Comments for Tech Talk

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Michael Charlton

Michael Charlton — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:46:11 +0000

The foundation to a successful and safe learning environment is a mixture of a solid foundational management framework combined with actively engaging instructional practices – this exert on building trust between the teacher and his or her students is a key component in this process.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:44:42 +0000

Having read Teach like your Hair’s on Fire, I agreed with many of Rafe’s comments. He clearly teaches in a very different environment than ours in terms of what he is able and/or allowed to do with his students, but many of his basic ideas are very accurate. The idea of making consequences fit the transgresson is an excellent approach to discipline.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Laurie

Laurie — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:40:37 +0000

I agree about the fear factor. We have to scare away the fear and build the trust.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Erika Gentry

Erika Gentry — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:39:51 +0000

I agree with the point you shared about trust being an important aspect in the classroom. For many of these students, teachers may be the only people in their lives who they can actually trust. It is very important to establish a classroom environment where the students can trust the teacher.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:17:19 +0000

I think we need to encourage the students to find the “good” or positive points in everything, like you did with the book.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Micah Nicholson

Micah Nicholson — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:16:55 +0000

I went through the “not being liked” stage when I first started teaching. It’s hard to teach kids that don’t like you, so you try to be as likeable as you can be. But it always backfires, because then the kids take advantage of you. Instead of having a classroom full of kids who think you’re the greatest, you get a classroom full of kids with behavior problems. It ends up being more stressful on you as a teacher because the kids are misbehaving.

Now, at the beginning of each year, I wait at least a month before I smile or joke around with the kids, so that they know that I am their teacher and that they must respect me. Then my rules are set and they know I mean business, and after that is when I start letting up and being myself. Works like a charm

Comment on Rafe Esquith by david byer

david byer — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:15:51 +0000

my thought on the following information i read is..

as a teacher should be yourself.. dont try to act or be somebody else.. kids can an will see through you if your not yourself..

Comment on Rafe Esquith by Cristi

Cristi — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:14:39 +0000

I agree that we need to be models for our students. When my students do sustained silent reading, I read as well. I feel that the students need to see me read and then they see I mean what I saw; independent silent reading is important. If I am trying to wrap up something (attendance, etc.), some students may hesitate to begin reading until I do. Students look to teachers for models whether we realize it or not.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by r shakley

r shakley — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:14:20 +0000

This idea is interesting.

Comment on Rafe Esquith by hans

hans — Fri, 22 May 2009 16:13:46 +0000

Consistancy with procedures and discipline gives students their limits and expectations. A few initial reeinforcements means less trouble for the rest of the year.