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Discipline Strategies: What works and and What Does not

2010-12-01T16:30:00.000-08:00

Knowing when to discipline and how to discipline are difficult issues for all teachers. Some strategies are more effective than others. These tips will help you keep your class running smoothly and ensure that student achievement, not discipline, is the primary focus in your room.

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Shouting or pleading with students to listen to you at the beginning of the period means that you have relinquished control to them. Having a short activity on the board for students to start on as soon as they enter the room and is due 2 minutes after class starts will help them focus. This is sometimes referred to as a "bellringer" activity and it can be very effective.
Have every transition planned out. Planning out transitions means exactly that. Let's say your goal is for students to put their textbook on the back table and get out their notebooks. How will you have them get the textbooks to the back table? Will they pass them back, get up and individually take their books back, or pass them to the front for one student from each row to collect? If students get up to take their books back, how will you have them do that: by row or all at once? How do you want the books placed on the table? Unless you are specific with the kids, you are likely to end up with a mess that you have to straighten up yourself. Do you have a task for students to start on once they get out their notebooks?
Because transitions are so mundane, teachers often skip over the details when planning. But transitions are a prime source of potential discipline issues. Organize smooth transitions and your discipline problems will decrease dramatically.
Image by Getty Images via @daylifeKeep your lessons moving by doing different things about every 15 minutes or so. If you lecture, talk for about 15 minutes and then do something else. For example, have a discussion, have students write down the main point of what you said, give a quick quiz.
If your consequences are not enforced or are too difficult to enforce then your rule is useless. Revise it and tell students the new policy and stick to it! If you can't come up with an appropriate consequence then scrap the rule. Remember that the consequence has to be something that's unpleasant for the kids, but it's not a hardship on you. Keeping a child in during recess means you're stuck with him. Is that what you want?
It takes a while to create a set of rules that works for you. Typically, you shouldn't have more than 3-5 rules. Keep them general and vague. If you are too specific students will make a game of doing something that doesn't quite fit the rule. For example: "Don't run in the hall" is your rule. A student running in the cafeteria might say, "I'm not breaking the rule. I'm in the cafeteria, not the hallway."
Students can be chronic complainers. Don't take it personally. It's their nature. But students should not complain every time you ask them to do something. If this is happening you need to change how you are introducing the assignment. Give them the reason why it's important and be enthusiastic about explaining it. This is called framing and it's an important part of your lesson planning. If students understand why you are asking them to do something they are much more likely to comply.
Image via WikipediaIf you are losing control frequently, get help. Don't be afraid to ask a colleague to sit in and watch what's happening. If things are not going well the word has probably already leaked out. By asking for help you are letting staff and administrators know that you want to improve.
Individual behavior contracts can be very effective with students who are chronic behavior problems. Pick 2 or 3 behaviors that the student must exhibit in your classroom in order for learning to occur for all students. Make sure you request simple, realistic behaviors that the student can achieve. "Never talk without raising your hand" is not realistic for a student in the habit of blurting out. Start with something small, such as "Don't talk without raising your hand for 10 minutes."
Try these strategies and see what works for you. Don't be afraid to change something that's not working. Remember that your goal is that student achievement, not discipline, be the focus of the class period.

Barbara is a professional speaker, seminar/workshop presenter, staff development trainer with 32 years of classroom experience. Her book, A Teacher's Book of 10s" Best ways to Do Everything in the Classroom, will be published in the spring of 2011.
Contact Barbara at http://www.barbaratoney.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_A_Toney

AC College adopts Well Rounded Education model

2010-11-30T23:05:00.000-08:00

AC College is open minded when it comes to education and reform. Each individual learner is inspired to devielop his/her highest potential and one of the key concepts are having well rounded education.

A well-rounded education is the key to a well rounded individual which generally leads to him/her becoming a productive citizen. Schools that adopt a well- rounded curriculum look to develop students who are motivated, critical thinkers and prepared for their future.Image via Wikipedia
This approach to educating young people is an approach that was utilized years ago when this country was rated one of the top educational systems in the world. Some of the qualities of a well-rounded curriculum listed in this article should be developed by all educational systems that believe young people should have numerous educational experiences.
Well rounded-educational curriculums have a different method of delivery in their classrooms. Students are asked to do more gathering, organizing and testing of facts as well as how to communicate those facts.

Students who learn these skills in their early educational years and carry them over to later years will have all the tools needed to be successful throughout their career. These students will be better equipped to analyze and comprehend material as well as develop a deeper understanding of the material. Furthermore, these educational curriculums expose students to a wide variety of subjects, while interconnecting the subjects to help give students an inclusive education. Students can take a music class and learn about the history of music, or physical education and learn about how the body works. Students learn how Interconnecting subjects is an example of how the world works. Another example could involve a Language Arts class writing about the culture, government and political structure from a another country, which is a good way to interconnect their education. In a well-rounded school, any subject can be interconnected with another. Also, schools can continue to expand their students learning by taking them on field trips and utilizing the trip to interconnect with the subject being taught in the classroom.

The well-rounded education will expose students to a number of electives classes such as: art, music, drama, physical education, technology, vocational to name a few. This is an addition to the regular subjects of history, math, science and language arts. Because of the added exposure to a variety of subjects, students will increase their vocabulary, creativity, awareness and possibly find an area of interest for their future.Students who are in the well rounded program understand that education is never complete.

They seek to learn more and be involved in activities that will prepare them for a lifetime of learning and help them to realize that everything is connected. This approach will help students to be more knowledgeable, which will lead to higher standardized test scores and bettered students for the future.

For additional information go to http://www.educationalmarketplace.net
Ronnie Phillips, a very experienced educator and parent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ronnie_Phillips

Mission and Vision

2010-11-30T02:48:00.000-08:00

Accelerated Christian College has it's core principles based on Faith, Vision and Values, the heart of learning. In Christian Education the journey has clear signposts and the security of a known destination. In a word, Christian education is about Hope following through from Preschool to Grade 12.

OUR VISION:

To nurture young people as
Faithful, diligent, loving members of God’s family;
And to challenge and equip them
For Godly leadership
And to use their talents and gifts
In their chosen fields
of Career and Study

Image via WikipediaWhy consider ACC?

•   A child oriented approach.•   Proper guidance by specially selected teachers.
•   Positive Christian approach to develop a child’s self-confidence, self-direction,
      independence and self-discipline.
•   Maintain critical outcomes such as - Communication skills, problem solving,
     entrepreneurship, and respect for individual and cultural differences,
     self-expression and self-control.
•   Actively engaging the child in the learning process, by providing study aids, material and modern
      equipment to enhance his/her ability to think.
•   Stimulate the individual to experience a high degree of success through developmental activities, social
      growth and group activities.
•   Teach the learner to practice thoughtful and courteous behaviour.
•   Develop individual talents to enhance physical, spiritual and creative potential.

AC College Overview

2010-11-17T18:04:00.001-08:00

Image via WikipediaAccelerated Christian College is built on Faith, Vision and Values, which is the heart of learning.
In Christian Education the journey has clear signposts

AC College is a non-profit organization established in 1993 by Matilda Cole, a teacher with a Vision. At the time preceding the opening of this school, since 1989, during the Apartheids Regime, she was secretly teaching children Maths and English on the outskirts of town in South AFrica.
In spite of all apartheid and political opposition she overcame huge obstacles because of her belief in God, Vision and her Love for all people. Infinite possibilities and resounding faith was her strength.

Mr Dennis Cole, the Director, has for the past 15 years developed ACCollege into a school renowned for its high standard of discipline and excellent academic achievement.

The authorities at the Department of Education have lavish praise for our highly skilled and well trained teachers whom are committed to bringing the absolute best out of every learner.

The Principal , Mr van der Linde, the teachers , donors and supporting parents are another largely motivating factor for ACC being able to continue with exemplary education.

Image via Wikipedia
We are all deeply grateful to God and caring freinds of AC College.

If you care to be an active and generous fan of AC College you will be touching the lives of countless children eager to continue their education at a school with an impeccable reputation.

Mrs Matilda Cole remains to be the Ambassador of AC College and is actively sourcing means to find Donors who will sponsor learners out of the poverty stricken surrounding suburbs. Your Help and your dedication to a better South AFrica will be appreciated. Since ACC is a Article 21 registered non-profit organisation , your donations will be tax - deductible within South AFrica under South African Taxation Laws.