Token Reinforcement System in the Classroom

The Token Reinforcement System can be very beneficial in the classroom setting. Token Reinforcement System allows for all students to earn tokens for academic work and positive classrooms. Tokens are reinforcers that students earn and students then use the tokens they earn and exchange them for rewards. Some examples of tokens include checks, stars, holes punched in cards and chips. Additionally, some rewards that students can get are small toys, school supplies, free time, positive notes sent home, and time to listen to music. Moreover, a token reinforcement system is used to increase appropriate behaviour and learning aid through using visual aids. Token reinforcement systems can be used to help break down a huge task into smaller, manageable tasks. Furthermore, token reinforcement systems are often used to help teachers to gain instructional control; it can also be used to teach self-monitoring skills and delay gratification. 

As a future teacher, there are many things to consider when implementing a token reinforcement system. One thing to consider is to pick target behaviour that is incompatible with negative behaviours. Target behaviours can be based on academics, such as completing class work and reading quietly when prompted. It should be noted that target behaviours cannot be done while doing negative behaviours. Another thing to consider when implementing a token reinforcement system is to have a variety of reinforcers. Teachers need to include rewards that are motivating to a variety of students. Token reinforcement system will not work if all of the rewards are similar.

Another thing to consider when implementing a token reinforcement system is to have a plan for fading. To elaborate further, the token reinforcement system will not work if it is the same. Teachers might consider lengthening the time between when teachers buy the rewards. Moreover, teachers might also consider beginning to gradually give out less tokens. As a future teacher should note, the token reinforcement system should only be used to motivate students who are completely uninterested in their work and have not responded to other approaches. In addition, token reinforcement systems should encourage students who have consistently failed to make academic progress and to deal with a class that is out of control. 

Drawing on my experiences, I had a teacher who implemented a points system - where I received points when I was actively participating in class, completing my classwork and homework. Additionally, I also lost points whenever I forgot to complete my homework or if I accidentally left my homework at home. At the end of each week, the amount of points earned, translated into how much play money I got; and with the play money I earned - I can use the play money to redeem prizes, such as school supplies, a pass to use the school gym during lunch recess, food, etc. 

Catherine L@NU

The Danger of a Single Story; what will be your classroom setting…

The Danger of a Single Story; what will be your classroom setting…

Recently I had the opportunity to listen to a Ted Talk "The Danger of A Single Story" from Chimamanda Adichie.   An insightful piece about a young woman growing up in Eastern Nigeria.  As a child, Chimamanda grew up reading British and American children's books. Stories about a culture and characters with whom she could not identify.  As stated, children are impressionable and vulnerable and such stories can convince a child that all books had to be similar in nature, that it was the "norm."  Chimananda did not find people like herself in any of the stories she read.  The stories were good to expand her knowledge but did nothing for her identity and finding connections.  The author goes on to warn about the danger of a single story through examples such as a poor boy in her village.  Poverty became her single story of this individual. She did not see him and his family for the many talents they possessed.  

We have seen in the media and through Chimananda's story how Africa is often categorized into one box and not recognized for the various countries throughout.  In addition, how repetition of a single story about a culture becomes the reality for its people. For Chimananda this meant that all Africans are poor and savage like and we should only feel pity. Other examples are the way Native and African Americans are portrayed in Western Literature. There is no room for connections and similarities to Western Society, only negative differences.   The author goes on to express that power makes these stories definitive.  If we had started the story from the perspective of a "Native American and not with the arrival of the British, we would have heard a different story". Our perception would differ.  

     As an educator, how dangerous would it be to create a classroom that was not inclusive?  A classroom where we only highlight the single story of a particular culture and portray anyone considered outside that "norm" in a negative light.  Chimananda highlighted that children are impressionable. We need to embrace cultural differences and introduce opportunities for children to make connections. Create an atmosphere where every child feels included and more importantly has a variety of resources to identify with.  An atmosphere where children work collaboratively and can learn from various cultures only creates a rich opportunity in education.  We have come a long way and there has been a shift in becoming more inclusive of differences and cultures, especially within Canadian societies.  However, we can do more. Why not start in the classroom?  As Chimanada states, let's balance our stories. Provide the positive with the negative.  Repair dignity and give children the opportunity to find their cultural voice.  For educators, this means embracing differences, being inclusive and building relationships.  In addition, educating ourselves to eliminate single stories and "the risk for critical misunderstandings".  

Talya@NU

Watch it - Click the link below:

 Ted Talk. (2009). The Danger of a Single Story. Retrieved October 28, 2021:

 https://www.ted.com/talks/chimamanda_ngozi_adichie_the_danger_of_a_single_story?referrer=playlist-how_to_tell_a_story. 

ASCD: SEL Best Practices & More

Putting the SEL in Academic Recovery The latest: Finding balance in pandemic recovery, Jim Knight on supporting instructional coaches, SEL best practices and more.

Balance Rigor with Restoration

School leaders should have two parallel goals that drive education in these pandemic times, as far as superintendent Jen Schwanke is concerned: 1) academic recovery and 2) social-emotional health. Without a balance between the two, educators risk doing harm to students’ school experience.     But finding this balance isn’t easy. In a recent blog post and during a session for this week’s ASCD symposium on “The New Era of Education,” Schwanke explains how to navigate the pendulum swing between rigor and restoration.     After more than a year of disruption, focusing on academic progress as a school team—with data as a central part of instructional planning—is an important place to start. Schwanke suggests asking questions around what kind of standardized assessments to use, whether teams are over-assessing, where students are regressing and where they need enrichment, and how classroom assessments can fill gaps that standardized tests might miss.    At the same time, Schwanke says, leaders must work to restore confidence and joy in students’ experiences. This means brainstorming new check-in systems, utilizing the skills of counselors and social workers, connecting with parents to bridge home and school experiences, and empowering students to pay attention to their own strengths and challenges.    “Our teachers know what to do, just so long as they have us there to boost them up and give them the support they need,” writes Schwanke. “Balancing the ladder is the key, as is the faith that students will be OK.”    Read the full post.

Peer Relationships

 

Peer relationships are an imperative aspect of child growth and development. It provides children with a unique context to learn, experiment, accept challenges, and take on new experiences, all while building and strengthening their social-emotional behaviour. Strong and positive peer relationships can allow students more opportunities for self-awareness, self-esteem, and decision-making. It is needless to say that negative peer relationships can result in troubling outcomes for a child, influencing negative decision-making patterns. Social acceptance is a very strong stigma in schools. From a very young age, children quickly grasp the idea of individualism and groups, often connotating it as either good or bad. For example, from my professional work experience, I've realized that students often associate being alone as a bad thing, not having friends, or something is wrong with them. Whereas if a child is associated with a group of individuals, they are seen as cool or accepted. 

How to Promote Positive Peer Relationships in the Classroom:

• Focus on changing the disposition of the class (switching up groups and/or seating arrangements constantly)
• Encourage student voice and participation
• Teach social and life skills (boundaries and consent)
• Incorporate real-world examples which students can relate to
• Allow student exploration, exploration, fluidity 
• Create and foster a positive learning environment

 This video excellently breaks down key themes and concepts of positive peer relationships: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kleVviMrKA

 

Manpreet@NU

Megan Finds a Site for You: Math & Accounting Activities for Kids

Math and Accounting Activities for Kids

Math is the study of numbers. Accounting is the practice of managing money. Math and accounting go together because we need math to add, subtract, multiply, and divide money. These can be scary subjects for some people. When we look further, though, we find that managing money doesn't have to worry us. Using simple math to take control of our money makes us a lot more confident. 

In fact, learning about math and accounting can be fun!

Here's a site for you to check out and use with your students.

https://www.financialforce.com/library/math-and-accounting-activities-for-kids/

Brought to you courtesy of Megan@booklicious.net

Megan is a volunteer for Booklicious and it was Megan who found the site above!  Thank you Megan for your work - Keep it up!

Education.com - Halloween Things to Do in the Classroom & Home

Worksheets Games Get Unlimited Access Take Halloween to new heights with these hauntingly entertaining activities. Bat Bags Activity Sensory Poem: Halloween Activity Mummy Pizza Activity Spider Mobile Activity Mummy Bracelet Activity Metric Math: Witch Potion Worksheet Boo-tiful art Witches, ghosts, zombies, oh my! We received more than 400 entries from 26 countries and were blown away by all of the talented artists.

Love the Mummy Pizza - Wow, what a great idea and tasty too!

FUN CLASSROOM GAMES TO IMPROVE STUDENT LEARNING

1. Snowman: Can be used in grades 2 to 6. This game can be played to introduce new words to the students. Students can either be broken into groups, can play individually on worksheets or as a class. The teacher writes blank spaces equal to the number of letters of the word and the students have to guess the letters that make up the word. Each wrong letter is added to the drawing of the snowman until the snowman is complete. 

2. Pictionary: Can be used for grades 3 and up. This game can be played for students to guess words, story themes, concepts etc. It's a great tool for them to use their imaginative skills. The students can be divided into 2 or 3 groups. One student will be given a word, concept or theme that they have to draw out for the students of their own team to guess. The teams who guess correctly will get a point. 

3. Classroom Charades: Can be used for grades 1 and up. This is a great game for students to learn new words. One student would be invited to the front of the class, the teacher would give them a word, a noun or an action word and the student has to act it out for the rest of the class to guess. It's a great game for students to be engaged, think and connect meanings to words.  

4. Freeze dance: This is a fun game to let loose. The teacher would play the music and the kids can move around or dance and they need to stop as soon as the music stops. It is a good way of building a rapport with the students and improving their listening skills and to improve their attentiveness and alertness. 

5. Jeopardy: Can be used for grades 6 and up. The teacher can play a game of jeopardy with the class by dividing them into two groups. The teacher can ask questions related to topics taught in class or any questions related to the next topic that she is going to teach to get a sense of what students already know. The team that gets most of the correct answers, wins. 

 JEOPARDY

Helpful websites:

https://jeopardylabs.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UcZWXvgMZE

References 

Charades Game Rules. UltraBoardGames. Retrieved October 22, 2021, from https://www.ultraboardgames.com/charades/game-rules.php. 

Classroom pictionary - fun and educational game for students. Classroom Pictionary - Fun and educational game for students. (2021, September 2). Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://www.drawize.com/blog/classroom-pictionary. 

Game, P. 21 classroom games to boost teacher effectiveness and student learning. Prodigy Education. Retrieved October 23, 2021, from https://www.prodigygame.com/main-en/blog/classroom-games/. 

KIBOOMU. (2015, March 25). Freeze dance | freeze song | freeze dance for kids | music for kids | the Kiboomers. YouTube. Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UcZWXvgMZE. 

Online jeopardy template. JeopardyLabs. Retrieved October 24, 2021, from https://jeopardylabs.com/. 

Brought to you by: Priyanka @ NU

Tips for Parents in their Child's Education

The role of parents in education is such that it can determine the course of each child's life. Parents teach their children what is necessary for life and what is harmful through educational style, behaviour, communication, attitude, etc. It is the parents who create the facilities and conditions in such a way that the children have the opportunity to progress in different areas of life. But sometimes their decisions are based on inappropriate criteria and despite their efforts, they can not figure out a good future for their child. Obviously, how to deal with and how to provide suitable conditions for children to grow and develop, requires knowledge. In fact, all family members can make a significant contribution to each other's progress due to interaction with each other. Today's families are much more sensitive to their children's education and academic achievement than previous generations. Families with more gifted and educated children, by providing all the welfare conditions, place them in an isolated and closed environment and away from childhood and adolescence experiences. On the other hand, families having children who are not interested in school, force their children to study by spending on education and even punishment and pressure.

Parents are role models for their children. Parents who raise their children with books, reading, and storytelling from an early age and encourage them to read books, in fact, indirectly encourage their children to study. In this way, such parents will raise children with a greater tendency to study and study.

You can not take the child out of the house to school in the morning and expect a genius to be delivered to you at noon. Research has shown that the biggest determinant of a child's success in school is the amount of support at home and family education. Do not just instruct children to read and ask them to do all the homework themselves. Therefore, it is necessary to start teaching life skills to children according to their age and ability.

No child needs to be a hundred steps ahead of themselves and their age to succeed. So be patient in teaching children and give them time and let them progress according to their age and ability. An important issue that parents should be aware of is the problems that may exist for children and prevent them from learning and being educated. One of the most common is learning disabilities. This disorder causes the child to be able to learn less than expected from his or her actual age. In this case, you should consult a child counselor.

Many parents are very insistent on enrolling their child in miscellaneous classes. Even if their child has no desire, they enroll him or her in foreign language classes, for example, and expect good performance from their child. The child has to spend his energy on things that he is not interested in, this bores the child. Do not push your child to learn a second language, for example ,if his or her interest is in sports. 

Destroying one's childhood at the cost of getting a score of A. This behaviour is often seen by perfectionist or obsessive parents. They deprive their child of play so that they must have learned all the material in full. The child must do all his homework, complete his lessons to be able to play. If the child comes home and gets a grade of B, he will not be admired, because he got a low grade, the child must always try hard to satisfy the parents, and this will make the child disgusted with school and education.

https://honarehzendegi.com/fa/Parents-and-education

https://varune.com/%D8%B1%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%A7%D8%B1%D9%87%D8%A7%DB%8C-%D8%A7%D8%B4%D8%AA%D8%A8%D8%A7%D9%87-%D9%88%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%AF%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%B2%D9%85%DB%8C%D9%86%D9%87-%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%B5%DB%8C%D9%84/

Courtesy of Marziyeh@NU

How Children Fail & How Children Learn - By JOHN HOLT

Here's a book written by John Holt in 1964, called How Children Fail

Foreword 

Most children in school fail. For a great many, this failure is avowed and absolute. Close to forty percent of those who begin high school, drop out before they finish. For college, the figure is one in three. Many others fail in fact if not in name. They complete their schooling only because we have agreed to push them up through the grades and out of the schools, whether they know anything or not. There are many more such children than we think. If we "raise our standards" much higher, as some would have us do, we will find out very soon just how many there are. Our classrooms will bulge with kids who can't pass the test to get into the next class. But there is a more important sense in which almost all children fail: Except for a handful, who may or may not be good students, they fail to develop more than a tiny part of the tremendous capacity for learning, understanding, and creating with which they were born and of which they made full use during, the first two or three years of their lives. 

Why do they fail? ...

Read more and become enlightened - Holt's book sheds a light on how children fail (and how we fail as teachers), but it conversely shines the light brightly on how children can learn (and how we can do better as teachers) .... Read between the lines! 

John Holt was an advocate for homeschooling or the "unschooling" of students as he, in my opinion, gave up on the American school system.  Are we at that point in Canada? Is the system so broke that we can tell you how and why children fail and how and why they can learn, but we don't fix it? A question for another time, for sure.

Click the link below to read more:

https://ia800206.us.archive.org/8/items/HowChildrenFail/HCF.pdf

Then, in 1967 he wrote, Holt wrote another book, entitled How Children Learn. 

Here is a brief sample (from audible.ca) from the book.

You can listen by clicking this  >>>>>  AUDIBLE