Comments on: “I’ll Work If You Give Me Candy” http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/ill-work-if-you-give-me-candy/ ...For Teaching ELL, ESL, & EFL Sun, 06 Dec 2009 01:30:31 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: Marcy Webb http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/ill-work-if-you-give-me-candy/comment-page-1/#comment-5535 Marcy Webb Sun, 26 Jul 2009 21:49:58 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3681#comment-5535 I don't. I did a lot of personal reflection several years ago, and decided that the token economy route didn't speak to me as a teacher. This is said without judgement of other teachers. As a colleague and friend told me, we each have to listen to and follow our teacher voice. That said, it's fun sometimes, to reward a class that has been working really hard. I don't recall what it was that my Spanish 2 class was doing, but, I told them that if they were able to translate all eight sentences correctly, I would bring in donuts. They did, and so I did. I don’t. I did a lot of personal reflection several years ago, and decided that the token economy route didn’t speak to me as a teacher. This is said without judgement of other teachers. As a colleague and friend told me, we each have to listen to and follow our teacher voice.

That said, it’s fun sometimes, to reward a class that has been working really hard. I don’t recall what it was that my Spanish 2 class was doing, but, I told them that if they were able to translate all eight sentences correctly, I would bring in donuts. They did, and so I did.

]]> By: Beth MacLehose http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/ill-work-if-you-give-me-candy/comment-page-1/#comment-4818 Beth MacLehose Sun, 10 May 2009 14:44:08 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3681#comment-4818 I was asked if there were times that I moved teachers beyond the "its not fair" feelings. The most success I've had in that area is when I have had some of my students in their classrooms. Because they are "mine" it seems to be okay to do different things and the issue of fair hasn't come up with teachers (and therefore the students haven't brought it up either). I have then been able to point out that no one in the class mentioned it and that maybe the intervention would work with a student that wasn't "mine". It has taken time, but slowly I have made some inroads. I was asked if there were times that I moved teachers beyond the “its not fair” feelings. The most success I’ve had in that area is when I have had some of my students in their classrooms. Because they are “mine” it seems to be okay to do different things and the issue of fair hasn’t come up with teachers (and therefore the students haven’t brought it up either). I have then been able to point out that no one in the class mentioned it and that maybe the intervention would work with a student that wasn’t “mine”. It has taken time, but slowly I have made some inroads.

]]> By: Beth MacLehose http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/ill-work-if-you-give-me-candy/comment-page-1/#comment-4817 Beth MacLehose Sun, 10 May 2009 13:12:34 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3681#comment-4817 I have individual deals with all of my students (I work with students who have behavioral challenges). And depending on the day and how a student is dealing with his behavior I react to the same behavior from different students differently because we are all individuals. I almost never get any complaining of "it's not fair" from the students. On the few occaisions I do the student complaining is usually having a rough day and I turn the conversation into, what can I do to help you make it through the day." Over the years, when I have suggested to teachers practices or interventions they might try for a student who is having a hard time in their class I hear, "but it is not fair". I'm left wondering if the reason I don't hear that in my class is because I know in my heart and soul I AM being fair to all my students and believe deeply that fair and equal are not the same. My students know that the "it's not fair" whine will not push a button, and they know that I am their biggest fan ready to do anything I can to support them in their drive to be a successful student. Other teachers who worry about fairness may not have that belief system and are not sure that it is fair to treat students differently. Their students pick up on that quickly and know that they have either: found an area for a legitimate complaint in their teachers' eyes, or that they have found a button to push on those teachers. I have individual deals with all of my students (I work with students who have behavioral challenges). And depending on the day and how a student is dealing with his behavior I react to the same behavior from different students differently because we are all individuals. I almost never get any complaining of “it’s not fair” from the students. On the few occaisions I do the student complaining is usually having a rough day and I turn the conversation into, what can I do to help you make it through the day.”

Over the years, when I have suggested to teachers practices or interventions they might try for a student who is having a hard time in their class I hear, “but it is not fair”. I’m left wondering if the reason I don’t hear that in my class is because I know in my heart and soul I AM being fair to all my students and believe deeply that fair and equal are not the same. My students know that the “it’s not fair” whine will not push a button, and they know that I am their biggest fan ready to do anything I can to support them in their drive to be a successful student.

Other teachers who worry about fairness may not have that belief system and are not sure that it is fair to treat students differently. Their students pick up on that quickly and know that they have either: found an area for a legitimate complaint in their teachers’ eyes, or that they have found a button to push on those teachers.

]]> By: Dottie http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/2009/05/08/ill-work-if-you-give-me-candy/comment-page-1/#comment-4806 Dottie Sat, 09 May 2009 13:19:40 +0000 http://larryferlazzo.edublogs.org/?p=3681#comment-4806 Larry, last month I read a post on Jim Burke's blog titled "breaking my own rules" It was another example of a teacher being flexible and understanding that each student has unique needs. I believe that good teachers practice the teaching arts. It is not an exact science and anyone who thinks that using one global approach should not be anywhere near a classroom. Larry, last month I read a post on Jim Burke’s blog titled “breaking my own rules” It was another example of a teacher being flexible and understanding that each student has unique needs. I believe that good teachers practice the teaching arts. It is not an exact science and anyone who thinks that using one global approach should not be anywhere near a classroom.

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