Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Spot

Hello,
                My name is Wintermute and this is Dumbr. A blog that gives you teaching method ideas for new teachers who have no teaching methods. Here is one of those methods. I saw someone else do this, I myself would not do this as it would not work for me in my class, but it may work for you.

                 On the very first day of class, the teacher will stand in a spot in the class room, typically in the front, and in the center of the rows of students. The teacher will explain the importance of this spot. When he is in the spot the students are to give the teacher their full awareness, no exceptions.

                Now typically you don’t want to be teaching from one spot, it’s good to move around, use the board, interact with students etc. But if there is something important to say, homework to go over, test questions to give, or anything of the sort, you stand in the spot. Once you reach that spot and stand there the students know right off its time to listen.

                This is a wonderful form of discipline, as I mentioned in previous post the most important part to discipline is repetition, the students know to listen and behave once you are there. Or if they have done something wrong they know it’s serious as you are in that spot. It will calm and quiet the classes meaning you do not have to yell.

                Again it is not my method, but that does not mean it’s bad, I think it’s a wonderful idea. If I were to use it, it would be for discipline only.


Your Teacher,
Wintermute 

15 comments:

  1. I prefer yard or meter stick discipline but I like the idea of the spot.

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  2. Do you really need to crack down on them like that ever, though? It doesn't sound like your students have a problem listening to you.

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  3. As a student I'd prob put something like a chair on that spot before every class :D

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  4. @xenototh, thats a good point, like i said i wouldn't need it, but if you have a hard time controlling your class this may be something you'd want to try out.

    Honestly my only punishment that I hardly ever have to use is writing sentences.

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  5. Yeah I guess, so when you are not in the spot they don't pay attention?

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  6. Making examples works wonders, but only if you are truly right in the first place.

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  7. Im surprised the students dont get fed up.

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  8. I think students always give their teachers their full attention. However, the teacher should also show them attention.

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  9. Pavlovian conditioning for the mind to open, excellent!

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  10. Very nice tip :)

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  11. Thats a good punishment. Do you have any kids of your own? I bet teacher youngsters will help you be a great Dad.

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  12. do they allow corporal punishment?

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  13. "The spot" seems like a really interesting and subtle way of making a point. I like it, but I think if I was a teacher I would forget to use it after the first day!

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  14. Very interesting post, I'm thinking about teaching and I don't have any experience so I'll be keeping an eye on this blog. Thanks!

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  15. If the students are not paying attention they probably won't know that you are standing in the "spot."

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