Session 1
Planning for learning / Rational Detachment

Effective planning begins with a clear framework and an attitude that considers how students learn and what motivates their beahviour in the classroom. The resources below and your readings from the text can be used to assist teachers frame their beliefs and understanding of how kids behave.
 

An education consultant, Richard Lavoie is well respected for providing a thought provoking and insightful look into what it is like to be a student who is struggling at school. He examines the motives and responses that students commonly exhibit and proposes possible attitudes and strategies that teachers can use to ensure these students feel more engaged in school and more ready to remain settled in class.

In this excerpt from Richard Lavioe's DVD called 'When the chips are down' he brings a perspective on student behaviour often missed when we view this behaviour as a personal affront.
 

A summary of the video explaining Lavioe's analogy of the poker chips.
Some more questions to consider . .
Some PEX scenario questions . . .
(click to view scenario)                   

* What are the main issues?

* What strategies could you put in place to try and change this scenario into a more positive experience for students and pre-service teacher?

* This student was sworn at, what are you going to do?

. . . A first day on PEX scenario (click)
Find a range of behaviour scenarios to work through that have been collected from the past experience of PEX students and teachers.
Use this interactive checklist to work through behaviour scenarios developing the most effective strategies to match your teaching style.
Chapter 1 - Teachers, Teaching and Educational Psychology Pages 2 - 21
Chapter 3 - Personal, social and moral development: Pages 77 - 90
Chapter 11 - Creating learning environments: Pages 427 - 454