Teach for America does love their acronyms. Just to name a few: TFA, LS, CS, CMA, SOM, BMC, CFU, CM, etc. I won’t bore you with the details of these acronyms.
Today I received Real Time Coaching for the Behavior Management Cycle (“BMC”). Teachers will understand this concept far faster than anyone else. What is BMC? BMC is “an approach to classroom management developed by Lee Canter[, a classroom behavioral specialist]. It involves a high level of teacher control in the class. It is also called the 'take-control' approach to teaching, as the teacher controls their classroom in a firm but positive manner. The approach maintains that teachers must establish rules and directions that clearly define the limits of acceptable and unacceptable student behavior, teach these rules and directions, and ask for assistance from parents and/or administrators when support is needed in handling the behavior of students.” What does all this mean? It means I sound like a moron in my classroom, but these moronic sounding directions effectively control student behavior. I’ll give you an example of how BMC works:
“Today, students we will be talking about themes in literature. When I say go, get out your notebooks and pens and prepare to take notes. Go. Susie has her notebook out and is ready to take notes, Johnny is sitting up in his desk and prepared to take notes. Bobby [who is not paying attention], the expectations are for you to get your notebook out. That’s a consequence.” Yes, it sounds stupid! But for some reason students – even high school students – respond to this. Now I would think as a high schooler I would be insulted by someone talking to me like that but apparently I’m giving them way too much credit for being a little more grown up.
I unfortunately really suck at BMC, which is why today I got Real Time Coaching (“RTC”). What does RTC entail? A BMC specialist sits at the back of my classroom and coaches me on how to effectively use the BMC. Through walkie-talkies with ear pieces, the coach’s transmits the BMC directions. Talk about an annoying process, but I will say that it does work. Just to have that little voice in my ear saying "Narrate now" or "Give a consequence" worked. My students were actually better behaved. Not perfect mind you but better. Alas, once the coach left the classroom halfway through my lesson, it quickly went to hell in a hand basket, so I still have much work to do.
Today I received Real Time Coaching for the Behavior Management Cycle (“BMC”). Teachers will understand this concept far faster than anyone else. What is BMC? BMC is “an approach to classroom management developed by Lee Canter[, a classroom behavioral specialist]. It involves a high level of teacher control in the class. It is also called the 'take-control' approach to teaching, as the teacher controls their classroom in a firm but positive manner. The approach maintains that teachers must establish rules and directions that clearly define the limits of acceptable and unacceptable student behavior, teach these rules and directions, and ask for assistance from parents and/or administrators when support is needed in handling the behavior of students.” What does all this mean? It means I sound like a moron in my classroom, but these moronic sounding directions effectively control student behavior. I’ll give you an example of how BMC works:
“Today, students we will be talking about themes in literature. When I say go, get out your notebooks and pens and prepare to take notes. Go. Susie has her notebook out and is ready to take notes, Johnny is sitting up in his desk and prepared to take notes. Bobby [who is not paying attention], the expectations are for you to get your notebook out. That’s a consequence.” Yes, it sounds stupid! But for some reason students – even high school students – respond to this. Now I would think as a high schooler I would be insulted by someone talking to me like that but apparently I’m giving them way too much credit for being a little more grown up.
I unfortunately really suck at BMC, which is why today I got Real Time Coaching (“RTC”). What does RTC entail? A BMC specialist sits at the back of my classroom and coaches me on how to effectively use the BMC. Through walkie-talkies with ear pieces, the coach’s transmits the BMC directions. Talk about an annoying process, but I will say that it does work. Just to have that little voice in my ear saying "Narrate now" or "Give a consequence" worked. My students were actually better behaved. Not perfect mind you but better. Alas, once the coach left the classroom halfway through my lesson, it quickly went to hell in a hand basket, so I still have much work to do.
My friends here at Institute are annoyed with me because I keep behavioral managing them at mealtimes. "Lindsay, is eating all her vegetables. Sarah, is sitting silently and eating her meal. Meghan [who is refusing to eat the truly awful food in the dining hall], the expectations are that you should be eating your dinner. That's a consequence." Ahhhh, teacher humor!
7 comments:
the comic says it all... that is SOOO true...and honestly- Lee Canter? OMG- I used that over 20 years ago... the new line of "strategies" is all about the Marzano method! Good luck my friend! Thinking of you! :)
After reading what you wrote, I can't help but think that maybe this technique is appropriate for little ones, just learning public behavior, and group norms, and self-control. But it honestly makes me cringe to think that young adults are talked to like this. Doesn't it sort of "out" them in a very public way that might possibly seem humiliating and perhaps take away the personal freedom to DECIDE or to CHOSE to participate or to learn - aside, of course, from the choice between compliance (which isn't necessarily learning) and of getting a consequence. What are the consequences, by the way, Sandi ? And just to be clear, I know there must be some way for teachers to translate the rules of behavior and expectations in a classroom situation. Just not sure I am a fan of this particular method. It seems to favor compliance at the cost of learning and interpersonal respect. I could be wrong on this. You'll have to let me know.
Lee, they brought up Marzano today. I still don't quite understand that yet. Bonnie, I'm really not a fan of this method of classroom management for all the reasons you listed, but I'm not sure what else to do when I have 17 uncontrollable, rowdy boys who all want to talk at once. No one is learning in that atmosphere. I'm actually trying to find a happy medium. I prefer a Socratic method but these students seem to have never been told about classroom decorum. They all talk at once, they shout out, they completely go off task. I'm trying to engage them about some text that we're reading, but their responses are about something completely different. Like the student who asked when they were getting laptops, when I'm trying to teach a lesson on genre. So while I'm not a fan - for the moment, I need to use it until I can figure out the best way that works for me.
Absolutely don't understand what you mean by "that's a consequence." A consequence would be something that happens as a result of something. So What is a Consequence? And when are you getting laptops!! :) How many of your students had ADHD? The one non-honors class i took in NYC High School the class was so "well-behaved" that on frog dissection day -- which I was really looking forward to -- the kids decided to throw the frogs and their body parts all over the classroom. :( Would BMC (or whatever) have really prevented that? :)
:) LOL.... Isn't teaching great!! Barbara.... I never had frogs thrown at me...but I did have a desk or two, a stapler, and I think a pair of scissors... ahh- the life of a teacher.... Don't you love it when people say, "must be nice to only work a few hours a day and get so many days off"... *smh
It does get better though, Sandi...I promise! ♥
Sandi, it sounds like maybe those older kids are actually, developmentally, young. Maybe that's a part of why they need this program - or something like it- in order to learn the decorum for learning. You'll find your way, I'm sure, because you're a thinker and devoted.
Yes, my students are definitely developmentally young. Also, many of them are academically young. Some of these almost 9th graders are on a 4th or 5th grade level. So yes, the BMC is necessary right now. Using the BMC at the beginning of the year sets expectations so that within a couple of months, the behavior is set and then you don't need to use it that much any more. Okay, the consequences thing is pretty innocuous. A set of consequences are posted on the first day of class and it is explain that they're for when rules are broken (the rules of the class are also posted). The rules are pretty simple (only5 rules) and can be summed up with Be Respectful. The consequences are: 1st con. the name goes on the board, 2nd con. a check mark next to their name, 3rd con. they're moved to a desk at the back of the room and detention (we had to add the detention part this week), 4th con. there is a call home and an apology letter, 5th con. removal from the classroom. We've never had to go beyond the 3rd consequence. Everyone have that down in their notebooks?
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