Tuesday, April 5, 2011
"Take A Break"
At the beginning of the year I felt overwhelmed (as usual) about implementing new strategies and teaching techniques. One of my goals was to use the Responsive Classrooms approach toward behavior. However after going to the training I did not feel that I could do EVERYTHING involved in this approach. My theory behind it was that I only want to try a few things, and to do those things very well, instead of doing everything and getting overwhelmed and not doing anything correctly. With all that being said, I have a couple questiosn. #1 Who is using/has used the "take a break" chair this year. #2 How did you implement it? #3 Do you think it was successful? I would like to explore the possibilities of using this strategy next year in my class. I have asked students to take breaks in the cluster, but I do not believe I have used it to its utmost potential. Thanks!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I used take a break this year. We called it our "Peace Place," though. In some ways it has worked, and in other ways it hasn't. There is still more for me to figure out!
ReplyDeletePeace Place has been an effective strategy for most of my students. For students who are typically on task and making good choices, Peace Place is a quick reminder to think about what they might have been doing that was a problem. It gives them a chance to be away from the group for a minute or two. I feel good about the fact that I have kept it balanced--all students go to Peace Place at some point. It hasn't become a spot for the "bad kids."
For other students, though, Peace Place has not been effective. I have a few students that really struggle with self-control and making good choices in the classroom. Often, they are seeking attention from other kids. For them, Peace Place is just another stage. I still use it with them when they need a quick reminder, but if the behavior is bigger, then I typically move straight to a break in the cluster.
I have used take a break and the buddy room all year and they were definitely more successful at the beginning and middle of the year. By this time of the year the students who are frequent visitors aren't affected by taking a break.
ReplyDeleteThe way I implemented it was by reading the book A Quiet Place by Douglas Wood. I read the book and we discussed how the boy needed to go to his "quiet place" throughout the book. We went on to talk about how it's okay to go to your quiet place to calm down and then I introduced the take a break chair.
I know at the responsive classroom training they wanted the take a break chair to be positive place for students to visit but let's face it, sometimes you just need a kid who is breaking rules to sit out and think about how to change his/her behavior! Erin said it perfectly that for some kids it won't work and you may have to move right to the buddy room or the cluster for the student to change his/her behavior.
The thing that has worked the best for me this year has been the buddy room. The teacher next door and I use each other for the buddy room. We like having the students take a break in another room when they are too distracting or there is a major behavior issue. The students will still be learning because they are getting instruction in another classroom and it changes their behavior quickly.
I think it's a great tool and it can be used many different ways!
I have also used it this year and have seen similar things as Erin and Heather. I introduced it with the same book as Heather, and we call it "Our Quiet Place". With my group this year, it has been very effective. It is great to just say "Take a Break" and remove them from situations. They calm down, get away from their peers and can come back ready to learn. I know that sometimes they are a little checked out when they are there and may miss some things, but they would miss it anyway if they stayed in the situation. I have a sand timer next to the chair, and they flip it over and come back so they are self-sufficient. Nobody gets angry about taking a break, and I have a rack full of class books and student made books that they look at while they sit there. I also use Kim's room as a buddy room if our classroom isn't working. I find that words better than the cluster because she is in there watching them and holding them accountable. I have had them bring work or just listen to what she is teaching. I have had a lot more success with the chair this year, than in previous years.
ReplyDeleteI start with "Take A Break" every year, using it correctly until about MEA. After that, it always seems to become a place I send kids who are driving me crazy. You are all inspiring me to keep at it and try to make it the "reset" space it's supposed to be. I think I'd like to come observe one of your classes once we get going next fall, if that's okay. I've fallen farther off of the RC wagon than I meant to.
ReplyDeleteI'm starting a take a break corner for the first time this year and just found this cute pillow to put in there. http://www.zazzle.com/take_a_break-189376335493259607
ReplyDelete