PBIS Refresher

PBIS Refresher

Here we are already in the last trimester of the 2019-2020 school year.  I don’t know about you, but this school year has seemed to go faster than any of the ones before it.  One of my favorite things about being a teacher this time of the school year is reflecting back on how much my students have learned since August.  As I prepare students for these last few months it is inevitable that we will review what we have learned.  

One of the most important things that we have started to review is school and classroom expectations. It’s important to reteach behavior expectations throughout the school year, but as we get closer to Spring Break I have noticed my students forgetting some of our rules both in the classroom and out.  Last week, my whole school participated in a PBIS Refresher Week. This was perfect timing! As a grade level, we walked our school campus and discussed behavior expectations for each area of our school. In my class, I took the time to focus on a part of our PBIS matrix for the week. For the rest of the school year, we will continue to focus on a different part each week.  

Last week we focused on Line Basics (straight line, hands still, single file, with a smile).  I have a really sweet class that is full of joy, excitement, and lots of energy which is great.  We have wonderful classroom discussions but overall the class can get really chatting at times, especially when we are lining up.  I knew that this was the thing I wanted to focus on first. Even before I knew we had a PBIS Refresher Week on the calendar, I knew I wanted to review with my students.  Here are some things that helped me plan my PBIS refresher.

When should you review student expectations:

• Whenever a student, a group of students, or the whole class isn’t following PBIS rules and expectations.  Sometimes we just stop what we are doing and review expectations.
• At the beginning of the year.  My school takes the first two weeks in August to teach grade-level and school-wide rules and expectations.  We even have a PBIS kick-off rally. Usually, the first review for me starts after we have been in school for about a month.  Students are a little more comfortable with you and sometimes need a behavior reminder.  
• After holidays, and long breaks, and in this case right before a holiday break.  I know my students are excited for Spring Break and even Summer Break, so I want to remind them of PBIS rules and expectations for the rest of our year together.  
• Ongoing throughout the school year.  You could review a different PBIS rule or expectation every week like I am doing now.  

How to review student behavior expectations:

• Be positive! 
• Start by asking students what the expectations are.  The will gladly remind everyone.
• Reward students, I always have little erasers and pencils that I had out.  We also use Tiger Pride Tickets school-wide. Students earn the tickets and can use them to buy a prize.  I hand these out throughout the day but I made sure to give out rewards for students following the behaviors we are focusing on.  
• Use a calm voice, don’t raise it

This week we are focusing on transitions in the classroom.  I have continued to reward students for last week’s focus as well as this week’s.  I love how excited students are to follow the rules and expectations. As my students were coming back from P.E. today I opened the door to hear them reminding each other of line basics! 

Learning and Teaching with Grace,Alina

Increasing Achievement Through Relationships

Increasing Achievement Through Relationships

The month of December is exhausting! There is sugar in the air and so much to do in such a short time. I am beyond overwhelmed with being faced continuously with classroom projects, decorations, and adorable bulletin boards on social media. I start to wonder... Am I a fun-enough teacher? Do I do enough? How do all of these teachers do it? But then I stop.. and listen. My students are so happy. They tell me that they love school and that I am the best teacher in the world. We have built a mutual relationship because I just adore them. We have this relationship not because I have the best-themed room or best bulletin boards it is because we have a connection. My students know that I believe in them. My students know I respect them and want them to grow socially, emotionally and academically. We must believe as teachers that each student has the ability to grow and be successful no matter where they begin. They have the power to do so with our guidance and support.

The thing I know for sure is that if you want to build a growth-minded classroom, it's imperative that we spend time building relationships with our students. Students with a fixed-mindset are anxious and fearful about making mistakes in front of their teacher and classmates. They are afraid to fail so they avoid challenges and give up quickly. Stepping away from a fixed mindset to a growth mindset takes vulnerability. As their teacher, you need to be that person they feel safe enough around to show that vulnerability. A teacher who trusts and respects them, wants the best for them and won't judge them when they make a mistake. With all of this faith, your students might be willing to take the leap. Here is a great TED Talk that inspires me to be a champion for my students...

Every Kid Needs a Champion (7:48) Rita Pierson

So how do we do it? How do we get every child to know we believe in them, value them and want them to be successful in all that they do?

Make eye contact

Be intentional and engage with students who you’re speaking with. The two-minute check-in. Before school, after school, and during breaks make it your goal to engage students in non-school-related topics of conversation. This strategy will help you learn more about your students’ interests, build trusting relationships, improve classroom management, and curb attention-seeking behaviors.

Students feel safe with their teacher

Students should feel completely safe in your classroom and in your presence. Students should know that you want what’s best for them, you’ll protect them, and you’ll unconditionally care for them no matter what mistakes they make. 

Students must know that their teacher has faith in their ability to achieve

If we expect our students to have faith in themselves to grow, they must sense that we genuinely, and enthusiastically believe in them too. They need reminders DAILY that you believe in their ability.

Students seek and embrace their teacher’s feedback  

When students believe that you have their best interests at heart they’ll respond to feedback in more productive ways. Make it clear to students that their growth is your main priority, and let them know that the purpose of constructive feedback is to help them improve. 

Students know that grades are less important than growth 

Help students set goals for themselves. Let them know that grading is part of the process and a source of data about their overall performance, but the most important thing to you is their progression toward the goals that you’ve set together. Keep an open dialogue about overcoming challenges and obstacles, and while grades should matter to you, the letter grade, in itself, should never hold more value than the progress it indicates. 

Students respect and like their teacher as a person

Build deeper relationships with your students and take a personal interest in their lives and well-being. Take time to get to know your students’ out-of-school interests. The more information you have about each of your students, the deeper you can build your relationships and better tailor a learning experience most beneficial to them. Likewise, share appropriate personal information with your students to forge a deeper mutual relationship.

Positively Teaching,  

Randi Muehlen

What Made You Begin a Career Teaching?

What Made You Begin a Career in Teaching?

It's the start of a new school year! For many of us who have taught for years, our mindset may be summer is over and we are going back to work.  For new teachers, the mindset tends to channel the exciting start to a new chapter.  Beginning my 9th year, I love to reflect back on that feeling of starting my first year of teaching and why I chose to be a teacher.  There is power in remembering your purpose, passion, and role in educating young minds daily!

"Know what sparks the light in you; then use that light to illuminate the world!" -Oprah Winfrey

You Are Making A Difference!

Remember when you were in school and you had that one teacher that would greet you with a smile or high five and say good morning each day?  You may not have realized it at the time, but I bet reflecting back you understand how meaningful that small part of the day was.  Each morning we have the opportunity to connect, inspire, and create a positive experience for our students.  We are unaware of what each student experiences in their life before and after school, but in the middle of those time periods is our chance to make a difference in the life of a child every day.  A smile, a lesson, a listening ear, a joke, a positive outlook, and a connection with each individual student is the start of an impactful school year!

"The strength of our student relationships makes the difference in translating 

our passion for teaching into their passion for learning." - Beth Morrow

Making a Positive Connection With Students

1. Send an "About The Teacher" letter home

• Students of any age love learning about their teacher!

2. Have students complete an "All About Me" poster

• Students get a chance to shine by selecting a pointer and sharing orally with the class.

3. Participate in Kagan community and team building activities

• Students get a chance to learn about their classmates in a fun, engaging way!

4. "Student of the Week" Award to incorporate PBIS

• Recognize a new student each week for positive behavior.

Learning and Teaching With a Smile,

Jenna Russ