Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/120877
> SHARING Teachers Teaching Teachers STORY AND PHOTOS BY BILL GUY CTA���s Good Teaching Conferences are outstanding professional development opportunities. Last month���s Southern conference in Los Angeles had 1,225 educators learning more about Common Core standards, special education���s impact on all Simple Solutions to Classroom Management A retired San Diego Education Association member, Rick Morris taught grades 4-6. Session takeaways: ��� Relationships act as an achievement multiplier. That���s not to say what we can all sit around singing ���Kumbaya��� and everyone���s magically pro���cient. Mastery of any subject matter ��� and especially math and reading ��� requires three ingredients: direct instruction, student engagement and follow-up tutoring. ��� It���s about classroom culture. Bottom line, the secret to a happy, productive classroom is rooted in the concept of student autonomy and self-direction. However, for independence to ���ourish, students need to develop self-control. And self-control is best learned when students are given freedom. ��� Of all the ideas and strategies I shared during ���ve sessions, Class Cards, the Freedom List, and Safe Engagement (the ���Thank you��� strategy in which teachers take multiple responses before evaluating any responses) are the ones I most recommend for helping to transform the classroom into a productive environment. Good resources: ��� Robert MacKenzie, Setting Limits in the Classroom ��� Dream Class and the soon-to-be-released Keys to Classroom Management by Michael Linsin ��� SmartClassroomManagement.com Want to know more? E-mail Rick at rickmgmt@gmail.com. 38 California Educator April 2013 teachers, and new ways to engage students. CTA members who lead workshops pass rigorous muster to share their knowledge, skills and expertise with colleagues. Here is a sampling of two members��� presentations. Refocus: The Most Powerful Solution to Problem Behavior Moreno Valley Teachers Association member Greg Solomon is an instrumental music teacher and coach at Vista Heights Middle School. Session takeaways: ��� Kids are wired to challenge teacher authority in the classroom to ���nd their boundaries. Boundaries create safety. Wellde���ned expectations with ���rm, fair and consistent discipline create a safe environment for kids at all grade levels to learn. ��� Challenges should not be taken personally. Expectations must be clearly de���ned and methodically practiced by all students. Teaching to expectations takes time and energy, but it will pay off huge dividends throughout the year. ��� Punishment alone will never change behavior. Students must be allowed to make choices regarding their behavior and must be held accountable for their actions. A great resource: www.timetoteach.com Want to know more? E-mail Greg at CoachGregS@gmail.com.