School
Early Childhood/ Kindergarten Teachers:
PUZZLE CONTROL: Looking for a way to keep track of those puzzle pieces? Before letting the students have the puzzles, give each puzzle a different number. Then write the number on the back of each puzzle piece and the base, using a dark marker. If the puzzles get mixed up, the pieces can quickly be sorted and put back together.
For the puzzles that come in a box, write the number inside the top and bottom of the box and then number the pieces. You may want to use a small plastic box with a snap-on lid to keep the pieces together. Cut out the small picture on the box and tape to the plastic box, with the number written next to it.
All Ages
WRITING AS A FORM OF DISCIPLINE
As teachers, it can be tempting to have students write sentences 100 times to help them change a behavior. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE DON’T!!! What the student learns is how to hate writing . This is not just a writer/teacher talking; it’s based on sound psychological research about how our minds learn behavior. Each stroke of the pen or chalk is drilling into the student’s head how distasteful writing is, not that gum chewing is not allowed or it’s necessary to be quiet in class when the teacher is talking.
You can still use writing to help your students modify their behavior. Require them to write a few paragraphs about what should be done differently next time. Or let them share their feelings and thoughts about what just happened. Now the students are learning how to verbalize their actions and how they can control what happens. Younger students could draw a picture and dictate their thoughts to you.
Writing is a powerful tool for children and adults. Let’s help all of our students learn to use it for the greater good.
