Stay ConnectedIn the Teach 4 the Heart podcast, Linda Kardamis shares ideas and inspiration to help you overcome your teaching challenges and make a lasting difference in your students’ lives.
Designed for Christian teachers in both public and private schools, Teach 4 the Heart strives to present every discussion from a Biblical perspective.
Season 1 will discuss classroom management. Future season’s topics TBA but will likely include work/life balance, how our faith should affect our teaching, and more.
Copyright: © Copyright 2022 by Teach 4 the Heart LLC
Ever struggle with whether or not spelling should be part of your students' grade in non-language classes? Join us as we discuss this tricky question – as well as a creative solution.
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Teachers are crazy busy & every little time-saving technique helps. Join us today as we discuss an easy time-saving hack that will make your life just a little bit easier.
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Are you struggling to control your classroom? In this episode, we share how our premier program Classroom Management 101 will give you a complete, organized system that ensures you don't miss any of the crucial elements of great classroom management.
Get more info or join now at www.teach4theheart.com/cm101
When it comes to discipline and classroom management, there's an important question each teacher must ask himself.
Join us as we discuss this important question & the implications it will have on your classroom management success.
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Sign up for the free Classroom Management Solutions training at www.teach4theheart.com/training
Being consistent in our classroom management can be tough, but it is also extremely important. Join us as we commiserate a bit about how hard it is to be consistent then jump into a simple plan to finally conquer this challenge.
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How should we as Christian teachers handle controversial issues like the pressure to promote the LGBT lifestyle? Join us as we discuss this challenging but important questions.
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Teaching can be overwhelming, but that doesn't mean you have to be perpetually frustrated.
Join us in Teach Uplifted to renew your passion for teaching by finding joy & peace in Christ.
Get all the details or join now at www.teachuplifted.com.
In this episode, we examine the difference between a fixed mindset and a growth mindset and discuss why a growth mindset is so important.
We then explore a simple 6-step framework you can use with your students to help them change their thoughts about challenging situations.
Get the growth mindset worksheet (as well as links & notes) at www.teach4theheart.com/growthmindset.
We teachers are no strangers to conflict - but it's even more challenging when it's with those who should be on the same team (parents, fellow teachers, administrators, etc.)
Join us as we discuss how to resolve this conflict & even use it to produce more meaningful relationships.
Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/conflict.
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How to Resolve Conflict in Your SchoolWe teachers are certainly no strangers to conflict. Sometimes it feels like we're more a ref than a teacher. Helping kids navigate their conflicts can be challenging, but it can also be one of the most rewarding aspects of the job.
But the kids' conflicts are not the only ones we deal with. We sure are in the middle of a lot of conflict ourselves, aren't we? Who of us hasn't been chewed out by a parent, criticized by a student, or butted heads with an administrator? And these personal conflicts are often even more difficult and frustrating because they are just that - personal.
Regardless of where the conflict is coming from, one of the biggest keys to handling it well is to think win-win.
The concept of thinking win-win is nothing new, but it sure can be revolutionary in a classroom. Stephen Covey talks about it extensively in his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, but I started understanding the concept in a faculty meeting. (Yes, some good things can come of faculty meetings
I t took some time to really understand how to think win-win and how to flesh out that thinking in the classroom, and it's still definitely a work in progress. Too many times I forget about thinking win-win altogether. But, wow, when I do, it sure does make a difference!
So how exactly do you think win-win in your classroom? Well, I'm glad you asked. (Come to think of it, these ideas work pretty much anywhere.)
How to Resolve Conflict by Thinking Win-Win1. Realize you are all on the same team.
Teachers, parents, students, and administrators - we are all on the same team. It may not feel like it at times (okay, it definitely doesn't feel like it at times), but we are.
We have a common goal: we want the students to learn, grow, and succeed. Before we can resolve our conflicts, we have to realize this concept for ourselves. It's not us versus administrator or us versus a parent or us versus student. We all want the same thing at heart. We are on the same team.
2. Treat others like you are all on the same team.
Knowing you're on the same team isn't enough. You have to translate this into your actions & actually treat that parent who's criticizing you like you are on the same team (now here's the hard part) even when - especially when - they don't act like it.
When someone else is making it a them-versus-you situation, take a minute to give some perspective. Remind them that you are on the same team, that you have the same goals, and that you want to work together to find a solution. This disarming approach can open the door to a conversation that is actually productive, not destructive.
3. Don't get defensive.
I know our first inclination is to defend ourselves, but this is not the best approach. Instead, start by trying to genuinely understand the other person's concern.
In order to have a win-win, you have to first understand what the administrator/parent/teacher/student truly wants. Then, and only then, can you explain your reasoning and find a solution that will benefit all. (This is also the only way to figure out if it is all a big misunderstanding.)
4. Find the real issue beneath the surface problem.
Often the real issue is not the one that's brought to our attention. The real problem is something deeper - something that's making this issue seem much bigger than it is.
I remember one student-student issue where one girl was upset with her friend for taking her pencil. That seemed incredibly stupid, but when we talked about it, there was a deeper issue. I can't remember all the details of this particular 7th-grade drama, but the friend had said or done something quite hurtful earlier in the week, and that was the true cause of the contention. It just manifested itself with a pencil theft.
To resolve conflict, we must find the problem beneath the problem. Otherwise, we're just putting a Band-Aid on a gaping wound.
Click to Tweet5. Look for creative solutions.
If you've followed the steps above, often the conflict seems to work itself out. But sometimes, a solution still seems elusive.
In this case, it's time to get creative. Think outside the box to discover a solution that will be the best for everyone involved. Invite the other person to suggest ideas, seek advice from someone wise, and spend time in prayer seeking God's wisdom.
6. Speak the truth in love.
Throughout your conversations, speak the truth in love. Both parts are equally important. Speak the truth - be open and honest, and say the hard things that need to be said. But speak them in love. Kindness and understanding will go a long way. When we're talking with students, we often revert to reprimanding. But it's much more effective to talk them through the situation. Help them see the why behind your decision, and listen and respond to their questions.
[Or course, this doesn't mean you have to tolerate backtalk. If that's been an issue, check out my post "Handling Students' Complaints and Not-so-sincere Questions."]
7. Pray with & for the other person.
If the person you're having conflict with is a fellow Christian, take a moment to pray with them. Prayer can help unite our hearts and remind us that we have the same ultimate purpose.
And if you can't pray with them, pray for them. And watch how God will change your own heart and guide you day-by-day.
Is the start of class a bit hectic? In this episode, we discuss practical tips to get your class started without all the chaos.
Get notes & links at www.teach4theheart.com/startclass
Get the free classroom management minicourse at www.teach4theheart.com/minicourse
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How to Start Class Without the ChaosWhen I first started teaching there was only one word to describe the start of class – chaos.
I remember standing in front of my class as the bell rang wondering how on earth I was going to get their attention.
With half the class talking, 5 kids walking around the room, and 2 more coming in late, it seemed hopeless.
But it actually wasn't as tough as I thought. There were just a few key things I was missing.
So whether your class is pretty much out of control or if it could just use a little fine tuning, here are some things I've learned about the start of class.
How to Start Class Effectively1. Have an assignment posted.
If you're not starting class with some type of assignment, you've got to try it. A start-of-class assignment truly makes such a huge difference because it gives your students something productive to do while you complete all of your administrative tasks such as taking attendance. Have a consistent place in your room where you always post the assignment.
Not sure what to use as your assignment? Keep reading - we'll give some tips for what makes a good start-of-class assignment in just a minute.
2. Teach your students to start the assignment without prompting from you.
Now, this is where I went wrong. I had an assignment, but if students don't start working on it, then it's not going to do you any good.
You have to train your students to sit down and get started without your having to say anything. If you're not even in the room they should automatically go to their seats and get started on the assignment before the bell even rings.
And, no, it's truly not impossible.. But it doesn't happen by accident. You have to be intentional about training them to do this. Check out my post "How to Teach Procedures that Your Students Will Actually Follow" for specific directions on how to make it happen.
3. Have a plan for what you'll do if students aren't on task when the bell rings.
At first, you're going to have to train your students to get right to work so that they're already busy when the bell rings. But after the class has learned the procedure, you'll need a plan for what to do when a few students (or occasionally half the class) are still talking or disruptive after the bell.
You can read the plan I finally came up with here.
What Makes a Good Start-of-Class Assignment?The most important thing is that the start-of-class assignment should need no explanation. I know, I know – there's always a kid who wants an explanation. But it should be simple enough that you don't feel guilty saying, "You need to read the directions and figure it out for yourself."
It could be some review questions from the textbook, a journal prompt written on the board, or a separate worksheet with a quick exercise. Simply ask yourself, "What do my students need more practice/help with?" and then come up with a short activity that will help them master that skill. Keep in mind that you can use the same activity for more than one day and just give them 3-5 minutes at the start of each class to work on it.
If you're not sure what would work best for your class, ask a fellow teacher at your school or in our Facebook discussion group.
If you happen to teach middle school math, you can grab a set of the practice exercises I used here.
Need more help corralling classroom chaos?Start our free classroom management minicourse & regain control of your classroom in just 3 days.
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