When a kid asks you if you've seen a specific comedy movie, say no. If you say yes, they think it gives them licence to recount all of the dirty humour in that movie.

Lesson Learned. Grade 7/8.

Curiosity. One of the greatest tools in our arsenal.

A child's curiosity can be infuriating. They're constantly trying to peek at your notes, look in the teacher's desk or even search up the history on the teacher's classroom computer.

That said, their curiosity is a powerful motivator. It is an internal need-to-understand and as teachers it's harder to come up with a stronger motivator than that.

Challenge: Harness the power of curiosity as often as you can.

To start off my Grade 7 Form and Function Unit I brought in a bag full of items. I had pumpkins (hollow/shell structure), snowshoes (frame structure) and a deer antler (solid structure). It's a simple enough thing to put together, but you would not believe how they crane their necks to see what else is going to come out of the bag.

Curiosity. The internal quality that will keep educating them, long after our brief window with them has closed.

Lesson Learned. Grade 7/8.

Give all kids a time to shine.

A boy who does precious little right, did well on part of the Math homework. He volunteered to be one of the ones to write the answers on the board but I had already chosen other people.

In hindsight, I should have let him share his answers. He has very low credit in the classroom. I could've given him a much-needed boost.

Next time.

I need to seek out ways to let these kids show what they do well.

Lesson Learned. Grade 7/8.

Be fair.

I am finding that every choice I make, every time I pick a student for a privilege or dole out a consequence, I need to be able to justify it.

This is a pretty basic concept. In my own head, I obviously have a reason for why I chose the student I did. The thing is to be able to remember that reason and make sure it "holds up in court" so to speak when another student says, "Why did you choose them? That's not fair!"

If you constantly choose only from a set of responsible students when it comes to some tasks that demand responsibility, is that being unfair?

I think everyone needs a chance to prove that they're dependable. At the same time, if you have some students who have proven themselves to be unreliable, then no, they aren't ready for a task that demands reliability.

In some cases, giving responsibility can make a student responsible. In other cases, you may end up with a dead class pet.

Lesson Learned. Grade 7/8.

How to build rapport:

1. Smile.
2. Listen.

Smiling is one of the simplest ways to get kids on your side. I've noticed that it is particularly effective with Primary or ESL students. I think it works for Primary students because it makes them feel safe. I think it works for ESL children because they have such limited communication capabilities, that you really need to express with your body language, that you like and accept them and that they're safe.

Listening is also very important. You know all of those random stories kids tell that don't really go anywhere but they feel the need to tell them anyway? Listen to those stories. Ask them about their lives. Solicit their opinions. Seek understanding of their interests. I know listening takes time (sometimes even learning time) but if you include some moderate listening in your everyday teacher life, it will most definitely pay off.

Lesson Learned. Primary division.

It helps to have a relationship with a kid, before you need to discipline them. If they don't know you, why would they listen to you?

Building a good rapport is invaluable.

Lesson Learned. Grade 7/8.