making connections - classroom management with young learners (webinar preview)

Making ConnectionsClassroom Management

with Young Learners

David DodgsonTED Ankara College

Image by lrargerich

What teachers want...

What teachers fear...

What is ‘classroom management’?

What is ‘classroom management’?For me, it’s about:Involving learners in

important decisionsEnsuring good disciplineEstablishing rapport with

studentsCreating a positive

atmosphere for learning

Some tips before we start...There is no ‘right answer’!Be responsive and adapt

to each classBe consistent and follow

throughEstablish regular routinesAccept that there are

some things you can’t change

Image by laughlin

Establishing ‘ground rules’

Establishing ‘ground rules’Some of my ideas:‘Class Contract’Rules for the teacher!Discussing & negotiating

rulesInvolve the students & let

their opinions be heard!Image by Scott Thornbury via eltpics

See also my blog post on this topic: http://www.davedodgson.com/2011/09/democracy-in-action-in-primary-school.html

5E ENGLİSH SKİLLS CLASS RULES

The students will....

...be ready at the start of the lesson.

...listen when someone is talking.

...always be polite, patient and helpful.

...wait for Mr. David to say the lesson is finished.

5E ENGLİSH SKİLLS CLASS RULES

Mr. Dodgson will....

...not give homework on Fridays.

...let us drink water in the lesson.

...let us eat snacks in the lesson.

Enforcing ‘ground rules’

Enforcing ‘ground rules’Some ideas:Class CaptainsHighlight examples of

good behaviourPlenty of praise (individual

students and the class!)Make sure you follow

through on any promises/detterents.

GamificationWhat is ‘gamificaiton’?

How can it help with classroom management?

Image by @acliltoclimb via eltpics

GamificationWhat is ‘gamificaiton’?

Applying concepts and theories from the world of gaming to the classroom.

How can it help with classroom management?Easy for kids to relate to.Adds a sense of ‘fun’ to

proceedings.Image by @acliltoclimb via eltpics

See also the Digital Play blog by Graham Stanley and Kyle Mawer: http://www.digitalplay.info/blog/

Gamified Classroom ManagementExample – Class AchievmentsReward following class

rules with a ‘level up’After 5 level ups, the class

chooses a ‘reward’The reward could be a

game, a video, free time, or even no homework!

Rewards are ‘just for fun’

See also my blog post on this topic: http://www.davedodgson.com/2012/09/taking-classroom-management-to-next.html

Image by @oyajimbo via eltpics

Gamified Classroom ManagementExample – Class DojoSet up class accounts on

www.classdojo.comAward points for ‘positive’

behaviour (and ‘negative’ if you wish)

Connect with students & their families

Establishing rapport

Establishing rapportBe friendly &

approachableBe flexibile (and be willing

to ‘bend the rules’!)Focus on the kids’ own

interestsPersonalise the lessons as

much as possibleInvolve the students and

give them choicesSee also this post I wrote for Shelly Terrell’s blog: http://shellyterrell.com/2011/05/09/tips-for-connecting-with-young-learners-by-dave-dodgson/

Image by lighttruth

Getting the students involved

Getting the students involvedClass rulesPersonalising lessons &

offering choicesUse student-created

content in classGet students to create

tasks and quizzes.

Image by ToGa Wanderings

Image by ToGa Wanderings

Getting the students involvedExample: ‘Video of the Week’Allow one student each

week to select a videoStudent writes questions

about itVideo and questions are

posted on the class blog‘Secret homework’

See also this blog post by David Mearns: http://www.davidmearns.blogspot.com/2011/10/idea-of-getting-students-to-write.html

dave.dodgson@gmail.com

www.davedodgson.com

@DaveDodgson

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