The Power of the Timer!

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Home : 2003 : October : 7

The Power of the Timer!
By LindaR

Hi Homework Blues :-)

This is my third year of using the RRS approach, but I'm in a very unique environment---much like yours. I have small groups of students for only an hour a day (I also have a group for 2 hours).
I am a Literacy Intervention Teacher this year.
My afternoon group gives me the most trouble (many factors, I'm sure!). They have negative attitudes towards everything in life.... Due to the fast pace nature of the remediation program I'm teaching, I've had to give my students a "crash course" on my expectations and levels of behavior. I've come close to losing my cool, mainly because

of the pressure I feel about the short amount of time that I have these kids.

I have complete confidence in the RRS system, so I knew there had to be a solution....this week, I've had a stopwatch, and everytime someone would act up, I'd immediately start the timer.

It's been an amazing time and sanity saver! I don't understand the power of the timer :-)

When I stop the timer, I look at it and say something positive, like: "Wow, I noticed that you're getting better at managing your learning time!" You mentioned the negativity that surrounds these kids before they come to you---as you know, positivity is a key component of the RRS system, so hang in there!

So far, this has been a pretty productive week for my students!

I hope this helps!