| Author: Ruth Wells, M.S. |
We have so many interventions that sometimes even some of our favorite devices can be forgotten. These techniques used to be regularly included in our class, but not so often now, though perhaps they should be. So, here are some old but golden strategies that should be used, not forgotten. They can transform classroom management problems into classroom management solutions. Want more solutions like these? Our live and taped workshops deliver 200 more attention-grabbing, ready-to-use interventions to turnaround troubled youth and children.
** FOR YOUTH WHO DISRUPT THE CLASS OR GROUP
To teach hand-raising, wave your arms all around and name that "windshield wiper arms" or "helicopter arms." To show students correct hand-raising technique, hold your arm in the air and still and call it "flagpole arm." Using these images may work better than conventional approaches.
** FOR YOUTH WHO CAN'T IMAGINE EVER CHANGING
Have the youth create before and after ads, similar to weight loss commercials. You can even photocopy weight loss ads from magazines and let students insert their own pictures or art work that portrays their own personal before and after. This device is especially good with withdrawn children who dislike talking.
** FOR YOUTH WITH LOW SELF-ESTEEM
Have students create a magazine about what they do well, or are improving. The magazine can feature a picture of the student on the cover and highlight successes that the student has. Name the magazine "Esteem Magazine," with a motto of "For students who know that esteem is more than hot air." The magazine may also contain articles on self-worth and lists such as "The Top
10 Things People Like About Me."
** FOR YOUTH WHO THINK SCHOOL IS A WASTE
Here are the very latest numbers that show once more that education pays and pays and pays! These new numbers make an old intervention even more profound and even more powerful! Use play money to illustrate, or put this information in a chart on your board, or do both. Follow up by having students experience how much money is worth by visiting a store, car dealership or reviewing housing classified ads. As of January, 2000, drop-outs can expect to earn just over $16,000, based on 1998 dollars. High school grads earn nearly $23,000 and college grads almost $45,000. Ask your kids to pick their salary for the new millennium.
** FOR ABSENT YOUTH
For kids who are frequently absent, bring in a lot of legos or lincoln logs. Ask the students to copy a model that you create out of the legos. The students will easily copy the model; discuss that with the class. Next, begin to make a second model for students to copy, but this time, part way through the building process, ask some students to leave the room, then hide several legos inside the model. Recall the students and ask them to compare their model to yours'.
Assist the class to notice the poorer quality that resulted from the absences, then discuss if being absent matters.
** FOR YOUTH FACING PEER PRESSURE
Peer pressure to use drugs and alcohol can be nonstop but here is a quick device to chip away at the power of the pressure. Divide your students into two groups. Give one group bags of M&Ms and give the other group bags of litter. Allow the students to mingle. The students with the litter will try to get others to take their bags while the students with the candy will want to keep their bags and will not force others to take the M&Ms. Relate this phenomena to peer pressure to use substances by discussing that people seldom need to pressure people to do good things, only bad.
** BONUS STRATEGY
For some children, their school teacher may be the only sane, sober adult in their world, then summer break eliminates that contact. Before break, give these students stamped postcards addressed to the teacher at school, and ask the students to write (or draw) messages to the teacher throughout the break. This may give the child more of a sense of connection during break. Arrange to have the cards sent to the teacher during summer, Response cards can be made in advance to return to the child if the teacher will be out of the area, or the teacher can reply as cards are received. Other adults besides the teacher can also be involved. E-mail can be substituted, as possible.
** BONUS STRATEGY
For sad, lonely children over summer, consider involving them in mentoring programs, volunteer service or other contact that fills their time and can give a sense of value and connection that might otherwise be lost. Otherwise, school breaks can be seem very long and hard to children from deeply troubled homes. |
Author Bio:
Get much more information on this topic at www.youthchg.com and theclassroommanagementsite.com. See hundreds more of innovative, problem-stopping interventions at the Youth Change web site. Ruth Wells MS is the director of Youth Change. Ruth is the author of dozens of books including the popular Temper and Tantrum Tamers, Turn On the Turned-Off Student, Last Chance School Success Guide and Maximum-Strength Motivation-Makers. She annually trains hundreds of teachers, counselors and youth professionals in staff development workshops, conferences, seminars and in-service throughout the country. Get free samples and see 100s more of her problem-stopping interventions at Youth Change's web site. Ruth is the author of dozens of books and ebooks, and conducts professional development workshops. Please visit us at our website at www.youthchg.com or feel free to call us at 1-800-545-5736. |
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