Chapter 3 Book Club Entry

Chapter 3: Seven Common Teaching Mistakes

Pick two of the errors described in Chapter 3, pages 9-13, of 

"Whole Brain Teaching for Challenging Kids" and write yourself a 

letter of advice about how you're going to avoid these mistakes in 

the coming year.  Include one or two useful quotes from the chapter.  

Dear Addie,

Since you are gearing up for the start of a new third grade year, I thought there were a few things you should know to prepare you for the road ahead.

First of all, remember to maintain your composure. Losing your temper with disruptive kids is completely ineffective. You have experienced this fact in the past. Losing your temper in the classroom decreases what little respect the kids actually have for you and raises your blood pressure, making it difficult to make rational decisions. Coach B reminds us that “if being addressed by screaming, out of control adults made our challenging kids better, then children from crazed homes would be our model pupils.” By remembering to control your temper and address each and every student with the respect he or she deserves, you can better manage the class. Consequences should be administered efficiently and logically, without yelling. Kids are disruptive for attention; it’s not personal. 

Secondly, remember to stay organized. Not just the students’ materials need to be organized, but your materials and the instructional time need to be organized. Remember what Coach B says about organization and structure, “…a place for everything in your classroom and everything in its place.” Every student should know exactly where every item goes on their desks, or in your classroom. In addition, lessons should be organized so that time is structured leaving no time to “wing-it” because that breeds more disruptive behavior. Being organized includes adhering to the classroom management plan in place, and following through with assignments and consequences calmly and consistently. No idle threats or spur of the moment, eventually unfinished, assignments. 

Be sure to remind yourself of these facts each and every day and remember Coach B’s advice. If you remember these two things, and apply the WBT mindset to every lesson every day, your classroom will run much more smoothly and you will be in TEACHER HEAVEN!!

Best of luck, 
Addie


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