A repost from the fall:
The culture of pushback by kids in American schools can pollute the integrity of our instruction. CI is easy to undermine – all the kid has to do is fade out or try to start a side conversation to create a problem, since ours is a community-based approach in which every kid counts and must be involved.
We agressively use jGR/dGR to keep that from happening. We also remember in our deeper minds that we are teachers with a real product to offer, and that a child who doesn’t get what is going on should in no way be allowed to prevent us from offering that product. Each child must be clear about their importance to the classroom process. The jobs help immensely to make that happen.
We need to be firm in the months that count most – August and September and perhaps again in January when we get a kind of new start. Consistent self respect and vigilent enforcing of the rules in our classrooms will help us retain our integrity here in the hard times. Confront lovingly. Failure to confront and guide the inattentive or too loud kid into proper group behavior is not an option. Not now with these kids.