Think about all of the key
transitional times students face -- changing classrooms and subjects, cafeteria
time, recess/PE, breaks withing the school day, field trips, before and after
school, beginning of the school year, ending of the school year, holiday
breaks, and graduation from high school.
What advice would you give a new or
struggling teacher about how to prepare good transitions for struggling
students who are coming to their classrooms and/or share ways that you have
successfully built relationships with struggling students in the past that
helped make for a good year for both of you.
The most important piece of advice I would give a new teacher about handling transitions and change with struggling students would be to make sure they are communicating with their students, not just their Billy’s but all their students, about the change or transitions ahead of time. Being a rotation teacher, we have several times throughout the year where we have changes to our schedule due to activities and check-ups for our students. As soon as I know about these changes, I communicate them with all my students ahead of time so they know what to expect. I also try to make sure I have a one on one conversation with the students I know struggle with change or transition to make sure they understand what will be going on and find out if there is anything I can do to make the transition or change more comfortable or easier for them.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having one on one conversations with kids that don't handle change well. Taking time to make sure they understand the change and initiating the conversation shows that you care. I also want to do better at greeting the students at my door with a smile. Too often, teachers are trying to do things during the transition time too, that we forget to say, "Good Morning", "How are you?, or "I'm glad to see you today." I think walking into the room of a teacher who has greeted you with a smile on their face has its very own calming effect.
DeleteOne on one conversations are great! Yes, sometimes not only do the "Billy's" need that but others need that too. Reassurance is never a bad thing. Agree Beth, that smile on the teacher's face is calming to students and kind words to begin the class that the adult in there does care about me--makes a good class!
DeleteI agree. I am not naturally a big planner, I am pretty "go with the flow." But some kids are not and like to know what is going on ahead of time. One on one conversations are a great idea!
DeleteI would def do as Bess said and try and build a relationship. And it is definitely hard to do so sometimes esp when the Billy’s are disrespectful. But as the book says we have to think outside the traditional view and think about the students history. I would tell them they have to be patient and caring, talk to them every chance they get. Also get to know what he likes or his hobbies are and then talk and expand on that. Walk with him to places just to let him know you are there and willing to help.
ReplyDeleteYou make a great point. We are human too, and it is hard to build that relationship when Billy is so disrespectful but thinking outside the traditional view and knowing that we don't know all the trauma that got him to that point helps us want to reach out. There have been times that I've had to power through to get that relationship and I've been surprised by little quirks and bits of knowledge Billy would share with me, which made me love him even more.
DeleteOur kids don’t have long to transition at our school so we must prepare them before the bell rings. For the ones that are struggling the most or are disorganized and less punctual, I usually give them a head start on getting their stuff together. Also, when kids are entering my class from another, the bell ringer and class instructions I put on the screen helps with the transition as well. Students know exactly what to do and don’t have to sit there at their desk and ponder. Greeting them at the door helps as well. I will give them reminders as they walk by me in the hall and sometimes let them know how much time is left. It seems more students need constant reminders today than in years past. Whatever you do, have a plan!
ReplyDeleteI agree that the bell ringer is a great way to communicate to your students about the day's or week's activities. I also like the fact that the student's know where to look to find this information without always having to ask the teacher.
DeleteThe advice I would give a new or struggling teacher about how to prepare good transitions for struggling students who are coming to their classroom is to use a timer to remind yourself and the students a few minutes before the bell rings to gather their belongings. All so make sure they have a clock in your classroom and depending on how many struggling students they can have individual timer (no sound). Communicate to all your student their plans. Have a Buddy system and put a well organised students (if they are willing to do it) with a struggling student.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you Karlene, having a clock visible in the classroom is such an easy way to help the students to transition. I know myself as a co-teacher that I like to have a clock to know when I need to prepare to change classes.
DeleteThe timer is a great idea! I never realized how detrimental it could be to Billy by "teaching from bell to bell" without giving them to time to breathe, gather belongings, and prepare for the transition out of my classroom.
DeleteThe one thing I would advise a new teacher is to be as transparent as possible. Communicate with the students, let them know ASAP of any changes to the schedule, and for the Billys PREPARE them. I know with several of our students if we know of any drills or changes to the schedule we pull them and try to have a one on one conversation with those students in order to alleviate as much stress as possible. I know with our more severe students we also try to provide them with sensory items(weighted blankets, weighted toys, play dough) in order to help them to cope.
ReplyDeleteI would advise any teacher, young or old, to openly communicate with your class about schedule change. As a teacher, I like routine. I'm not a big fan of constantly changing the schedule, so I can understand how it might impact certain students. I feel it is important to make sure your classes are aware of any upcoming changes for the week. I typically inform my students of the weeks schedule on Monday. I tell them of any upcoming quizzes, tests, or schedule changes and this helps to alleviate some of the concern they might have about transitioning throughout the week.
ReplyDeleteI agree Paul because students don't always want to admit it but they like rules and routine. Communication is key along with the teachers understanding the changes ahead of time. Many times I get busy doing other things and forget about the schedule change so I can just imagine how these students must feel not knowing what to expet.
DeleteI agree Paul -students like routine. They like to know what to expect in class each day. This is not to say they don't like variety, but they do like consistency. If nothing else, they like to feel like they are "in the know" and communication in key. Similar to Paul I try to let my students know what we will be doing in class for the week - even if I am unsure of specifics - like what day they will have their test - I try to give them the possibilities and tell them I plan to give the test Thursday, but if we don't finish everything on time it may be Friday. This allows students who need to plan ahead to be able to do this. I also write this on the board, so they can refer to it all week as a constant reminder.
DeleteI would tell them to make sure to be building the relationships we all have been talking about with their students and have a plan and execute that plan consistently. I would also tell them to not be afraid to seek out help from their team members. Also I would tell them that it is OK to adjust their plan if necessary. I can recall when I was teaching PE that we would have a new game or concept that was being taught and I did not like the results therefore if I wanted to continue with that particular game I would have to make adjustments in order for it to work the way I saw best for all of the students involved(Flexibility).
ReplyDeleteAs my colleagues have mentioned, relationships are a must for every situation at school. I would relate to a beginning teacher-build those relationships! Meet and greet at the door each day, each class. This sets the mood for the class. It is not only beneficial for the student but also the teacher. Teachers have bad days too and that smile and (use to be hug) and sweet/kind words makes us feel better too. You know immediately if "Billy" is having an off day and to prepare accordingly for the next hour. Most people do not like changes and if there will be changes people like to know ahead of time. Change for fifth graders is difficult. If there is a change in schedule and we know ahead of time, our fifth grade team prepares our students by going over this repeatedly each day until the change occurs. Sometimes even with "Billy" knowing a change is going to happen he does not do well, so let him change and move before his class does. This often does help and keeps him out of chaos as he sees it.
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ReplyDeleteI would express the importance of building relationships with each and every one of your students. If we gain a better understanding we are going to create an environment where they can be successful. Students should feel like you want them in the classroom and this comes from building relationships. Students want to see us! Whether it's in the hall, lunchroom, or at their after school activities such as athletics and band, have found that students respond in a very positive way when you show interest in them outside the classroom.
I agree with several of the responses above. Whenever there is a schedule change I always try to post on the board and go over with the class so they will know what to expect. If I am aware that certain students have difficulty with change I always try to pull them aside and talk to them individually. For one of our students that could be that we were getting a new seating chart and wanted to make him aware of where he would be sitting and if he was comfortable where I had placed him. At other times it might just be that we were playing a team game or we were working on chrome books that day. I had been told that these things caused him stress, but typically if I made him aware of what was going on in class that day we did fine. Not every single time, but usually.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Bess. As a rotation teacher we must always be ready for change. We do many different activities during "rotation" time. It is very important to let our students know about these changes.
ReplyDeleteI had a students last year that needed to know about the changes ahead of time. This would help him prepared mentally so he would not have a break down.
I know we have said this multiple times, but it all comes down to relationships. All students, but especially struggling ones, want you to believe in them. Set them up to succeed and build on that. This starts from day 1. I also try to share some things about myself, but not always the good things I have done. I want them to know that I had an F on my report card one time because I gave up. But I also suffered the consequences of that (Mom made me quit the basketball team) and the next nine weeks I had a good grade. It lets them see I am human, and have made mistakes, but can still be successful.
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