Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Teaching Like Champion TLC
Disclaimer: This system is a work in progress for my classroom. They don't always respond like this, but this is how it's supposed to look:) These are the things that I've started working on with TLC.
SLANT: This is the acronym for how kids should pay attention. They should sit up, listen to the speaker, ask and answer questions to show their understanding, nod their (occasionally and at appropriate times) head to show they are following, and track the speaker (their eyes are following the speaker at all times.
100% The teacher sets the expectation that %100 of the class responds to the teacher's directions. When getting attention the teacher does not begin until all students are showing SLANT every time. Simple, but hard to do every time especially when feeling pressured for time. It's worth it though and gets easier when it is consistently enforced.
Strong Voice: Having a strong voice can be as simple as your posture, tone, and volume. Standing up straight commands respect. Using an even confident tone and volume (not too loud) and a smooth unrushed cadence also help others listen to you respectfully.
Morning Routine: The morning routine is the same every day. I teach them how to come into the classroom and do each step.
Do Now: This is the seat work they are to do. They always have one as part of their morning routine. By 9:10 every student is to be working on Do Now. Do Now is supposed to be on their desk before class. We attempt to get RAH minutes entered as a class before 9:15.
Desk Station: I teach them what they can have in their desk and how it should be organized. There is a poster on my wall about what a desk station should look like. I do random checks of desk stations to keep them accountable. Also every paper is put into their folders exactly where I tell them to put it.
Seat Signals: During instruction or seatwork, the kids use the seat signals to let me know some important things they might need. I use the signals on the poster to the right for tissue, need a pencil, bathroom break. They don't have to interrupt the class and I can take care of their need while still teaching.
Props: This is giving positive feedback to the kids. These are fun and quick. The one I've been using is "Two snaps, two stomps". I'll see Dave showing really good slant and tell the class to give two snaps, two stomps for Dave's SLANT and everyone does it in sync. It takes 4 seconds and then we move on. Good positive feedback. They say in the book we should have a ration of 6:1 of positive to negative comments.
This has been the best start to a school year so far and I feel much more in control and relaxed. The kids seem very happy with our routines and school in general. I have had several some nice positive feedback from parents as well. It works, it's simple, and it's worth the investment of time.
SLANT: This is the acronym for how kids should pay attention. They should sit up, listen to the speaker, ask and answer questions to show their understanding, nod their (occasionally and at appropriate times) head to show they are following, and track the speaker (their eyes are following the speaker at all times.
100% The teacher sets the expectation that %100 of the class responds to the teacher's directions. When getting attention the teacher does not begin until all students are showing SLANT every time. Simple, but hard to do every time especially when feeling pressured for time. It's worth it though and gets easier when it is consistently enforced.
Strong Voice: Having a strong voice can be as simple as your posture, tone, and volume. Standing up straight commands respect. Using an even confident tone and volume (not too loud) and a smooth unrushed cadence also help others listen to you respectfully.
Morning Routine: The morning routine is the same every day. I teach them how to come into the classroom and do each step.
Do Now: This is the seat work they are to do. They always have one as part of their morning routine. By 9:10 every student is to be working on Do Now. Do Now is supposed to be on their desk before class. We attempt to get RAH minutes entered as a class before 9:15.
Desk Station: I teach them what they can have in their desk and how it should be organized. There is a poster on my wall about what a desk station should look like. I do random checks of desk stations to keep them accountable. Also every paper is put into their folders exactly where I tell them to put it.
Seat Signals: During instruction or seatwork, the kids use the seat signals to let me know some important things they might need. I use the signals on the poster to the right for tissue, need a pencil, bathroom break. They don't have to interrupt the class and I can take care of their need while still teaching.
Props: This is giving positive feedback to the kids. These are fun and quick. The one I've been using is "Two snaps, two stomps". I'll see Dave showing really good slant and tell the class to give two snaps, two stomps for Dave's SLANT and everyone does it in sync. It takes 4 seconds and then we move on. Good positive feedback. They say in the book we should have a ration of 6:1 of positive to negative comments.
This has been the best start to a school year so far and I feel much more in control and relaxed. The kids seem very happy with our routines and school in general. I have had several some nice positive feedback from parents as well. It works, it's simple, and it's worth the investment of time.
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