Читать книгу Start With the Heart - Michelle L. Trujillo - Страница 30

Key 6: Key 6 may seem contrary to what we continue to hear in the world of education today, but it is important and, thus, should be put into context. We must connect kinesthetically. I realize that, as educators, we are directed continually not to touch kids, especially in the realm of special education. Obviously, as professionals, we must respect rules that protect our students, as well their needs for personal space. Furthermore, there may be people with whom we interact in the workplace or community who for religious, cultural, or experiential reasons react negatively to physical touch, and we must respect this response. In this case, if actual touch is out of the question, then use proximity. Touch something that the person you are relating to is also touching, like a desk or chair, anything to demonstrate that connection is important.

At the same time, in most cases, a hand shake, high five, a fist bump, or some type of appropriate touch as a greeting or celebration will help you to connect. If every teacher took an extra five minutes to personally greet each student as he or she entered through the classroom doorway with a smile and perhaps a fist bump, it might save instructional time, because the students would feel acknowledged and cared about daily! Many of the classroom management issues teachers deal with on a regular basis have to do with a need for attention. Some students have not received a great deal of positive attention in their lives and therefore will act out negatively with the hope of being noticed. However, if these students are recognized positively at the beginning of every day or class period, you likely can minimize student discipline issues within the classroom, because the students are receiving positive attention immediately.

We are making an important connection when we make contact at the doorway, using this time as an opportunity to smile, look each student in the eye, and perhaps share a quick personal greeting. This effort will start the class period on a positive and encouraging note. It will also allow us to notice if a particular student seems down-and-out sad, ready-to-blow angry, or can’t-stay-seated restless, giving us valuable information before proceeding with our interactions and instruction for the day.