John Adams Middle School
Monday Morning Quarterback, Volume 9
Monday, November 4, 2019
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Conflict Cycles in the Classroom
We've all been there. A student refuses to comply, we really can't "make them", and nobody wins. The interaction turns into a conflict cycle and can escalate quickly, often ending in the student being sent out of the classroom. There are many ways adults can escape this cycle, keep the student in the classroom and, most importantly, preserve their relationship.
Then next time one of your students acts out, try one of the following interventions:
· Wait. Often a student will comply when you just continue with the lesson.
· Thank the student. "You know I can't make you, but thanks for taking a seat so we can get started."
· Privately ask the student if they're upset about something. "Jesse, you usually don't say things like that. Is everything okay? Is there something I can do to help?"
· If the student continues, use an "I" message. "I feel frustrated when we have to wait to continue our lesson. Would you be willing to take a seat now?"
· Lighten things up. "If I could make people do what I wanted, I'd be a rich person."
Conflict cycles are going to occur in every classroom. Thinking about your own triggers and private logic can help you prepare for the inevitable and model ways that students can handle conflicts in their own lives.
Firming up your routines, based on students' needs
Now that we're settling in, reflect upon your classroom routine and check out some tips from Scholastic about routines. Sticking to structure now will pay off later, but don't keep doing something that's not working for your class!
Co-Regulation in Discipline
- Co-regulating behavior with students
- Emotions are contagious
Jaguar Spawtlight: Amber Jorde
Hello! My name is Amber Jorde. I teach DCD-SP here at JA. I grew up in Eyota and am very close with my family members. Throughout high school, I nannied for a family who have two kids with Down Syndrome, Spencer and Morgan (pictured below) who sparked my love of working with people with differing abilities. I started out my undergrad at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids, MI and ended up transferring to WSU to finish my degree and graduated. I actually did my student teaching here at JA and am so glad to be back for my fourth year here at JA! I also taught at Bamber Valley and Kellogg before settling back here.
I finished my masters in SPED with an ASD licence from Concordia St. Paul this summer and have loved having some free time back in my life! I do a lot of traveling on the weekends to visit my further away family members and friends, so lots of time on the road and in airports! I still spend a decent amount of time with Spence and Morg even though they’re “grown adults who don’t need a babysitter” (Spencer’s words, not mine!) and a crew of other kiddos who have a special place in my heart. I have lots of friends with babies who I’m a stand in auntie for, so you can often find me out on auntie dates with them. I enjoy doing projects around my house and learning new DIY projects.
Feel free to stop by Room 112 anytime to say hi & make friends with my crew- we love visitors!