Teacher’s Tone

1. Teacher’s Tone 7th/8th Grade Recap from the Scenario Activity

2. Scenario #1 • Mr. Michaels calls on students who is not paying attention while mistakenly missing a student who has their hands raised. • Daydreaming student says he was never taught this stuff, and teacher replies rudely stating that he should have learned the material in elementary school. 8th Grade 7th Grade • Teacher should circulate for better view of the room • Guide student towards correct answer or an educated guess • Do not embarrass child • Ask another kid to help out • Problem: went on a defensive statement • Solution: redirect them privately or use other students to help • View of classroom- reorganize seating • Before asking the question, check for prior knowledge • Appears teachers aim was to agitate student • Could’ve said “if you don’t know let’s hear from someone who might” after the student said they didn’t know • Organize classroom seating • Ask another student to help him out • Never ridicule or blame a student • Know your student • Don’t take remarks personally

3. Scenario #2 • One particular student, who is a child that has been known to express off-task behaviors and disrupts other students during instruction, has taken a seat in the back of the classroom. • The student has challenged Mrs. Barber several times in the past and has developed a reputation for giving other adults in the school a hard time. 8th Grade 7th Grade • See what’s wrong- try to talk to the student • Change the student’s seat • Contact a parent • Do not allow student to put head down- it sends a message to the rest of the students that that sort of behavior is ok. • Easy way out is to let child keep their head down, but it sets the wrong example • Invest child in what is happening in the classroom • Wake child up in a gentle way; quietly catch up on discussion and include a follow-up after class • Have student sit in the front of the class moving forward… following a conversation after class. • Suggest to the student to get water and use the bathroom in order to wake up

4. Scenario #3 • Mr. Wilson asks Leah why she isn’t reading her novel, and Leah decides to tell Mr. Wilson that she doesn’t give a (bleep) if he writes her up. • Leah walked out of the classroom and Mr. Wilson called the office, and used his cell phone during the class period and attempted to call Leah’s mother. 7th Grade 8th Grade • Problems: asked “What’s your problem?” and got angry • Solution: stay calm and give redirection • Use less inflammatory language • Readdress expectations about what students should be doing in class. • Ask student to speak to anyone or respond to another adult. • Stay calm, do not overreact. • Find out if student has trouble reading • Instead of yelling, redirect Leah. Remind her of the task • Figure out the underlying cause of the behavior • Build relationships with students so that friendly sarcasm can be effective, not confrontational. • Model appropriate/ desired behavior. • Discuss with student the actual refraction. Approach with positive attitude.

5. Scenario #4 8th Grade 7th Grade • Teacher needs to sell material and the lesson better • Remind of important information -> quiz • Take kids’ input/ feedback on why the material is not interesting • Make it about kids • Problems: threw degree in students’ faces, made it seem as if they were teaching just for the money • Use energizer to raise energy level • Know your students • Use physical activity • Communicate with colleagues about ideas • Try hands on introduction, spin to let students know you’ve prepared a challenge for them with material • Increase student engagement • Make relevant to student • Gather prior knowledge of material and students • Survey the students • Quick energizer, i.e. something physical, move around to get energy level up • Watch your language! Know your audience- DIFFERENTIATE • Be able to switch gears • Student feedback Teacher has worked very hard to organize her presentation. The energy level in the class is very low. Some of the students appear to be falling asleep. The teacher responds by saying the following: “I have my degree, and I will get paid whether you learn this information or not.”.

6. To Be Continued… What’s Next? Create a Venn Diagram to illustrate the similarities and differences between the 7th and 8th grade teams. Add three statements at the bottom: • It was interesting that… • I now noticed that… • I still would like to discuss…