Is Discipline a Problem?

Dear Early Grade Teacher,

A technique exists that allows a new teacher to handle a classroom like an experienced teacher would, and manage discipline successfully. Inexperience—not the teacher, is the cause for unnecessary discipline challenges in the classroom. Advice from colleagues, though well intentioned, can't substitute for experience, and that is why it doesn't work for the new teacher. Novice teachers must find out for themselves what works and that takes time. This technique empowers teachers to gain skills uniquely suited for them, instead of spending years using trial and error methods to get results. By practicing and applying simple exercises, teachers can transform their careers into satisfying experiences and end discipline challenges in the classroom, now.

There is a new classroom management strategy that enables a teacher to manage a class successfully. The technique is called scripts. What are scripts? Scripts are an entire week of teaching, hour by hour, minute by minute. Similar to the lines an actor might use to rehearse for a stage performance. The scripts, devised by a teacher with 33 years of experience, are complete lessons with timed transitions for going from one lesson to the next. The scripts can be used right-out-of-the-box, so to speak. They are not intended to replace a teacher's regular lessons, just to augment them.

Why use scripts: 1) to learn tips and tricks that you'll use your entire career; 2) to make your lessons more effective; 3) to work smarter, not harder; 4) to win the confidence of children.

By themselves scripts are good, but when presented properly they're very good. I'm sure you'll agree that presenting is everything when it comes to holding a child's attention. It makes sense when you think about it, how a lesson is presented can be just as important as the content itself so optimum learning can take place. And there is no better way to master the art of presenting a lesson than through the craft of acting. Applying acting techniques in the classroom can literally turn a dull lesson into an exciting one that children love.

When you combine scripts with some simple acting techniques, you'll notice dramatic changes in your classroom: 1) discipline problems fade away as children become more transfixed on you; 2) children learn faster and get better grades. How does it work? It is a two edged sword: it involves practicing voice modulation and facial expression exercises. In the book Brand New Teacher you'll find these exercises along with behavior scripts and instructions on how to use them. Practice of these simple exercises, along with the scripts liven-up lessons and the result is undivided attention from students. So-called gifted teachers have always used these methods to excel in the classroom.

Gifted teachers are often characterized by the high-achieving students they produce, and their classroom—where you can't hear a pin drop. They also expend less energy achieving this kind of classroom environment than the teacher who is concerned with discipline. It works because gifted teachers present lessons to get certain responses from children, just like entertainers tailor a performance to get applause from an audience. We call these responses "predictive." On one hand, the teacher creates the response, and on the other hand, he or she uses specific routines to deal with the response. Knowing how to deal with responses from children is the key to classroom management. In Brand New Teacher you'll understand this concept better as you learn how to tailor your own lessons to get these same responses, and how to deal with them. Feeling and performing like a gifted teacher is not that difficult. Sound too good to be true? Let's look at why it works.

Will it work for you? For a number of reasons—yes! First, children are malleable and adapt easily when they enjoy the teacher and the lesson; children are naturally attracted to teachers who present lessons in new and exciting ways. Second, literature on the Internet support the methods used in the book. Just Google terms like Psycho-cybernetics, behavior modification and acting and you'll learn how people achieve what they want through practice —"to become what they pretend to be." After a little research, you'll realize why it works. Third, using it and seeing it work in the classroom will boost your confidence; the confidence to create your own scripts and present them in your own way. This book and desire are all that you need.

As a publisher, I am happy to offer teachers a book that really works—a real substitute for inexperience. But the book is not only about acting, teaching, behavior scripts and classroom management. These are just some of the tools you'll find in Brand New Teacher: How to Guide and Teach the Early Grades Using Scripts by Carol Keeney. The book is rich in resources for the early grade teacher and it is a great reference book too. It is appropriate for grades kindergarten through 2nd grade and the author welcomes questions and comments.

Acknowledgements
Brand New Teacher is a book that has ideas that can prove very useful for any new teacher
—Lee Cantor, Author and Educator

Yes, you may use my kind words about this very important publication that everyone in the field of education must have. Parents will benefit from the publication also. As a matter of fact, everyone who can purchase this book, should.
—Dorothy G Smith, North Carolina State University

My most important reference book. I don't lend it out.
—Andrea Picco, teacher, Wilton CT., former National Honor Society President, Sacred Heart U

This book is visually appealing and filled with ideas to help the new teacher feel comfortable and confident in the classroom. The way the text and graphics are placed on each page, makes the reader want to continue reading the book. Any page you turn to has another idea that can be very helpful, especially when the teacher is first starting out. I, a seasoned teacher, have found ideas in this guide that I would use in my class.
—I Adler, Rye Brook, NY

Brand New Teacher benefits you in many ways
• Get the attention from children and keep it.
• Questioning techniques that will change a simple story into a guided reading lesson.
• Resource with art, math and literacy projects
• Organize your classroom and yourself
• Transform a group of students into a community of learners right from the start
• Present creative lessons and activities that will knock their socks off
• Express yourself as a teacher and emulate teachers you admire.
• Be more assertive
• Gain approval from parents and administrations
• Use transitional tips to make your day go smoothly
• Create your own scripts for the rest of the year
• Handle tricky discipline problems with the behavior scripts

Order
Online: Amazon
Phone orders: Bookmasters 800-247-6553
Check ($14.95 payable to): Vested Publishing, PO Box 400, Monroe CT 06468 ( allow 10 days for delivery)

Contact
The author welcomes your comments and questions, she can be contacted at: Carol Keeney

Bio
Carol Keeney has taught the early grades for more than thirty years. She has also taught Education at the College of New Rochelle and Norwalk Community College. In 1998 she was listed in Who's Who Among American Teachers. In order to be listed in this prestigious book, first, the teacher must be nominated by former students. Second, the former students must have been members of honor societies who became successful in their own right. Third, these former students acknowledge that the teacher, being nominated by them, was the best teacher they ever had.

Vested Publishing™ Resources Early Grade Classroom Management