Chapter 6 How Do Harry and Rosemary Wong Use Responsibilities and Procedures to Establish Class Discipline?

The Wongs Award winning teachers Now educational publishers and consultants Their book The First Days of School is the bestselling education book of all time

The key to desirable behavior: Clarify the responsibilities of teachers and students Teach the procedures students are expected to follow in class After students are habituated to these responsibilities and procedures misbehavior fades away

The Wong’s procedure in short Everything asked of students involves a procedure, when these procedures are followed automatically classrooms run smoothly Clarify roles and responsibilities Explain and practice procedures until they are automatic The result is effective learning

Some points on classrooms and procedures Effective teachers spend most of the first two weeks of school teaching students to follow classroom procedures not teaching subjects A well-managed classroom is task oriented and predictable From the first minute of the first day of school teachers should begin establishing structure and routine

Some points on teaching The most important factor in school learning is the ability of the teacher Start class immediately; take role later Short assignments produce higher student achievement Intersperse questions through out lessons The more frequent the tests, the higher the achievement

Some points on Discipline Establish and enforce appropriate rules for a safe and effective learning environment Behavior associated with rules must be taught through discussion, demonstration and practice Consequences should be attached to rules – both positive and negative Explain these rules and their consequences on the first day of school

Some points for the first day of class Have classroom ready for instruction Organize classroom with a script Stand at door and greet students Give each student a seating assignment and a seating chart Post an assignment for students to begin when they enter the room

A Discipline Plan Must have rules and consequences Clarify rules and consequences on the first day, before teaching a lesson makes sure rules and consequences are known Develop your discipline plan on the requirements of you and your students needs Limit the maximum number of rules to 5 (stated in a positive manner) Explain the rules and explain how they are put in place to help students learn

Planning and Organizing Organization helps you to stay on schedule Know where things are – everything needs a place

Procedures And What They Entail A teacher providing routine procedures for students gives them the feeling of security and causes less confusion. Teachers must be prepared with a procedure for everything: How to enter and exit a classroom How to come to attention What to do the day after missing class How the class is to begin How to ask for help…etc. Once students have learned and understand the procedures they should have no trouble dealing with multiple activities in the classroom. The Wongs suggest a three step method for teaching procedures Explain Rehearse Reinforce

The Wongs suggest a three step method for teaching procedures Once students have learned and understand the procedures they should have no trouble dealing with multiple activities in the classroom. The Wongs suggest a three step method for teaching procedures Explain Rehearse Reinforce

How To Begin A Class Successfully Wong says what to do at the beginning of term is most important. Many teachers come in prepared to teach but don’t know the right way to start. Wong’s use Sarah Jondahl’s First Day of School Action Plan: Consists of knowing Academic expectations Time frames Lesson plans and first day activities How to create a relationship with student and parents Maintaining good learning environment How to document student progress Setting high expectations, creating routines and starting to learn the names of your students are some of the most important things on the first day.

The First Five Minutes According to Wong, the students should have an assignment to complete the second they walk in the door. This is supposed to eliminate 90% of discipline problems in the classroom. There should be no student’s free time at the beginning of the school year.

Details of the First Day of school (from the teacher point of view) Greet each student Introduce myself Procedures for arriving and leaving class Explain rules and daily procedures Number Assignments Go over classroom rules Teach the students what they are to use in the classroom Various centers Review portfolios Explain notebooks.

The First 10 Days of School The Wongs provide an example of what to do on the first 10 days of school by using Ms. Slovenske’s self-manager plan. Self-manager plan involves students taking responsibility for their own behavior. Self-management involves: -First discussion in the classroom -Second self-evaluation at home -Third discussion of their self- evaluation in the classroom  

Procedures for Cooperative Work Groups Cooperative work groups are useful in helping students succeed. Term cooperative work groups “support groups” when using this method with students. Effective teachers provide the information needed for students to work in support groups, instead of just dividing the students up into groups. An effective teacher would provide four simple rules for groups to follow before beginning and activity. -Be responsible for your own work and behavior. -Ask a support buddy for help if you have a question. -Help any support buddy who asks for help. -Ask for help from the teacher only when support buddies cannot supply it.