From the author of the best-selling If You Don't Feed the Teachers, They Eat the Students, comes an innovative resource for all who work with pre-K through 12th grade students. Neila Connors presents a wealth of strategies and techniques to help teachers develop, maintain, and sustain positive student relationships. If You Don't Feed the Students offers practical, commonsense methods for improving classroom performance, served up in an engaging and entertaining manner.
- Unique, classroom tested strategies for validating all students to help them succeed in the classroom
- Proven approaches that will benefit teachers, student teachers, and school administrators alike
In this fun, must-have resource, Connors reveals how empowering students creates a climate of care and compassion and improves everyone's attitudes and achievement.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments xv
About the Author xvii
Preface xix
Introduction xxi
1 “Welcome!”: A Courteous Greeting, and Everyone is Valued 1
Dignity 1
Respect 2
Relationships 4
Care and Compassion 6
Wellness 6
Everyone Must Feel Valued 10
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 11
2 Ambiance: A Positive Climate and Culture 15
Climate 16
Elements of Climate 18
Culture 20
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 23
3 Safety: Physical, Emotional, Social, and Intellectual 29
A Safe and Secure Environment 30
Five-Star Schools Have Goals 33
Physical Safety 34
Trust 35
Bullying 36
Motivation 38
Discipline 42
Social Safety 48
Emotional Safety 50
Intellectual Safety 52
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 53
4 Menu: A Variety of Options Based on Our Needs 63
Building Positive Relationships 63
First Days/Weeks/Month of School 64
Seize the Day 66
Connections 66
Commitment 66
Consistency 67
Choices 68
Challenges 68
Collaboration 69
Communication 69
Celebrations 69
Relevance 70
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 71
5 “This Way Please”: An Effective Leader and Vision 77
Vision 79
Mission 79
Values 80
When Life Gives You Lemons Become a L.E.M.O.N.A.D.E. Leader 82
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 86
6 “I’ll Be Your Server”: A Team of Caring and Trained Adults 91
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 95
7 Communication: Succinct, Effective, and Ongoing 103
Speaking 108
Listening 109
Reading and Writing 110
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 110
8 Satisfaction: We Left F.E.D. and Eager to Return 119
Fulfilled 120
Attitude 120
Energized 123
De-Stressed 123
Change 126
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 128
9 Comment Card: The Opportunity to Provide Feedback 131
Skills for Learning 133
T.I.P.S.: Techniques Improving the Performance of Staff and Students 136
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 137
10 Fun: An Environment That Everyone Enjoys 141
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 146
11 “Check Please”: Reflection Shows the Experience Was Worth It 151
F.O.O.D (Fulfilling Opportunities Offered Daily) for Thought 155
