Teacher Newsletter
July 2015
Fair Is Not Always Equal
If you ask students what are the most important qualities they like in teachers, one of the universally top-mentioned is fairness. Teachers and schools strive to be fair and build programs and polices based on this value.
But what is fair? Many define it as treating everyone the same, but I would argue that doing so is the most unfair way to treat students. Students are not the same. They have different motivations for their choices, different needs, different causes for misbehavior and different goals. I think this is good, because wouldn't the world be very boring if we were all the same?
Does treating students fairly take more time? Not nearly as much as unsuccessful solutions to behavior problems that continue to eat classroom time in five-to-fifteen minute chunks over the course of a year.
- Everyone has the same rules
- Consequences are flexible
- Equal isn't always fair
- Teach the concept of fair vs. equal to your class before implementing it
To learn more about this topic visit: http://www.edutopia.org/blog/fair-isnt-equal-richard-curwin
Rainbow Education Department News
Did you know the Education Department created a pin board on the Rainbow Pintrest page of amazing classroom activity, learning environment standards and evidence of emaciation displays?? Check it out today! https://www.pinterest.com/rainbowccc/r-a-i-n-b-o-w-c-l-a-s-s-r-o-o-m-s/
Curriculum Theme Book 2015-2016
The new curriculum theme book for 2015-2016 is now available!! You will receive a copy of the booklet for your classroom. Please remember this is a teacher resource tool and should not be posted for the parents. A digital copy is also available on Google Docs.
Education Buzzword
Theorist of the Month
B.F. Skinner
Burrhus Frederic Skinner was an American psychologist, behaviorist, author, inventor, and social philosopher. He was a professor of Psychology at Harvard University from 1958 to 1974 where he provided major insight on the study of human behavior. Skinner believed that human free will is an illusion and that any human action is the result of the consequences of the same action. If the consequence to the behavior is bad or negative, there is a higher chance the behavior will not be repeated; however if the consequences are good or positive, the action will most likely continue due to the response. Skinner called this the principle of reinforcement. Research suggests children learn appropriate social rules through consequences and the principles of reinforcement.
Resource of the Month
Five Critical Classroom Practices for Prompting Positive Behavior and Nurturing Social and Emotional Development
1. Positive Climate
2. Predictable Consistent Routines
3. Routines within Routines within Routines
4. Directly Teach Behavioral Expectations
5. Teach Social and Emotional Skills
Making the Most of Every Moment
Teacher Spotlight
Ms. Drea is our Toddler 1 teacher ( AD1 ) and has been with Rainbow since December 2015. Drea is warm, open to others ideas, enthusiastic, caring and has a true love for learning. She has an infectious smile and greets everyone with her cheeriness each day. She takes the time to get to know the staff, children and parents. In the time she has been with us she has developed many meaningful relationships.
Drea has a passion for teaching and her creativity is out of this world. She is often seen buried in the sensory table next to the kids, starting a spontaneous dance party and always joining in on the fun.
Thank you Ms. Drea for all you do!