Controlling Behaviour

Lots of you have raised 'behaviour' issues during our Thursday meetings. It is clear that some of you are struggling with some of your mentees. Not surprising really: year fives are becoming more confident as they move into the second half of the year. Don't forget this has a lot to do with you and the support you have given them. However, you do not have to suffer any unacceptable behaviour.

Let me repeat the ideas from the year five leader, Mrs Williams, and her team, which have already helped some of you get the year fives back on track.

• Encourage good behaviour by telling them you are allowed to recommend individuals for a 'star of the week' award. This has already changed behaviour in one group.
• Remind mentees that you will send those who cannot behave sensibly to Mrs Williams.

The first option is far better than the second because it is positive and carries a promise rather than a threat. It is always better this way round.

Whichever option you use, be sure you carry it out, or the mentees will think you are soft and take advantage of you.

Above all, be organised. If you are clear about the activity and have your resources organised, you can keep the pace high, make it fun and give them no chance to misbehave. It is also important to show them, and tell them, that you enjoy their company and their efforts. Keep using words which show you value them and their ideas.

"You worked hard today and really brought the activity to life." "That was fun, I liked the way you worked together." "Great behaviour this week."

Ninth Activity

“THE PURPOSE OF THIS ACTIVITY IS TO WORK AS A TEAM”

RESOURCES: ENVELOPES CONTAINING A CUT-UP SNOOPY STORY

EXPLAIN THAT THE FRAMES OF THE CARTOON STORY HAVE BEEN JUMBLED UP. PUPILS CAN TAKE TWO FRAMES EACH, EXAMINE THEM AND THE GROUP THEN WORKS TOGETHER TO make the story.

(Pick up the spare frames yourself and model how to cooperate. Explain what you are holding: “This frame shows Charlie Brown on a hill looking sad”)

ENCOURAGE POLITE DISAGREEMENT:
“Can I make another suggestion?”
“I’ve got another idea”

It doesn’t matter if their version doesn’t match the original. It is better if they have good ideas and work together

“When we work together, things can be more fun and more successful.”

Eighth Activity

ACTIVITY EIGHT (YOU NEED TO CUT OUT THE STATEMENTS BEFORE THE SESSION)

“The purpose of this activity is to think about YOUR progress”

Ten statements are written on slips. Pass slips to mentees. Ask them to place them on a line, based on how they feel about them

Problems-----------------------------------------------------------------Fine
I HAVE MADE NEW FRIENDS


EACH PUPIL CAN PLACE THEIR STATEMENT WHERE THEY LIKE, BUT THERE MAY BE DISCUSSION ABOUT WHERE OTHERS WOULD PLACE THEM.
THIS DISCUSSION IS WHAT WE WANT, SO ASK, “WOULD ANYBODY PLACE THAT SOMEWHERE ELSE?”

ENCOURAGE THEM TO DISAGREE POLITELY:
“I’M NOT SURE I AGREE WITH THAT…”
“I SEE WHAT YOU MEAN, BUT….”

THE RESULTS WILL PRODUCE INTERESTING INSIGHTS FOR YOU, WHICH YOU CAN SHARE AT OUR NEXT MEETING.

I HAVE MADE NEW FRIENDS

I KNOW THE NAMES OF ALL MY CLASS

LUNCHTIMES ARE GOOD

MOVING CLASSROOMS BETWEEN LESSONS IS FINE

I KEEP UP WITH MY HOMEWORK

MENTOR SESSIONS HELP ME

I KNOW HOW TO GET HELP

I FEEL CONFIDENT AT STOKE

I AM HAPPY IN MY CLASS

I GO TO LUNCHTIME CLUBS