Welcome to #mdeschat! I'm excited to spend the next hour reflecting, learning, and sharing ideas with you. Please take a moment to introduce yourself. I am Bonita, I teach 5th grade at @TylerHeights in Annapolis.
Tonight's chat is brought to you with a great deal of help and support from @JastheConqueror - she has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in this area (among many others) #mdeschat
Q1 This is somewhat related to the poll... we cannot tackle our ability to successfully manage behavior until we make sure we're taking care of ourselves #mdeschat
To take care of myself, I give myself time in the day to work out and read by myself to debrief and release stress from the day! (I also give myself a little spa day once a week and paint my nails haha) #mdeschat
A1 I am not doing the best job with this at the moment, but I am trying to plan fun activities and outings for the last few months leading up to summer #mdeschat
Q1 This is somewhat related to the poll... we cannot tackle our ability to successfully manage behavior until we make sure we're taking care of ourselves #mdeschat
To take care of myself, I give myself time in the day to work out and read by myself to debrief and release stress from the day! (I also give myself a little spa day once a week and paint my nails haha) #mdeschat
A1: Balance is important. I find solace in spending time with family. Planning weekend activities like Baltimore Lights. I downloaded a golf app to budget my time on a low cognitive activity. #mdeschat
A2: I recently met with our school counselor to look closely at the number of visits, time of year and day. We have seen an escalation in trauma related issues, which present as task avoidance or conflict with Ts. #mdeschat
A2: I recently met with our school counselor to look closely at the number of visits, time of year and day. We have seen an escalation in trauma related issues, which present as task avoidance or conflict with Ts. #mdeschat
A2: Lack of engagement. The testing Schedule has begun and won't end 'till the beginning of JUNE... + Being reactive before considering consequences #mdeschat
A3. My answer is contradictory. Overall my Ss are happy, proud and working hard daily. My friends I see need strategies to communicate, learn impulse control & problem-solve #mdeschat
A3: Student behavior could be a sign they lack the skills to manage a bigger or more emotional situation. Fight or flight is often related to environmental factors Ss deal with on a daily basis. #mdeschat
We are looking into why, but are finding during exams, reporting times, projects, and change in weather to be factors that contribute to spikes in behavior. There are even studies that suggest the impact Daylight Savings time has on behavior. #mdeschat
Q4 Which function of behavior do you think the behavior is most tied to? (Considering what the student/s is/are trying to communicate.) It may be helpful to consider a specific student or situation as we work through the next few questions...
#mdeschat
I see - so it's not "new trauma" - it's just exasperated during this time of year. Which makes sense - added stress from testing, end of the year coming, etc... #mdeschat
Exactly! Traumatized students tend to lack resiliency. When you combine this deficit in skill with increased academic demand we should expect or predict a spike in work avoidance or disruptive behaviors #mdeschat
A4: I philosophically believe environment is a major function of behavior. Ss need consistency even as their behavior spikes. Predictability is important toward developing adaptability. #mdeschat
A3: Students are saying, "Educate me with instructional practices that highligh my strengths. and/or I am shutting down because I am overwhelemed!" #mdeschat
And often we do not have the training to properly teach Ss to be resilient and to persist. The zone of proximal development is important here as well as other variables like whether basic needs have been met. #mdeschat
A5 - I react differently in different situations. If it's something I care a lot about - I fight. If it's a low risk/reward situation - I freeze. If it's super stressful and only impacts me... flight is my reaction. #mdeschat
A5. When facing Ss behavior, I assess their state of mind. I want them to know I am there to help primarily. Then enforce needed consequences w/ supports #mdeschat
We have to learn to build our relationships with Ss around our internal “why” we are here rather than our external “what” or outcomes. The “what” will come when we lead with our “why”. #mdeschat
A5: Fight can also be the confrontation that may be right in principle, but wroing in practice. This is a challenge, but I am learning how to reconcile negative exchanges by reminding myself this process needs to be modeled in practice and lived. #mdeschat
Here are some ways to provide students with what they need when they're exhibiting those negative behaviors - based on how they are reacting instinctively to some form of threat/crisis #mdeschat
Here are some ways to provide students with what they need when they're exhibiting those negative behaviors - based on how they are reacting instinctively to some form of threat/crisis #mdeschat
Same here, but I am learning to freeze and force myself to listen, question, and repeat what I hear or see. This often creates a bridge for students to cross when they are ready. #mdeschat
Definitely! Power struggles are pure "fight" vs "fight" reactions... I have to remind myself that I am the adult and can do better to manage and regulate my behavior and emotional reaction. #mdeschat
A6 I use class dojo. My students know what behaviors are not acceptable, and rather than respond with emotions - I just take a point. I find that reacting non verbally helps. #mdeschat
Word choice can make a huge difference. Important to remain calm and as positive as possible. I have a S this year that requires this, and deviation from that causes negative behavior. Maintaining helps the S to relax and adjust. #mdeschat
A6: I offered an apology explaining to a student as a follow-up that I misread the situation and hope in time he would forgive me as I learn. The student in return thanked me and then explained he was wrong. #mdeschat
My wish for you all: remember to take care of you - you can't manage behavior if you're stressed out. Remember that your Ss are stressed too & have instinctive reactions to stress/crisis too. Have a ready to go response... You've got this! #mdeschat
Strengthening bonds. So important to be able to admit when we are wrong to our Ss. We're all in this learning journey together and we all make mistakes. #mdeschat
