How to Diffuse Classroom Behaviors/ What to Do When a Student…. -Jackie Novotny

Who am I? Why am I here? Jackie Novotny Hillside’s culture? 7th year English Teacher, Department Chair, Beginning Teacher Mentor, Nationally Board Certified Hillside High School- Durham Lateral entry – from NC TEACH Hillside’s culture? Huge free and reduced lunch population Low test scores Low motivation Diverse in a way that’s not diverse at all IB Program, AP classes, BFA, etc.

Where do the problems stem from? Organizational systems not in play! Attendance? Parent contact? Grading work? Passing back work? Accepting late work? Bathroom policies? Consequences not clear. PBIS model (we’ll come back to this)

Where do the problems stem from? Instruction Not Engaging Not Meaningful Not Challenging Bell-to-Bell Instruction is missing! How can I fill this time? Why are we doing this!?

Day One. Setting the tone. What do I need to do to make sure I don’t set myself up for failure? Start Day One Syllabus Go over all components Signed by students AND parents Classroom Procedures Go over components Importance of practice, practice, practice Parent AND student signature! Day one can be on literally day one… or the first day you decide to try something new.

Creating a Nurturing Environment Student Activities on Day One. Poem (Teaching Parallel Structure) Mind Map (Teaching Brainstorming) Intro welcome letter (Writing assessment) Keeping track of students’ progress and their activities outside of your room (attendance sheet) What activities do they do? When can you incorporate their skills in class? DJ Singer Actor

PBIS Positive Behavior Intervention System Consequences… This is great if your school has bought in… but if not, create your own! Reward being in your seat when the bell rings. Reward not tardy students after an identified time frame. Reward work turned in on time. Consequences… Classroom (may be same as school) School

Scenarios / Situations What do I do when… A student won’t give up a cellphone? In my class, we have two options: 1) You give it up and I take it until the end of the class. 2) You charge it while I teach? If we don’t…we follow PBIS. Contact parent, contact guidance… etc.

Scenarios/ Situations What do I do when… There is a fight. What do you think? If you can diffuse it before it begins, that’s always best. It’s not always best to remove the aggressor…. Sometimes the one being attacked is still able to be talked down.

Scenarios/ Situations What do I do when… Cursing is a problem. Know your limits! What words are absolutely non negotiables? Can you explain code-switching? Do you feel the same if they’re talking about an issue in class?

Scenarios/ Situations What do I do when… Bullying occurs? Referral and parent phone call home Guidance Referral for kid being bullied

Scenarios/ Situations What do I do when… A kid starts to fail… and wasn’t before. Start with the kid. Guidance referral if you feel there is something bigger happening Coach? Mentor? Tutoring program? Phone call home

Scenarios/ Situations What do I do when… A child is sleeping. Don’t embarrass the kid, issues at home may be the root of the lack of sleep. Talk to the kid during class if there is a time, or ask him or her to stay after.

Contact Me!  E-mail: Jaclyn.novotny@hillsidehornets.net Google Site: https://sites.google.com/site/novotnysenglishclass/ (just search: Novotny’s English Class)