New Hampshire Archives - Susan Fitzell

Redirect Students without Provoking Power Struggles

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Sun, 13 Oct 2013 18:52:23 +0000

How to Prevent Power Struggles

Behavior Management Cue Card

Behavior Management Cue Card Approach!

Here’s a way to quietly cue students to choose positive behavior.

Behavior management cue card instructions:

1. Print out this card or your own version of the card.

2. Choose your method:

a. Tape a card on the upper right corner of each student desk.

i. Laminate the card

ii. Use clear shipping tape to secure it to the desk

b. Hang it from a lanyard around your neck or keep it in your pocket

i. Laminate the card

ii. Punch a hole in the top of the card to hang from a lanyard

3. Explain the card to the students:

a. You might explain, “I want to use a system to help students stay on track without embarrassing students by saying something out loud. I also want a way to praise students and let them know that I’m pleased with good behavior and choices without causing embarrassment. So, I’m going to use this card to let you know my expectations or give kudos – quietly. Here is an example of the card and what the pictures mean.”

b. Explain what each picture means.

c. Explain that you do not expect students to say anything in response.

d. Explain how you will use the card.

e. When a student needs to be redirected, simply walk quietly up to the student.

i. Make eye contact – and preferably smile. The point is to minimize the possibility that a power struggle will ensue.

ii. After eye contact is made with the student, point to the picture that sends the message that you need to deliver.

iii. Do not wait for a response.

iv. Turn around and walk away.

v. If a student chooses to say something in response to a redirection, they are inviting a power struggle.

vi. Avoid taking the bait if at all possible. Turn and walk away and wait to see if the student complies.

f. When a student earns praise, simply walk up to the student, make eye-contact, smile and point to the ‘praise’ picture.

i. Do not wait for a response.

ii. Turn around and walk away.

Be generous with your praise. Students should receive 5-7 positive statements from the teacher in ratio to each negative comment.

For more information on differentiation strategies to reach ALL learners, see Susan Fitzell’s book, Special Needs in the General Classroom, Strategies That Make It Work. Available in both print and electronic versions!

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Featured seminar – Differentiation Strategies to Reach ALL Learners in the Inclusive Classroom

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What does Co-teaching, Personality Styles and Flexible Grouping have in Common?

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Mon, 16 Sep 2013 22:38:18 +0000

Co-teaching, Personality Styles and Flexible Grouping were topics for seminars at Woodington Middle School

The teachers at Woodington Middle School in Kinston, NC.

For the past two days, I’ve had the pleasure of working with dedicated teachers Co-teaching at Woodington Middle School. Their Principal, Diane Heath, is doing her best to support the teachers through their Inclusion and Co-teaching initiative. Yesterday, we covered co-teaching strategies and personality styles. Everyone dug right in and worked with the material finding ways to use the information in their classrooms. I love it when I have the opportunity to work with motivated teachers!

Today, teachers got in three small groups to do an adapted jigsaw about how to manage small groups and flexible groups in the classroom as well as how to develop and run Acceleration Centers TM to support varied levels of learners in the Inclusion classroom. It was so exciting to watch how the groups developed their teaching strategies and mind maps to teach the other groups about their section. See the pictures from the group!

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How can I Present History Effectively?

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:54:21 +0000

Processing Long Information History Chapters!

Susan Streetman, Nederland HS writes, in history, some chapters are long and packed with information. Sometimes I think – how can I present this effectively? It’s too much! So, on colorful large index cards, I write quippy versions of the chapter’s subtopics. (using the exact subtopic would be too easy). Kids can confer during the game.

The Quippy History Game

Materials Needed

Then, also in my own words, I use small white index cards to write the main points under the subtopic. I try to make them humorous. I tell students a tough game is coming and tell them to be prepared. On the day of the game, I use music, a timer and a box. Student materials are the answers all mixed up, a handout with the quippy subtopics and lines denoting the number of items.

How to play the ‘game’

I begin with 3 minutes on the clock. I deal white cards after placing colored cards around the room while the time clicks off. I play music and students have to run around and deal information cards to match the correct heading. We check for the correct matches, put the wrong matches in the box, set timer for 2 minutes and re-deal. They love it and end up with a chapter review. They move around but must be in chair when the timer goes off.

The Summary Race

Cut up summaries to chapters, put students in groups. They race to be first (for a privilege) to descramble and paste the summary together accurately.

Fishing game.

Box decorated to look like ocean, a Scooby Doo fishing pole with a magnet instead of a hook. Paperboard fish with paperclips through eye-holes in ocean. Students compete in pairs to answer questions using magic slates. When correct, blind folded and go fishing. Number of fish lead to a privilege prize.

A Strategy using Videos to Cover History Topics

When I show films, I give out film sheets with different questions on them and 5 lines at the bottom. After the film clip, they must find 5 people with facts different to theirs that they place on their lines. These are shared and used for extra credit.

Groups Idea

Pick an explorer. Research his exploits. Make a poster. Use a clever title like “ Do you have any Ponce de Leon?” (students did that)! The poster must include; a time line, pictures of accomplishments, a map of his trek/s, and at least one navigational tool known at the time.

Give student groups transparencies

Group assignments are placed on them. They present and they are there for all to see. For example, we play, “Constitution Idol” ; student groups must present in any format the 27 amendments to the constitution DVDs, CDs, live. They can take liberties with words. They are an absolute riot. Everything from Barney to rap, Travis Tritt, Chumbawumba,. They are so great. Wear red, while, blue on awards day – for cookie or cake and photo for newspaper. They decide the winner. They all learn the amendments.

Susan Streetman
Nederland HS

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Using Differentiated Instruction Strategies at Rochelle M.S.

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:53:22 +0000

Rochelle Middle School Teachers Working Hard to Engage Students

Today, I worked with two groups of teachers at Rochelle Middle School who are interested in learning more strategies to differentiate instruction and meet their students needs. We discussed behavior management strategies for working with groups and Four Corners activities, and quietly cueing kids to get on task or to receive Kudos for doing the right thing! We also discussed four powerful teaching tips, adaptation strategies for students reading below grade level, and mnemonic devices as well as several other best practice ideas. We are on our way to oustanding differentiated instruction! Thanks Rochelle M.S. teachers, Mr. Nick Harvey, principal, and Pat Tunstall for a great day and the honor of working in Lenoir County!

Tomorrow, we’ll tackle co-teaching strategies. That workshop is lots of fun because we get to work with personality styles which is a guaranteed laughter generator!

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Teaching Tips from my Audience!

Susan Fitzell, M.Ed., CSP — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 02:57:19 +0000

Fearless Fractions

Fearless fractions: grades 4-9. Teaches teachers how to use color to introduce the addition and subtraction of fractions and mixed numbers. Each fraction has its own color as in Rainbow Fraction® Teaching System. Fractions cannot be added or subtracted until they become the same color (common denominators). Ratios, probability, percents, proportions, and making predictions are concepts that are taught right along with fractions in order for student to understand their relationship to fractions.Shared by:
Carol McKeever
Catherine Hillston
Middle School Methods Co

Rapping Longitude and Latitude

My students made a video where they rapped and acted out a rap I wrote on latitude and longitude. The video productions class filmed each period’s presentation and compiled them on a DVD. The best presentation was featured on the school news presentation.Shared by:
Dave Arena
Central MS, Nederland, TXYouTube has an very cute video on Latitude: I’ve Got An Attitude (About my Latitude)

Interesting Fact. For the first week of school, I have each student write an interesting fact about themselves, someone in their family, etc. I take 3 out each day, read them one at a time, then guess which student matches the fact. If it is not the student I pick, then that person guesses. Three guesses total are made. If no one guesses, the person, he/she stands up and then tells a little story about the fact. Sure helps when trying to learn names!

by:

Pam Stines
Nederland HS, TX

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