Horrible day

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Horrible day
By Deni P.

Carol, I can relate to having a horrible time in a fifth grade class for only 1/2 day! There were 34 of them and more than half of the class was disruptive and very loud. This was back when I was trying to use stickers
and/or candy as rewards for cooperation. Very few of them earned anything good that afternoon! The best thing about the job was I taught Social Studies and we discussed civil wars, which led us to the current one in Afghanistan. (This was in December.) It was such a pleasant change to be discussing current world events with older students, since I primarily am needed in the lower grades.

Anyway, in February I participated in a substitute teacher training seminar in Seneca County, Ohio & learned about the "Shooting for the Stars Positive Approach to Discipline" (The 3 Stars Method, for short) which I have been using ever since with great results. If you would like me to forward the text to you, please e-mail me. With some classes, they need to be reminded of what they have to lose if they choose not to cooperate & follow the rules, but let me tell you I have seen much improvement in classes I taught before I started using this method.
When I subbed in a class where there had been many problems & disruptions before, I had a little talk with the class before I explained the 3 Stars deal. I just basically said I felt we got off to a bad start the last time and I wanted them to have a more enjoyable day this time. I also stressed I knew they were a good class and they absolutely could earn the extra 15 minutes of recess at the end of the day. Even the office staff commented on how well-behaved they were in the hallways that day! (Compared to the previous day when they had a different sub.)
Hope this helps you.
Deni P., rural Ohio