RAPPORT
The beginning of this chapter hits the topic that can make or break educators from year to year. Classroom Management. I'd like to say that this is just a "newbie" teacher problem, but it is not. We all deal with issues and concerns regardless of how long we have been teaching. Consider this quote:
"We don't want to develop techniques to win behavior management battles, we want to develop techniques that allow us to avoid battles altogether."(Burgess p.19)
However, Burgess suggests that most (definitely not all) problems can be headed off at the pass, simply by doing one thing: Talking with your students.
" Misbehavior usually indicates boredom, overwhelm, or lack of connection to the material being covered." (Burgess p. 20)
"Spend less time trying to get students interested in what you are presenting and more time making connections between what you are presenting and what they are already interested in." (Burgess p.20)
Take time to talk with your students:
1. Before class
2. In the hallway
3. Between classes
4. At lunch
5. At recess
6. During dismissal
7. Any time you see a student!
"Building rapport is all about interacting with your students as fellow human beings, not just as subordinates." (Burgess p.21)
Burgess suggests that building good rapport with his student also encourages student buy-in to the class. Burgess works hard at building rapport with his students so he can then become "that teacher". You know who I mean. The one you like as a co-worker, but secretly think is a little insane? The one that gets the scores, though you don't know how since all they do is "play"?
"I actively encourage teachers to develop a classroom climate where students feel like doing the outrageous; where the out of the ordinary and sometimes silly are the norm."(Burgess p.21)
"Put a premium on making your class fun and entertaining from the start." (Burgess p.22)
Burgess uses this chapter to walk us through his first 3 days of school. This is a highly entertaining read, and if you haven't read this chapter yet, well, what are you waiting for? I was also reassured by so many practices that happen here in SB. (Again, some will work for you and some will not.)
"I will pull out all the stops to convince them (the students) it doesn't matter if they have failed before because my class is absolutely and completely different." ( Burgess p.31)
"I explain how the brain works and how a positive learning environment is critical for higher-order thinking to take place." ( Burgess p.31)
"I'm selling education... a life-altering product that can transform the human spirit and literally change the world one student at a time." (Burgess p.32)
DISCUSSION QUESTION #1: How can we create an environment in our classes that develops rapport?