Classroom Management Suggestions

·Focus/Noise Control:

-“Raise your hand sky high”: to get them quiet.They can imitate you.

-“If you hear my voice, clap once (twice, three times, etc…)”

-Emphasize RESPECT a lot: These kids have never been respected

-Importance of MODELING: Show kids exactly what you want them to do by doing it yourself!“this is how I want you to go sit down.”You may have to show them again & again.

-Focus their energy on the activity

-Raise your hand if you have something to say

·Remembering names

-Take photos of the kids to help you, & memorize names (works well if you have a digital or Polaroid camera)

-Establish mental process of repeating their names over & over in your head when you first learn them, and every time you see the kid.

-Make mental notes of particular details that identify each kid.

-Ask over & over what their names are

·Keeping them involved in discussions

-Put kids in same spots (i.e., “I want you always on my left.”)

-“I can’t wait to hear what you say.”

-“I see you!”

·Discussion on a deeper level

-Be a MODEL for them: DISCUSS YOUR OWN CONFLICTS!!!

-Tell them they won’t get in trouble if they, say, talk about a fight they’ve been in.

-Try their ideas out in solving a conflict you’re having

·Keeping their general involvement/Good behavior

-Appoint a PEACEMAKER OF THE WEEK: have the kids nominate

-Emphasize the good more than bad

-Use the more involved kids to help you: have them show other kids how fun it is.

·Using your resources

-Ask CLASSROOM teacher his/her methods for keeping kids quiet: the kids are used to them!

·Overcoming cultural differences

-Discuss them out in the open

-Ask, “what are the differences AND similarities between us?”

-“You can either hate me because I’m a difference race, or we can decide to get along.”

-Play up your differences: make jokes, etc.

·Other activities:

-Keeping peace JOURNALS: give class time for this?Or use as focus activity?

-Guided writings: i.e., “write about how your body reacts when you feel angry.”

-CONFLICT BOX:Write something every week & put it in there.

-Exercise: Think of a conflict & write 3 ways in which you could have acted differently.

 

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