| The need for acceptance and respect is | | | | accepting of your students? Try and separate the |
| overlooked in many classrooms. It is sometimes | | | | student's misbehavior from the person. Maybe |
| difficult to accept the behavior of a given student, | | | | you need to have a tutorial with this problematic |
| but the teacher should never communicate a lack | | | | student to settle some of the difference. But |
| of acceptance of the learner as an individual. | | | | avoid any confrontations during in-class instruction |
| In fact, lack of respect by the teacher is often | | | | - that will just negatively affect your classroom |
| cited by learners as a reason for misbehavior. | | | | climate. |
| (Savage, 47) The best way to improve any | | | | To deflect some of the tension that goes along |
| classroom climate is to relate to students with | | | | with the problematic behavior of negative |
| dignity and maturity - that is, treat students with | | | | students, you might consider employing some of |
| acceptance. Here are some ways to demonstrate | | | | these techniques to help you create a more |
| acceptance in a classroom: | | | | positive environment. |
| 1. Make any statement that tells the student that | | | | 1. Allow students to participate in the rule setting. |
| s/he is a worthwhile person. | | | | (You may wish to do this later if you feel you are |
| 2. Being available, helpful, supportive and caring. | | | | too new to a class) |
| 3. Asking the student for help. | | | | 2. Allow the students to plan and set goals for |
| 4. Demonstrating understanding, caring and liking. | | | | learning. |
| 5. Taking the student seriously. | | | | 3. Allow the students to use self-evaluation |
| 6. Sharing with the student. | | | | procedures. |
| 7. Being fair, considerate and respectful. | | | | 4. Allow students to give input about assignments. |
| 8. Accepting students' feelings. | | | | (You could do this as an in-class writing |
| 9. Create opportunities for personal contact with | | | | assignment) |
| students. | | | | 5. Allow students to select the books they want |
| 10. Model the desired behavior. | | | | to read. |
| For today, take a look at the things you did and | | | | 6. Allow students input into daily schedule.(You |
| said in a particularly difficult lesson you recently | | | | could do this as an in-class writing assignment) |
| experienced. Did you come across as one who is | | | | Try it! |