Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tips #96-100
Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #96
EFFECTIVE LUNCHROOM STRATEGIES PART VII
IT’S LUNCH: EAT
This is something that most of you are doing anyway since this is probably the only time that you have to eat. If you are not already doing this, start. Eating with students gives them the implicit message that you are just here to relax and talk with them. Students are much more likely to exhibit negative behaviors with someone that they feel is there to stop them from doing so.
Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #97
EFFECTIVE LUNCHROOM STRATEGIES PART VIII
EMPATHETICALLY EXCLUDE
When a student exhibits a negative behavior that is too negative to be handled with a preventive intervention, empathetically exclude him to an empty table and let him know that he can try being with everyone else at lunch time on the next school day. NEVER talk to a student once they have been excluded.
Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #98
EFFECTIVE LUNCHROOM STRATEGIES PART IX
BE WITH THE FOOD
When possible, place yourself next to the food as it is being served. From here, shake a lot of hands and give a lot of hugs. Being where the food is served supercharges relationship building and creates love for the adult.
Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #99
EFFECTIVE LUNCHROOM STRATEGIES PART X
DROP THE MIC
Never sit or stand on a stage with a microphone and tell kids what to do at lunch. This has nothing but negative effects on students. They feel bossed around, their voice levels go up to compete with the mic, and it creates a feeling of being under an authoritarian regime. Instead, unplug the mic, put it away, and sit down and eat with your students.
Kid Whisperer Nation Teacher Tip #100
EFFECTIVE LUNCHROOM STRATEGIES PART XI
LAUGH
Laughing along with students lowers your blood pressure, lowers your stress level, and shows everyone that you are an authority figure because it implies that you are relaxed and that nothing that students do is going to get you off track, or make you upset or nervous.