Today is the day.

Have you ever wished for something to happen? You waited and waited thinking, “When this happens, I will be so happy.” It’s great to set goals for the future, but the truth is that today is an important day. It’s an important day because it’s a day in your life. You can’t change the past. You can’t always predict the future, but you sure can find ways to enjoy today.

Look for things right now that make you happy. Think of people and children you work with. Think about friends and family that bring a smile to your face. Make a list of all the things you have now for which you are grateful. I, for one, am grateful that you make a difference in the lives of children.

Have an awesome day and a wonderful week-end.

Maryln

Avoid power struggles.

Students who engage in power struggles want an immediate answer right then and there. They are upset in the moment and very emotional. Sometimes, it’s better to delay meeting with them until they are calmer. Tell them you can’t meet right then, and then give them two choices for times you would be glad to meet with them. Here’s an example. “Chris, I can see that you are really upset about this. I will be glad to talk to you about it later. I can talk to you _____________or I can meet with you _________________. Which one works best for you?”

You are empowering the student by giving the student a choice, but not getting involved right then and there.

Have a great day.

Maryln

Lower your voice

Have you ever had laryngitis and you thought, “I don’t know how I’ll teach today?” You get to school and you have a great day teaching. That’s because you used a low voice. It’s the total opposite of raising your voice to get the attention of students. When you raise your voice, children often do too! Using a lower voice is much more effective. The first time I ever saw this strategy was with a new teacher at my school. She spoke in such a low voice, I could barely hear her, but wow, she sure held the students in the palm of her hands when she talked. I have been using it and teaching it ever since. It works!

Have a great day. You are a difference maker.

Maryln

Capture the attention of your class with a “T-Sign.”

Make a T-sign with your hands signaling the classroom to stop doing what it is doing. As students see your hands, they each copy you and make t-signs and stop doing everything they are doing. Here’s how to make a t-sign. Hold up your left hand vertically. Now put your right hand horizontally on top of it. That means “stop.” The great thing about this particular tool is that all students get to do it. Students who are near you, see the signal, and copy it, and then students near them see the signal and copy them. Soon the whole class is doing it.

Have a great day.

Maryln

You wear so many hats.

Last week I wore many hats. I was the “expert” speaker for 2 DVD’s called 49 Ways to Handle Hard to Handle Students, one for elementary school audiences and another one for secondary audiences. They had to be very different because of the different age groups. Then I went to a local child care center and worked with children while Marty filmed me for a new child care seminar we launched on Saturday, Lighting the Spark of Joy and Learning!!!

I was one tired person and it made me think about you. You too are called on to be an expert and wear many different hats. You have to handle students who are angry, defiant, disrespectful, and then you have to handle their parents too. After a busy, busy day, you have to go home and put on a different hat; the hat of parent, and/or spouse, or friend, and all with a smile. That’s a lot of hats. So today I am going to suggest one more hat, and that is a special hat of caretaker to yourself. You are an important person, and for you to keep wearing all of your hats, you have to take good care of yourself. Don’t forget yourself or put yourself last. There are people who count on you, so take care of yourself. You are a difference maker.

Have a great day and a wonderful week.

Maryln