Prompt #2
Prompt 2: Impact on Professional Practice
My interaction with students of poverty has changed since reading Payne’s framework for the first time several years ago. One of the areas in which I focused was discipline. I found that I needed to have a greater understanding of why my students act as they do so that I may help them do the right thing to be successful in class. The more I knew about my students, the more capable I felt in helping them reach success. The idea that discipline differes in the different classes was very foreign to me and I did not understand why students continued to repeat unacceptable behavior. Through my reading I began to understand the differences and therefore could change my approach with certain students in the classroom. Although discipline issues are not gone, I feel as though the interactions with my students are much more positive. This positive interaction helps to build and maintain relationships that are important to student success.
As an 8th grade mathematics teacher, I would like to explore one of the input strategies for my classroom. Payne states “Organize space with stable systems of reference is crucial to success in math” (Payne, 1996). Payne clearly explains the importance of cognitive strategies including concepts, skills and content. For my students to understand the mathematics content at an 8th grade level, they must know the concepts and have the skills for this level. Using this input strategy, I hope to advance my students’ abilities is mathematics.
I also gained new understanding when reading Payne's section on discipline. I often wondered why students continued to repeat the same behaviors over and over again even when disicplined. After reading Payne's book, I gained a better understanding why many of students do this and how to better help them understand that the behavior is not acceptable at school and help them develop behaviors to be successful at school. After reading the Payne text, I too have changed my approach and have seen a slight improvement in behavior and how I discipline so far.
ReplyDeleteI also gained new understanding dealing with discipline when reading Payne's book. Dealing with students in poverty can be difficult, especially when you don't come from a similar situation and you don't quite understand it. However Payne's ideas definitely give you a starting point to develop effective discipline. The most important thing she highlights is the importance of teaching the students what acceptable classroom behavior looks like.
ReplyDeleteI very much liked your comments as to the need to provide students with the proper background skills to achieve in your class. I am a science teacher, so I feel I am in a similar situation to you, in so far as the basics needed for continual growth in my content area. I have taken for granted some scientific concepts and understanding I expect my students to have by the time they reach me, but have been disappointed many times thus far when they don't have these skills. If I could provide a space within my classroom in which the skills I expect them to have can be reinforced within the class, I think it may be of great benefit to both them and me.
ReplyDeleteOne of my main areas of focus was discipline as well. I realized I was trying to find the balance between the wrong things. Structure and choice are key.I like that you are willing to implement the input strategy. your focuses are great, good luck in implementing them.
ReplyDeleteI would agree with you that since reading the Payne text my approach to discipline has changed as well. It is important that teachers understand why their students act the way they do and what may cause behavior issues. I just had an encounter with this today! One of my young students made a comment to me about the way she is punished at home when she does not know how to do her homework which gave me an explanation as to why she has a meltdown in my classroom every time she does not know the answers. Reading your response just reinforced my instinct to deal with her behavior tantrums (when she does not know how to do her work) differently than I might have before just because I understand her home life situation a little better.
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