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Main » Academics & Education » K-12 Programs

Four Favorites for Education Professionals

Author: Ruth Wells, M.S.

Several of these great strategies were given to us by participants in our Breakthrough Strategies to Teach and Counsel Troubled Youth Workshops, but the names of the participants have long since become separated from these terrific ideas. So, if you are one of our former course participants now reading an idea that you mentioned in class, we apologize for borrowing your inspiration. In many ways, our Breakthrough Strategies Workshop has always been a collection of the best methods that exist, so it is not a stretch to highlight a few methods inspired or donated by our loyal class attendees.

1. Waiver of My Rights (School and Non-School Versions) As shown below, this intervention is geared for school, but if you will simply alter a few key words from the school-based example below, you can easily make this device work at your Job Corps, foster home, treatment center, etc. This intervention is designed to be used with children and youth who feel that your service is a waste of time.

Remember: You must judge this and every other intervention that we offer to see if it fits your youngsters, your locale, etc. The intervention below is not suitable for all youngsters. You can also consider editing to make it gentler. To get a broader array of methods, consider coming to our workshop or buying some of our books at our website). Our workshops and books flood you with a vast assortment of methods, rather than the small handful offered here.

Waiver of My Rights
I want to waive my constitutional right to a free education.
I, _________ hereby give up my rights to education.
I give up the right to choose a high-paying job forever.
I do not want to be a partner in my own success.
Signed, _____________________

2. THINK ABOUT IT
Other than not being a very good sentence, this next device may be a great thing to say to impulsive youngsters: "You can't think yourself out of what you acted yourself into." Then work with them to think first, act second.

3. MAKE A WHINE LIST
Some days, a girl's just gotta gripe. Boys too. The next "black Monday," when all attitudes seem to be dreary and whiny, here is a fun activity that can turn it around. If you're a teacher, this may be an activity that you can relate to writing, art, or reading.

You can choose one of the following versions. One choice: Let your students make a Whine List of all their complaints, and get the complaining out of their systems. A second version: Have your students devise a menu for a restaurant called The Irri-Table, and then create dishes that fit the mood. For example, the main course might be crab in whine sauce. You may want to follow this activity with a discussion of what happens to crabby employees in the work place, and assist students to develop plans to moderate their attitudes on the next black Monday.

4. WHAT STUDENTS WANT
It may be useful to note what students often say they want from their teachers and counselors. It may not be what you think. Some surveys have shown that students don't ask for less work, longer lunch or more days off. So what do they want? They want their teachers and counselors to believe in them. That thought can guide you. New research, reported in Education Week on 9-3-03, notes that when youth professionals "pay attention to students' social and emotional development, children do better academically." I have to admit that the top complaint we get in our workshops from teachers is that they are sickened by what they overhear in neighboring classrooms or in the hall.

At a school here in our town, a boy named Len teetered towards dropping out. Then, starting with the new school year, Len was assigned a math teacher who belittled Len and called him names on a daily basis. Soon, Len started coming in late for math, then he skipped math entirely. Eventually, he stopped showing up at all. Says a former classmate: "In the 12 years I shared classes with him, I watched many teachers try unsuccessfully to make it better for Len, but I will always remember the one teacher who successfully made it worse."

LIKE THESE STRATEGIES?
We have thousands more in our books, tapes and workshops. The smattering of resources listed in this issue are just a few of the solutions we have to help you build a more productive year. When you think of problem youth, think of us. We can help! Visit our web site and we'll give you some free sample materials if you visit.

Author Bio:

Get much more information on this topic at www.youthchg.com and theclassroommanagementsite.com. See hundreds more of innovative, problem-stopping interventions at the Youth Change web site. Ruth Wells MS is the director of Youth Change. Ruth is the author of dozens of books including the popular Temper and Tantrum Tamers, Turn On the Turned-Off Student, Last Chance School Success Guide and Maximum-Strength Motivation-Makers. She annually trains hundreds of teachers, counselors and youth professionals in staff development workshops, conferences, seminars and in-service throughout the country. Get free samples and see 100s more of her problem-stopping interventions at Youth Change's web site. Ruth is the author of dozens of books and ebooks, and conducts professional development workshops. Please visit us at our website at www.youthchg.com or feel free to call us at 1-800-545-5736.

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