Solo Teaching

I have been teaching almost the whole day for a couple of weeks, but I have had my master teacher there. This week is the first time that she has left for significant period's of time. Wow! It is both invigorating and exhausting! I thought I was getting better at the classroom management stuff, but it seems like I am back to square one by myself. They were really pushing buttons today. I feel like I am becoming a grumpy ole meany.

I just read about a new technique in "Tools for Teaching" by Fred Jones. I think of it as the look. You stop, turn your head, then your shoulders, your lower body and lastly your feet. Then you just look at the offending culprit. The trick is to do it very slowly. Take a deep breathe, so you don't tense up,or say anything. It did work, but it took a long time before they realized I was looking at them.

I will let you know if it works long term, or if it is one that fades with over use.