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There is an amusing article in this week’s edition of TES about how to control classroom behaviour, shrouded in the language of Zen-type meditation. The author Steve Edison writes by way of parable contrasting the styles of 3 teachers: Mr Fierce, Mrs Wavering and Ms Zen. |
Mr Fierce
- Darkest threats
- Loudest voice
- Motto “do unto them before they do unto you”.
Comment
The armour of the warrior teacher is but an illusion. When it comes to spotting the weaknesses of adults, children are the champs.
Mrs Wavering
- A pacifist by instinct
- Believes in democratic freedom
- Allows protracted negotiation
- Confers the right to protest
Comment
Mrs Wavering is lost and alone in the wilderness and cannot forge a path to the sunlit uplands of a well-behaved class.
Ms Zen
- Assertive, insists on compliance to her instructions
- Establishes clear expectations of behaviour and regularly reinforces them
- Never ignores bad behaviour hoping it will go away
- Remains calm at all times and only uses a severe tone when necessary
Comment
Repeating this creed several times a day and meditating on its teaching establishes the philosophy. Calm results. Most of the time…
For much more info, have a look at our Classroom Behaviour Course.
What tactics do you use to minimise class disruption?
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