COAT OF MANY POCKETS Managing classroom interactions Author

COAT OF MANY POCKETS Managing classroom interactions Author : Jenny Mackay Presented by Anthea Skoumbros, Jess Stratfold, Alice Carter and Hannah Copping

OVERVIEW/FRAMEWORK Jenny Mackay has a B. A. from the University of Western Australia. She is a behaviour management and discipline skills specialist. The text answers two essential behaviour management questions: “What actually works? ” “How can I learn to do that? ” The book contains a unique and simple way of implementing behaviour skills.

POTENTIAL OF THE PROGRAM This book has the potential to create positive classroom culture through a series of behaviour management skills that work in the classroom The book has several objectives which are aimed at helping teachers focus on: � Being proactive � Acquiring the knowledge, understanding and skills to effectively manage student behaviour � Working from a positive mind-set � Viewing their role in managing behaviour in the classroom � Realising the impact effective behaviour management has on a student’s ability to learn and achieve in the class.

In order to achieve a positive classroom culture it is also important to develop positive relationships with all students � Throughout the book Teacher-Friendly Behaviour Support (TFBS) is used � These informal discussion groups are set up by teachers who have a specialisation in managing student behaviour in their classrooms and school Overall the book aims at to demonstrate that students should be allowed to develop within boundaries that enhance their individuation.

BRAIN BREAK!

SUITABILITY Cross curriculum strategy that is not confined to one particular area of the curriculum Suits any type of school setting as any teacher can implement it Useable for any age group as the methods can be adapted to fit all years It is not specific to any gender Fits all types of school culture as it is about mutual respect and acknowledgement

#ROLE PLAY Dilemma: Noisy Class – Primary "I have been using some of the strategies you presented with my grade 1 -2 classes and have been finding them very effective. . . thank you! I have made particular use of strategies such as 'I' statements when dealing with children individually. ” “I was wondering if you could provide me with an effective strategy for dealing with a whole class situation in which MANY children are off task and working noisily at their tables - what would be an effective thing to say to have them settle to work quietly? "

#SOLUTION - BASED ON COAT OF MANY POCKETS Students need to be re-focused and back on task and my first thought is for you to observe at what stage during the progress of the class the disruptions begin. If the class normally starts quietly and later gets noisy, which is what usually happens, then choosing when to intervene becomes the critical move. Intervene when you notice they are just beginning to get fidgety. At that time maybe need a quick relax exercise – such as a brain break and then they can go quietly back to work.

EVIDENCE OF EFFICACY "All I do is slip on my 'coat'. It keeps me safe, it gives me that extra confidence. When I face a situation in class - students playing up - I just slip out a skill from on of the many pockets in my coat and I deal with it. I manage the situation and the behaviour, and everyone can get on with their work". Ian Butler, Teacher from St. Francis Xavier Regional Catholic College, Beaconsfield, Victoria, Australia. "Dear Jenny, I have just completed reading your book, "Coat of Many Pockets" and found it inspirational & in line with the culture we would like to facilitate in the school". Jennifer Rendall, Principal at Middle Park Primary School in Melbourne. “ I would like to let you know that I have begun using your book and it has made me a much calmer person in the classroom, and I feel like I have gained some control over myself and the students. Thankyou so much for writing a book that actually gives you specific strategies for specific areas of need! I have also been recommending it colleagues and I hope to attend more of your workshops in the future. ” (Irit Rozenfeld, classroom music teacher)

LIMITATIONS It takes time to read the book Cost of Additional Workshops and the book Scheduling time for these additional workshops The concept that managing behaviour takes time and experience Finding the time to apply these new strategies confidently Doesn’t allow for classroom student diversity Was developed in 2006

CASE STUDY I am a student teacher doing my practicum in a primary school. I have a few difficult students who constantly tease me, try and humiliate me and who are generally disrespectful. I've tried ignoring them but the situation is getting worse. Because I'm just a student teacher and not their regular classroom teacher, they tend to test me and ignore me no matter what I say or do to try and correct them. Also, I'm originally from overseas and have a marked accent which the children focus on and rag me about - which I find hard to deal with. Could you give me some suggestions how to handle these kids?

RESPONSE BY JENNY MACKAY If students think they can get away with such behaviour they will do as they please. You have as much personal authority as any person in the school and you need to communicate to the children that it does not matter who their teacher is, respect and politeness is expected. Ask your mentoring teacher what they would do in a similar situation (eg teaching in a foreign country), and how they would manage this kind of behaviour and these students. They may recommend strategies and ideas for managing these students Don't take the behaviour personally, instead focus on the person behind the behaviour, engage them quietly, they will teach you about themselves. This will allow you to develop a warm, trusting and productive student - teacher relationship. You could also take the opportunity for a lesson on different peoples in the world, different cultures and different accents

REFERENCE LIST Behaviour Management in Education. (2011). Practical student behaviour management. Retrieved from http: //www. behaviour. com. au/coat. htm Mackay, J. (2006). Coat of many pockets: Managing classroom interactions. Camberwell, Vic: ACER Press. Mackay, J. (2014). Classroom management with Jenny Mackay. Retrieved from http: //jennymackay. com. au/