Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tips #81-85

Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #81

EFFECTIVE MONITORING PART VIII

KEEP YOUR HEAD UP            

I used to play point guard. The rule for being the guy who brings the ball down the floor on the basketball court is the same for teachers. As much as is possible, you need to position your body and eyes in such a way that you can see all of your students. Of course, from time to time your back will be turned, and once in a long while you will not see a student or two. The key is to keep the time where you can’t see a student to an absolute minimum.

Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #82

EFFECTIVE MONITORING PART IX

OPEN UP TO YOUR LINE 

When taking your class down the hallway, open up your body to your line. In other words, as you walk alongside your line, frequently open up your shoulders so that they are horizontal with the line itself. This allows you to monitor your entire line. Don’t do this constantly and walk like a crab, but don’t let 10 seconds go by without opening up to your line or using a “Crazy Ivan” (see Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip Number 75).

Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #83

EFFECTIVE MONITORING PART X

THE CORNERS ARE YOUR FRIENDS

When taking your students down the hallway, train your line leaders to stop at the corners. Catch up to them when they stop, then have them continue. NEVER turn a corner before the last student in your line does the same. NEVER. The only reason that I am not emphasizing this more is because I don’t know how to do more than put this in bold, italics and underline it. Staying at the corners is the only way to see your entire line.

Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #84

EFFECTIVE MONITORING PART XI

Okay folks, this one is not mine. I am stealing it. It was communicated by a wise teacher and member of Kid Whisperer Nation, Ariella. Please feel free to share your best practices, because best practices for classroom management come from PEOPLE WHO ACTUALLY WORK WITH KIDS and no one else. I’m just going to quote her, because I couldn’t have said it any better. 

“I found the best place for me during a test is at the back of the room behind everyone. That way I can see where all their heads are facing, whether they have anything in their desks to cheat with, and they don’t feel watched.”

Thank you Ariella, for the wise, practical advice!

Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #85

TEACHER/STUDENT VERBAL COMBAT Part I

Kids seem to be born with the skills to be able to gain the upper hand in interactions with adults. Adults on the other hand, have to learn the skills necessary to avoid being sucked into power struggles and maintain their standing as the calm, authoritative adult.

ONLY SAY THINGS ONCE
Fake, spontaneous deafness is a really common kid-skill to which adults often fall prey. Kids LOVE to control adults with a simple “Huh?”, making the adult repeat things. They heard you. Just remember to speak clearly the first time, and when kids try to use the “H” word, simply say, “Oh, man. I only say things once. Thanks.”