have dreamed of disobeying an adult or talking back to them. Okay. I did. Once.  Notice that? Once. Being a mouthy teenager got nipped in the bud pretty quickly. My parents showed me that they were still in charge and I still had a lot to learn.

Fast forward a few years and we now have 5 year olds talking back. Trying to argue. I say trying because I refuse to argue and it is hard for someone to argue with a brick wall. Although... I have seen it.  Even after I give my directive and walk away they are still standing there arguing with the air.  I guess they want to have the last word.

What about the kid who has learned that when they don't want to do something all they have to do is throw a tantrum or simply refuse and become a statue.  Unfortunately, the statue is really quite effective. They don't budge. Or speak.  It is frustrating, but on the brighter side they are quiet.  I call this silently defiant. It irritates me.  It also tells me that this practiced behavior is something that is called to action frequently. Not only at school, but also at home. And, it tells me that at home parents simply give up and complete the task themselves and move on.  Time isn't taken to correct the behavior so the behavior is found to be effective. And heaven knows how tied the hands of a teacher are.  So... we do what we can and eventually we ignore the little statue and move on.  I know what my parents would have done. It wouldn't have been pretty, but it would have gotten my attention and it would have proven once and for all time how ineffective my strategy was. Not that I would have tried this anyway. I couldn't keep my mouth shut for more than 30 seconds.

Here's one that is almost laughable. Almost.  "I'll tell my parents and you'll be in trouble." I say, "Go ahead. In fact, let me dial the number for you and speak to them also."  Sadly, in these upside down times teachers are often guilty until proven innocent and parents call the school ready for a fight.  Back in my day, if I had done something horrible enough for the teacher to call home, I could expect a spanking. Not a beating given in anger, but discipline given in love. And my parents didn't blame the teacher. Instead they apologized for my behavior. They were ashamed of my behavior. Okay, I need to be politically correct.... choices. My parents were ashamed of my choices. I made the wrong choice. I needed to rethink my choice. Whatever you want to call it, it still means the same. I did something wrong and needed correction... punishment.

Oh, and the word wrong. When did that go out of vogue? I guess it was the same year that we were told not to use the word lazy.   I don't care what you call it- unmotivated, tired, bored, unchallenged.... it is L.A.Z.Y.  There are several days that I am exhausted or unmotivated but I still get out of bed and go to school.  I don't have any excuses or reasons for staying home. But I do have several reasons for going to work.

Here's one. "This is too easy for me. I'm bored with the assignments." "Really? Why don't you try doing them to prove to me that they are too easy for you?" What is really irritating is when these words come from the parent. In over 25 years I have yet to meet a child that is so highly intelligent that every assignment, project, or activity is boring.  I have met several that would rather be having fun than doing 'work' (another taboo word), but I've never had the privilege of someone so intelligent that they were too bored to complete tasks. And... I've had several off-the-charts-smart kids. But, they always contributed and dug deeper and rose to challenges.  I have had a parent tell me that their child was smarter than anyone in the class, including me. Somehow I doubt that and I was never given any evidence to prove it.

You know what?
All of this leaves me pining for the good ole days.

Fall is here!! The leaves are brilliant. The air is crisp.
Here is one of my favorite resources - perfect for this time of year- perfect for combining reading and history!

Squanto



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This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

Are your students engaged? Do they really hang on every word you say and follow your directions to the last detail? Probably not so much. Student engagement is so much more than capturing their attention and holding it. Engagement is the level that they are involved.   Engagement occurs when students would rather complete the lesson than text a friend or check their email. Engagement occurs when students completely forget to count down the clock. The bell rings and they are so surprised.

Achieving engagement isn't easy. And, contrary to some evaluation models, it doesn't occur all the time. This isn't a bad thing.  I think we've been made to feel that if our students aren't engaged 100% of the class time we've failed. Nothing could be further from the truth. Solid teaching of basic facts cannot always be presented in a lesson with high-level engagement. There is a time for necessary business and a time to involve students in the process.

Many resources claim to engage your students. I use this phrase in some of my advertising. But I only use it with resources that truly involve the students in their learning process.  Resources that require a great deal of teacher facilitation are not always engaging. You may have a lesson on the most interesting topic ever written, but you can't keep attention past a certain time. It doesn't  matter how interesting you present the material or how interesting the topic is, minds begin to wander and engagement begins to die.


Here are some simple ways to bring some level of engagement into your lessons.

1. Students need to be taught good listening skills. What may look like simple recall may actually be an engaging lesson in listening. Asking students to repeat instructions or teach another student is a very basic way of engaging them.

2. Chunking up your lesson is a great way to achieve engagement.  Don't try to give all of the instructions at once.  You might even leave something out and let the students problem solve to figure out what to do next.

3. Ask a student to prepare a lesson covering material that has been taught in class.  Then give them an opportunity to teach the class.

4. Turn a lesson into a riddle or a puzzle and have the students solve it.

5. Escape rooms are the newest engagement trick. Students can't help but become involved!

6. Turn a lesson into a game. Most students love to play games. This is also a great way to practice collaboration skills.

7. Older methods, such as reading and then sharing content with a peer, can be revitalized to incorporate some student involvement in the lesson.

Think about what keeps your attention and makes you want to become involved. Chances are it will be the same for your students.


Speaking of engagement and escape rooms.... take a look at this!

Fun Variety of Engaging Lessons! 





Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com

I feel like I woke up in a new world where respect has disappeared. Whatever happened to courtesy or politeness?

 I like having a man hold open a door for me. Doesn't make me feel like a weak, little woman. Not one bit. Makes me feel appreciated and ...respected. And, if I smile and say thank you, it doesn't mean that I think he's cute and want a date. I'm simply being kind. Courteous. Polite. The way my parents taught me to be.

I'm not too proud to say thank you or please.  And, it doesn't hurt my pride to hear them either.  Oh, and I have a name. It isn't Hey You. Or Teacher. If you used my proper name you might get faster and more pleasant results.   If you phrased your question in the form of a request instead of a demand, I might be more willing to go the extra mile. If you let me know that all of my attention to detail and hard work was appreciated, I'd keep it up. It doesn't take much to make me happy and it doesn't take much to ensure my loyalty. It only takes a little... respect.

You may not agree with me or even like me. That's okay. You're entitled to your opinion. But. So. Am. I. That's right. I live in America too. I can have a differing opinion and that's okay. I'm not going to be kicked out of the country or sent packing in a lifeboat. You say that you are tolerant and I am not. Okay. Then give me the same courtesy and listen to what I have to say. Don't want to hear it? Who did you say is being intolerant? I don't think I heard you correctly.

You see we live in a wonderful, crazy world that has thrived on differences and diversity for well over 200 years and all of a sudden history is offensive, tolerance is the word of the century,  and respect has been thrown out with the bath water. Waving at people is a threat, smiling at people can be considered harassment, and we have personnel guides that have grown into volumes. All to make sure that no one is offended.

You know what would solve the whole problem? Respect. Give it. Show it. Expect it.
A simple fix to a world gone crazy with political correctness. A way to bridge the gap. Listen and be heard. A way to value the opinions of others, even when you disagree.

Respect.

Show this scary little resource some respect! Click on the link and check out the preview. Who doesn't like to be scared???


7 Spooky Stories!



Privacy Policy

This blog does not share personal information with third parties nor do I store any information about your visit to this blog other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings. I am not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without my permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on June 5, 2015. If you have any questions feel free to contact me directly at kimberlyfrencken@gmail.com









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