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=Welcome to our Book Study WIKI!= The WIKI will be used for all discussions that are assigned to the group and sharing of documents.

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Reflection of 13/15

Discipline is an important element to have in place in the classroom. It begins on the first day of school and does not go away unless the teacher gives in. Students read into teachers immediately and begin to figure out what they can and cannot get away with in the classroom. I found these chapters to be a reminder for me. I need to be certain that I 'mean business' and I will follow through with my consequences/punishments I have set up in my classroom. I need to be consistent... not just part of the time. I cannot turn a 'blind eye' to behavior I do not want to see in my classroom... behavior comes before teaching. My boundaries cannot change. Again this was a great reminder of what I need to be sure I am doing in my classroom.

Carol Messersmith

Pamela Smith - Reflection from Chapters 15/16

t took my some time to learn to be more objective and non-reactive when setting and reinforcing rules. If I posture myself in a matter-of-fact frame of mind and keep my voice free of anger, impatience, or exasperation, the students "get it" and realize it is their behavior that dictates consequences...positive or negative. This was not a lesson I came to realize on my own. A mentor teacher...via the web taught me the value of being consistent and repeating procedures over and over again, until the students understand...this is how it is in my classroom...all the time. Dealing with "weenie" students is a real challenge for me and I appreciated this aspect of the assignment and will work to create a better approach with them.

Julia Hale-Reflection of Chs. 13 & 15

I think laying down the law of rules in the classroom or discipline can definitely be one of the most difficult parts of teaching. Especially in the younger grades, students find ways to coerce you in to letting them get away with misbehavior. But overall, I think the most important part of discipline is being consistent. For example, I have witnessed teachers in the past who would give a student a consequence, like missing recess and forget to follow through with it. This sends a message to the student saying it was okay that he misbehaved. It also confuses the student and makes it unlikely that he will correct his behavior in the future. Once the teacher constantly corrects a students' or the whole class's behavior several times and has them practice the preferred behavior, things start to become a lot smoother.

Hollysu Huff-Reflection of chs. 13 & 15

'On the solid rock I stand' I believe this is be more than just a line from a hymn. As a teacher, it is vital to be consistent. More and more now a days, students are needing consistency. Students are very good at looking through a teachers soul. 'Is she/he really what she/he says she/he is?' I believe it boils down to, 'Can you be trusted?' Students will not respect you if you are not consistent. I have seniors right now in home room who at first were very apprehensive and tried to get away with murder. Now, if they are in the wrong, they are responsible about it and do not get too mad about me doing my job.