Done.

No need to call in Judge Judy or pay a visit to Family Court. Jennifer was given the opportunity to express her complaint while David was given a chance to make things right. Win/Win, baby.

Mr. Morris
Picking up the second form in the Red Basket
and reading aloud:
Tyler is not playing fairly at tetherball.
Pausing for a brief, quizzical look at Tyler:
Tyler, this is signed by four students.
You should talk with them at the next recess and see
if you can figure out why they seem upset.

Tyler
Indignantly:
They’re not being fair either!

Mr. Morris
Calm but firm:
Tyler. I said to take care of it at recess. Thanks.

Although the Problem Solving Form may seem rather simple, I’ve found that it’s sometimes the simple things that work the best.

Helpful: A teacher told me one time that she spends a minute or two right after recess listening to students share “praise reports” about good things they witnessed. She warned me it takes a week or so for the students to get in the habit of looking for positives but that it soon becomes automatic.

Teacher
Back in the classroom after recess:
Does anyone have a recess praise report?

Student
We were playing four-square and one of
the big kids kicked the ball away. Jonathan went and got it so
that we could keep playing.

Teacher
Obviously pleased:
What a thoughtful thing to do. Thank you, Jonathan.

Not only is the topic of after-recess conversation better for everyone, but you’ve got to figure the next day, when the big kids kick the ball again, there will be four students wanting to get the ball. And all because their teacher took a moment the previous day to focus on the good things that happen in life.

» More Gazette articles...