Finally, the ritual must put students in a positive emotional state. It must be uplifting. This may seem trivial, but it's just as important as the other criteria. Many eachers have rituals at meet the first four criteria, but not this last one. Because rituals are by nature somewhat repetitive, you run the risk that students will get bored or tired of them. We've all seen teachers who need silence in the room raise their hand. The expectation is that kids see other hands up and raise their hand. too This ritual meets four of five criteria but misses the boat. This is the critical teature students' brains must have an affirming, positive memory of actually doing the rit Otherwise, they'll do it a couple of times and then do it grudgingly or stop altogether. Now, let's get specific and illustrate when and how you can use ritual
Rituals are different from procedures. Al teachers need procedures to stream- line classroom problem solving, but procedures lack two critical features that rituals collectively, always end in positive emotional s and (2) they are done all classroom so they build community and encourage common engagement. Not procedures need to be rituals in a healthy classroom half rituals number rituals, there may be a 50-50 balance half procedures and half rituals
24ตารางเยส
Using Rituals to solve Problems
The more time you teach, the greater the likelihood you may have problems. By the way, use the word problem in the larger sense, meaning an issue to deal with. It might not be something bad at a it just means you have to take the time to deal with it. Over time, dealing with issues wears us all out. Here are examples of recurring issues that you may have to address:
o starting the class on time
o taking daily class attendance
o welcoming visitors, managing interruptions
o incorporating energizers, stretch breaks
o making announcements, enabling students
o make announcements
o acknowledging a student's birthday
o having students clean up their desks
o getting the class's attention
o distributing supplies
o celebrating
o collecting things from students
o wrapping up the class
Anatomy of a Ritual
Let's take the first "problem" on that list: starting class on time, with a good attitude. every day for months on end. That means you need a ritual, so let's cre ate one and then we'll break it down.
Problem to solve: You need a start to class
Ritual name: Startup Response.
When it's used: When students arrive, enter the room in the morning, or come back from recess or lunch.
What you do: Play a predesignated "callback song" and the second it's over. "If you made it back on time, please raise your hand and say, 'Yes! Model the behavior, and raise your hand, saying, "Yes! Then say, "Now turn to your neighbor and say, 'Happy Monday to you!'" (or if they're getting back from recess, "Welcome back!
What students do: They raise their hand and say, "Yes!" Then they turn to the nearest person and say, "Happy Monday to you!" or "Welcome back!"
Let's analyze whether (and how) this ritual fits the five criteria that constitute a productive ritual
o Does it solve a recurring problem? Yes, getting students back on time and ready to learn is a recurring problem.
o Does it include and engage everyone? Yes, everyone is asked to and they all participate.
o Is it simple and easy to do? Yes, all the students have to do at first is raise simple and neighbor and their hand and say one word ("yes". Then they turn to their give a brief affirmation.
o Is it highly predictable do the students know when going to happen? YES, it happens every time they return to class, no EXCEPTIONS
o Dose it put student in a positive emotional state ? yes it does. One of Does it put students a positive emotional state? the most positive words in the English language is yes. The second part anges it from a solitary experience to a social experience. Students turn to a neighbor to offer a thoughtful and caring (yes, it's a bit trite) affirmation
The beauty of this ritual (or any similar one) is that it solves recurring problem (e.g., noisy class, fragmented discussion, inattentive students) elegant way. There's no bell, no evil eye, no shushing, and no raising the voice. There's no admonishment offered, no frustration generated, and no venting needed. It's short and fun. Talking students are not asked to be quiet; they are simply asked to say a single positive word ("yes"). This is smart because it's easier to get students who are talking to keep talking than it is to get them to be quiet. In this ritual, students are asked to recognize that they are in a social environment and to acknowledge a neighbor with an affirmation. This ritual takes far less than a minute to complete. Once the ritual is complete, students typically forget what they were talking about. For several seconds the room is totally quiet, and that's your cue to jump in and start the lesson. Wait too long, and the noise level escalates.
The Benefits of Using Rituals
Often students will remind you to start or complete a ritual. That's when you really know that your rituals are working. There are five truly fabulous benefits to using productive social rituals that meet the criteria:
1. Discipline: Rituals reduce discipline problems because many of the behaviors that arise from doing them provide opportunities for expression and creative outlets that kids like