Hello, I am new to Power Teaching. I just discovered it 4 days ago. I studied it intensely over the weekend with many questions to (and answers from)Chris and Jeff.

I teach English as a Second Language to grades K-6. I pull a group of kids for 30 minutes each. With small groups, it's been easy to let it become more informal, but now I see I have a big problem. Plus, I over-rewarded and under-corrected. My groups are pretty much out of control, and I spend most of time telling them to pay attention when I am talking.

Power Teaching sounds like the perfect solution. So I tried it today with my 5th and 6th graders. It certainly didn't look like what it looks like on the videos, and some of the kids said the Class-Yes and Mighty-Oh Yeah and Mighty Groan were stupid. They felt like they were in kindergarten. BUT....I felt much more in control, and that's what I was aiming for. I let them lose by only 1 or 2 points at the end of the day, and they weren't happy, but that's okay.

I hope it gets better, and that they are more receptive. I really want this program to work for me. Does anyone have any positive feedback to let me know this is perfectly normal, and that it WILL get better?

Thanks,

Diane

I'm wondering, how big are your groups? I've been doing it with my class of 20 for about a month, and I've noticed that when I try it with small groups it isn't nearly as effective. It's occurred to me that maybe Power Teaching is more suited to larger groups (the group mentality makes it more OK to be silly). Does anyone else have an opinion on this?

That said, I do think it will get better for you. Try reflecting each day about how you could have dealt with any issues that came up. The key to getting kids to buy into Power Teaching is to make them feel like it's a game. The Scoreboard is effective, but it really isn't a means of punishing them, but rather just a way to keep them engaged. Make sure as you plan your lessons you keep the "game" mentality in mind. One way to do this is of course to incorporate the actual PT games (like Superspeed 1000, which would be great for ESL kids).

Sorry your first day didn't go great. Keep at it and keep in touch.

dianedj wrote:


Diane,

Yes, this is normal, and it will get better. Remember that at that age level they will whine about anything new you do at first until they get a feel for it. Stay tight and on them on the points. Make sure you explain to older kids like this why we do Power Teaching. Explain it is how research shows you learn best, and remember the most. Remind them that buying into Power Teaching means they have a little less to write.

Also tell them that the more enthusiastic they are the easier it will be to learn and remember what you teach them. Tell them this method began in college classes. The real key ia for them to understand that this approach gives them the control over their learning. They control the points they get (they think) and the more they try the easier it is to learn. Explain that this allows them to learn in a way that moves what they learn into long term memory much faster than just writing stuff down.

Above all, as you remain enthusiastic and tight on the system they will take to it more as they realize how they fit in. Most of their resistance is an attempt to understand their place, to test the boundaries. Show them the boundaries firmly and fairly and they should take to it quickly

Jeff

jwhicks727 wrote:


I have the same trouble. My smallest class of 15 is the most trouble when it comes to Power Teaching. They are also my brightest class, and do the best on tests. I still Power Teach with them, but it is a struggle. I think it is hard to get the energy up, one down person in a class like that really throws everything off.

lol Is it possible we are actually making an argument for larger class sizes?

SReevesTX wrote:


With smaller groups the cliques are tighter. Switch up partners more frequently, once or twice a day.

use PT to do it. "All Ones stand up and find a new partner. If you can do it by the count of 10 without shoving, or offending anyone, especially me, you get a point on the Scoreboard. Ready? GO!"

Next time move all the Two's. For me breaking up the cliques in my smallest group helped a lot.

Thanks, Jeff. Great idea. And thanks for the specifics. That helps.

Diane