Discussion 1

Using Pedagogy for Management

At lunch, you sat next to Mr. Benefield, a new social studies teacher. He was concerned that he is not managing his students well, and he wonders if they are bored during his instruction. He says, "I have heard that your students are always engaged and well-behaved. What suggestions could you give me?"

Develop a list of your top three tips for Mr. Benefield. Identify three effective instructional strategies that he could use to engage his students, thereby aiding with management. Explain the strategy and then provide an example of how he might use it in his classroom.

Discussion 2

Power Struggles

Most power struggles with children begin over consequences, fairness, embarrassment, and being told what to do. We frequently see this at the park or playground, with very young children.

Julio's mother says, "It's time to go home." Julio says, "Five more minutes!" Julio's mom says, "Let's go now." Julio ignores her and runs back to the slide.

Julio's mom follows him and tells him again to go. He sits at the top of the slide and refuses to come down. And the race is on to see who wins. Neither side wanted to back down in this situation, so things escalate to the point that the child is going to be in real trouble!

This also happens in the classroom. Often a teacher makes a request and a student refuses to comply. The teacher demands compliance and the student talks back inappropriately. And again, the race is on.

Describe a situation in which you engaged in a power struggle with a student or you have seen another teacher engage in a power struggle with a student. What do you think the function of the student's behavior was? How did you or the other teacher handle it? Knowing what you know now, how would you handle it differently (or how would you suggest the other teacher handle it differently)