Reflect back on your own teaching or a teacher you had as a student. Describe a time when you (or your teacher) entered "child mode" intentionally as a way to appropriately interact with students. Describe a time when you (or your teacher) entered "child mode" unintentionally, as a result of student behavior. What were the consequences in each instance? Describe what "business mode" means to you, in particular, dispelling the notion that this mode means cold and uncaring behavior.
I do recall one teacher who did enter child mode on purpose, to show us a bad example and a good example of a classroom routine (lab safety). Most everyone laughed with the bad example, and nearly all of us understood the expectation for the good example. One time I entered child mode unintentionally, is when a particular scholar was distracted. I went over and kept saying, "come, on." He retorted, "I'm not a dog." My tone apparently sounded like I was talking to my dog. I did apologize and request the scholar to get busy with his assignment; he did get started however he was quite disgruntled. In one situation, it felt good and funny; in the other the scholar felt disrespected. Business mode means to be firm but friendly, even caring. It basically communicates that scholars are here to learn, and through different learning instances you get to know each scholar.
ReplyDeleteI think in business mode the friendly part can bring feelings of favoritism to some, as they don't really understand that term always, and can be made to feel like you treat some as more of a friend than you view them. The hard part is finding ways to make each individual feel valued and important.
DeleteI honestly don't remember if any of my teachers did or did not enter "child mode" while I was in school. With regards to my classroom, I will enter child mode sometimes to drive home a point that is in direct relation to the class. We were talking in my class about saving money, and spending wisely. I discussed a current meme about how I found out I was being scammed, as I pay a guy every month to live in his house. What I pay him is more than the mortgage, so he is making money on me. Plus when I move out, he gets to keep the house I was paying to live in. The kids all laughed and thought that was funny, but then we talked about what it really meant.Business mode means being firm, fair and consistent. This way everyone feels like they are treated equally at all times.
ReplyDeleteI like this description of business mode, because that is exactly what we strive to be and what business mode allows me to remain. If I use child mode that is a very conscious choice and is meant to illicit a specific reaction; therefore it is not suitable in the classroom as I use it, especially since I am very close in age to my students and I need to remind them more of the fact that in the classroom I am an authority figure whose rules are to be followed instead of working to remind them that I can relate and am there for them.
DeletePersonally I cannot say that I ever had a teacher enter child mode in my experience, nor have I done that. However, I do try to make my interactions with students "playful" in that we have some thought-provoking back and forth and I encourage them to always ask questions and talk to me about things beyond just the material in order to develop those all-essential teacher student relationships, as well as to give them a safe space to talk about their day and anything else that they want to get off their shoulders. However, the manner in which I speak always remains more business style to ensure that boundaries are not passed and that I don't forget myself and speak in an overly casual manner that divulges personal and unprofessional details or thoughts.
ReplyDeleteThis chapter shows us the three different models to follow and that each teacher must follow to have control and the attention of the students, and also mentions the importance of working one on one for those students who do not follow the rules of the classroom. For me, in particular, the most important model is that of the home, from home start the education and the good or bad manners of each individual begin. Also the importance of controlling ourselves as teachers in a difficult situation and never showing anger in front of the students, and most importantly creating a positive environment
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