10 Ways to Be a Light-Hearted Teacher
While browsing on the internet I found the article “10 Ways to Be a Light-Hearted Parent” by Gretchen Rubin. I absolutely loved the article and I immediately noticed how this could easily be used in the classroom as well. Every thing in italics is of my own, but the rest was written by Gretchen Rubin and can be found here.
1. At least one a day, make each child helpless with laughter. I love this. Laughter in the classroom is one of the very best ways to keep your students engaged always.
2. Sing in the morning. It’s hard to sing and to maintain a grouchy mood, and it sets a happy tone for everyone-particularly in my case, because I’m tone deaf and my audience finds my singing a source of great hilarity. Once again I completely agree. Singing is an excellent way to remember new material as well. I love playing fun, up-beat music in the mornings for students.
3. Get enough sleep yourself. It’s so tempting to stay up late, to enjoy the pease and quiet. But morning comes fast. Along the same lines…
4. Wake up before your kids. We were so rushed in the morning that I started getting up half and hour earlier than my children. That means I can get myself organized, check my email, post to Slate, and get my bag packed before they get up. It’s tough to wake up earlier, but it has made a huge difference in the quality of our mornings. Rather than waking up earlier than the students, arrive at school earlier. Most schools have a policy for teachers to be at school before students, but if yours does not strive to arrive before your kids do.
5. I’ve been researching the hedonic treadmill: people quickly adapt to new pleasures or luxuries, so it takes a new pleasure to give them a jolt of gratification. As a result, I’ve cut back on treats and impulse buys for my kids. The ice-cream sandwich or the Polly Pockets set won’t be an exciting treat if it isn’t rare. Tangible reinforcement works with students, just ensure that it is only given when the students are truly behaving or working in the way they should. With that being said verbal reinforcement is always welcome in my classroom-too much is never enough.
6. Most messages to kids are negative: “stop,” “don’t,” “no.” So I try to cast my answers as “yes.” “Yes, we’ll go as soon as you’ve finished eating,” not “We’re not leaving until you’ve finished eating.” It’s not easy to remember to do this, but I’m trying. This also works with discipline. I read an article a few months ago in which rather than telling students no or to threaten a punishment, reassure the students with “I really don’t want you to get in trouble so…”
7. Look for little ways to celebrate. I haven’t been doing holiday breakfasts long, but they’re a huge source of happiness. They’re quick, fun, and everyone gets a big kick out of them. In the classroom, try to find odd holidays throughout the months of school to celebrate. Check on the post on May Holidays.
8. Repetition works. A friend told me he was yelling at his kids too much, so he distilled all rules of behavior into four key phrases: “keep your hands to yourself”; “answer the first time you’re asked”; “ask first”; and “stay with us” (his kids tended to bolt). You can also use the school mantras: “Sit square in your chair;” “accidents will happen,” “you get what you get, and you don’t get upset” (i.e., when cupcakes are handed out, you don’t keep trying to switch).
9. Say “no” only when it really matters. Wear a bright red shirt with bright orange shorts? Sure. Put water in the toy tea set? Okay. Sleep with you head at the foot of the bed? Fine. Samuel Johnson said, “All severity that does not tend to increase good, or prevent evil, is idle.“
10. When I find myself thinking, "Yippee, soon we won’t have to deal with a stroller,” I remind myself how fleeting this is. All too soon the age of Cheerios and the Tooth Fairy will be over. The days are long, but the years are short. Every class is different, and in the following years you may miss the “trouble class” even down to the worst distraction. Enjoy each year with each student because for as long as you are teaching, it is guaranteed you will never have the same class.
