25 biggest mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them 2 edition

FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page i FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page ii A tender rosebud on the verge of blooming, basking in the light of new loves and life promises was snipped and crushed in a dark moment of despair Surely those are her sweet petals being carried away gently and lovingly by a winged messenger of the kingdom Goodbye Robertta, you were and always will be loved This book is dedicated to my Goddaughter, the late Robertta O’Neal Washington, August 4, 1984, to September 21, 2007 FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page iii FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page iv Copyright © 2008 by Corwin Press All rights reserved When forms and sample documents are included, their use is authorized only by educators, local school sites, and/or noncommercial or nonprofit entities that have purchased the book Except for that usage, no part of this book may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher All illustrations by Randy Glasbergen Used with permission Copyright © Randy Glasbergen www.glasbergen.com For information: Corwin Press A SAGE Company 2455 Teller Road Thousand Oaks, California 91320 www.corwinpress.com SAGE India Pvt Ltd B 1/I Mohan Cooperative Industrial Area Far East Square Mathura Road, New Delhi 110 044 India SAGE Ltd Oliver’s Yard 55 City Road London EC1Y 1SP United Kingdom SAGE Asia-Pacific Pte Ltd 33 Pekin Street #02-01 Singapore 048763 Printed in the United States of America Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data Orange, Carolyn 25 biggest mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them/Carolyn Orange — 2nd ed p cm Includes bibliographical references and index ISBN 978-1-4129-3787-0 (cloth) ISBN 978-1-4129-3788-7 (pbk.) Teacher-student relationships—United States—Case studies Effective teaching— United States—Case studies Interaction analysis in education—Case studies I Title II Title: Twenty-five biggest mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them LB1033.O73 2008 371.102′3—dc22 2008011275 This book is printed on acid-free paper 08 09 10 11 12 Acquisitions Editor: Editorial Assistant: Production Editor: Copy Editor: Typesetter: Proofreader: Indexer: Cover Designer: 10 Carol Chambers Collins Brett Ory Cassandra Margaret Seibel Rebecca Keever C&M Digitals (P) Ltd Penny Sippel Judy Hunt Karine Hovsepian FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page v Contents GJ Foreword xi Anita Woolfolk Hoy Preface to the Second Editon xii Acknowledgments xiii About the Author xv Introduction 1 DISCIPLINE Mistake 1: Inappropriate Discipline Strategies Scenario 1.1: Actions Scream Louder Than Words Scenario 1.2: Clean in Thought, Word, and “Backtalk” 10 Scenario 1.3: Nose, Toes, Anything Goes 11 Scenario 1.4: Sticky Business 12 Scenario 1.5: Nosing Around in the Corner 12 Scenario 1.6: Sneaking a Peek 13 Scenario 1.7: Water Sprites Strike 14 Scenario 1.8: Give a Hand, Get a Hand 14 Scenarios 1.9, 1.10, and 1.11: Knuckle Whackers 15 Scenario 1.12: The Lineup 16 Scenario 1.13: Attila the Nun 16 Scenario 1.14: Injustice and Punishment for All 17 Scenarios 1.15 and 1.16: Dubious Misdeeds 17 Scenario 1.17: Pay Attention!!! 18 Scenario 1.18: Cheating Exposé 19 Scenario 1.19: Biting in Self-Defense 20 Scenario 1.20: No Apology Needed 20 Scenarios 1.21 and 1.22: No Explanations, Please 21 Scenario 1.23: Whodunit? 21 Scenarios 1.24 and 1.25: Sitting Ducks 22 Scenario 1.26: Boys Will Be Boys 23 Scenario 1.27: Copious Copying 24 FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page vi Scenario 1.28: Assault With a Deadly Playground 24 Scenario 1.29: Punishment Befitting the Crime 25 Scenario 1.30: Old Betsy and What’s Her Name 26 Mistake 2: Physical Aggression Scenario 2.1: Punishment or Perversion? Scenario 2.2: Pit Bully Scenario 2.3: Putting the Squeeze On Scenario 2.4: The Hair-Raiser Scenarios 2.5 and 2.6: Perils of Paddling Scenario 2.7: Go for It Scenario 2.8: Handle With Care Scenario 2.9: Pupil Plucking Scenario 2.10: Sweet Smile of Sorrow 27 27 28 28 29 30 30 31 32 32 Mistake 3: Purposeful Alienation 34 Scenario 3.1: Scapegoat Scandal 34 Mistake 4: Public Ridicule Scenario 4.1: Confession ≠ Contrition Scenario 4.2: Don’t Bother to Raise Your Hand Scenario 4.3: Adding Insult to an Unjust Injury Scenario 4.4: Saving a Red Face Scenario 4.5: Old School—1899 or New School—1999? Scenario 4.6: If You Muse, You Lose Scenario 4.7: To Laugh or Not to Laugh, That Is the Question 35 35 36 36 37 38 38 39 TEACHER–STUDENT RELATIONS 41 Mistake 5: Favoritism Scenario 5.1: Snob Appeal Scenario 5.2: Sugar, Spice, and Very Smart Scenario 5.3: Teacher’s Pet 43 43 44 45 Mistake 6: Physiological Discrimination Scenario 6.1: The Antifat Motive Scenario 6.2: Writing Well at Any Cost Scenario 6.3: Blurred-Eye View Scenario 6.4: Discrimination by Isolated Exits Scenario 6.5: Baby and the Beast Scenarios 6.6 and 6.7: Stuff and Nonsense 47 47 48 49 49 50 51 Mistake 7: Personal Attacks Scenario 7.1: Derailment on the College Track Scenario 7.2: Risqué Rumor Scenario 7.3: Job’s Comforter Scenario 7.4: Mirror on the Wall, Who’s the Worst Student of All? 53 53 54 54 55 Mistake 8: Inappropriate Teacher–Student Relationships 57 Scenario 8.1: My Teacher, My Friend? 57 Scenario 8.2: A Wolf in Teacher’s Clothing 58 FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page vii Mistake 9: Deliberate Mistreatment Scenario 9.1: A Holy Terror Scenario 9.2: It’s Snowing Down South Scenario 9.3: Sins of Big Sister Visited on Little Sister 60 60 61 62 Mistake 10: Racial and Cultural Discrimination Scenario 10.1: Cross-Cultural Confusion Scenario 10.2: Cinderella in the Classroom Scenario 10.3: English-Only Spoken Here Scenario 10.4: The Transparent Mask of Prejudice Scenario 10.5: Separate and Unequal Treatment Scenario 10.6: Lesson in Oppression Scenario 10.7: Culture Clash 63 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 Mistake 11: Humiliation Scenario 11.1: Chalkboard Etiquette Scenario 11.2: Be Still and the Shame Will Settle Scenario 11.3: Shake, Baby, Shake Scenario 11.4: Girls Will Be Girls Scenario 11.5: Toma-to or Tomäto? Pe- can or Pecän? 71 71 72 73 74 75 CLASSROOM POLICIES AND PRACTICES 77 Mistake 12: Inappropriate Classroom Policies Scenario 12.1: New Kid on the School Block Scenario 12.2: Banished to the Underworld Scenario 12.3: It’s Now or Never Scenario 12.4: One for You and One for You and None for You Scenario 12.5: Sour Note Switch Scenario 12.6: Broken Bones: Give the Student a Break Scenario 12.7: The Shaming of the Crew Scenario 12.8: Last Picks Scenario 12.9: Speak First, Think Later Scenario 12.10: The Perils and Pearls of Mandatory Attendance Scenario 12.11: Sounding Off Scenario 12.12: “Loser of the Week”: A Real Loser Scenario 12.13: Only “Smart” Questions, Please Scenario 12.14: Help Wanted Scenario 12.15: Off on a Tangent Scenario 12.16: Worksheet Workout Scenario 12.17: Let Your Fingers Do the Reading Scenario 12.18: Rigid Mortis Scenario 12.19: Almost Perfect Attendance 79 79 80 80 81 82 83 84 85 85 86 87 87 88 89 89 90 91 91 92 Mistake 13: Inappropriate Toileting Practices 94 Scenarios 13.1, 13.2, 13.3, 13.4, 13.5, and 13.6: You’re All Wet 94 Scenario 13.7: Wait, Wait Too Late 97 Scenario 13.8: Right of Privacy: None of Your Business 98 Scenario 13.9: Pass the Pass Pronto 99 Scenario 13.10: Toilet Tyrant 100 FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page viii CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT AND INSTRUCTION 103 Mistake 14: Inappropriate Educational Strategies Scenario 14.1: Gifted: One Who Walks on Water Scenario 14.2: I Don’t Know, I’m Just the Teacher Scenario 14.3: Get Thee to the Second Grade! Scenario 14.4: Standing the Test of Time Scenario 14.5: Math Mania Scenario 14.6: No Play, You Pay Scenario 14.7: Prime Time Scenario 14.8: Once More, With Feeling Scenario 14.9: Teacher, Can You Spare a Sign? Scenario 14.10: Wait a Minute or Two or Three Scenario 14.11: No Excuses EVER! Scenario 14.12: Competition Isn’t Always Good Scenario 14.13: Keep Working, Rain, Shine, Sleet, or Divorce Scenario 14.14: I’m Writing as Fast as I Can Scenario 14.15: Reading Reticence: To Read or Not to Read Scenario 14.16: No Make-Up; I’ll Take a Powder Scenario 14.17: Can’t You See That I Can’t See? Scenario 14.18: Small but Mighty Scenario 14.19: Anything Worth Doing Is Not Worth Doing Well Scenario 14.20: Ready, Willing, and Able Scenario 14.21: Talk, Talk, Talk Scenario 14.22: Here an “F,” There an “F,” Everywhere an “F,” “F” Scenario 14.23: Academic “Payday” Scenario 14.24: If at First You Don’t Succeed, Try, Try Again, and Again, and Again 105 105 106 106 107 108 109 109 110 110 111 111 113 113 114 115 115 116 117 117 118 119 119 120 Mistake 15: Inappropriate Assessment Scenario 15.1: Test Error: Demotion to Promotion Scenario 15.2: “I”: Feedback or Folly? Scenario 15.3: I Am Not My Brother’s Keeper Scenario 15.4: Caustic Critique Scenario 15.5: Being Taught Red-Handed Scenario 15.6: Group Consequences: All or Nothing Scenario 15.7: Inflexible, Indifferent, Illogical, and Inaccurate Scenario 15.8: Tragedy on the Classroom Stage 122 122 122 123 124 125 126 126 127 121 PERSONALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM 129 Mistake 16: Teacher Insensitivity Scenario 16.1: Seeing Red Scenario 16.2: And the “Winner” Is Scenario 16.3: Name Sweet Name Scenario 16.4: Exit Front and Center Stage Scenario 16.5: Eye to Swollen Eye Scenario 16.6: Diagnosis: Faking 131 131 132 133 133 134 135 FM-Orange-45606:FM-Orange-45606 Scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario Scenario 5/6/2008 7:11 PM Page ix 16.7: When the Bough Cracks 16.8: The Bereaved Must Leave 16.9: Children Must Be Seen and Heard 16.10: Stripped of Protective Coating 16.11: Turning a Deaf Ear to Bullyragging 135 136 137 137 138 Mistake 17: Academic Shortcomings Scenario 17.1: Shame and Punishment Scenario 17.2: Ducking the Stoning Incident Scenario 17.3: A Know-a-Little and a Know-It-All Scenario 17.4: Academic Inquisition Scenario 17.5: Jumping to a Gender-Biased Conclusion Scenarios 17.6 and 17.7: Tread Lightly, but Do Tread Scenario 17.8: All Talk and No Teaching Scenario 17.9: Don’t Know Fall From Autumn Scenario 17.10: Teaching Solo Students Can’t Hear You Scenario 17.11: The Incarceration of Originality 141 141 142 143 144 144 145 147 148 148 149 Mistake 18: Poor Administration 150 Scenario 18.1: Duped Dancers 150 Mistake 19: Teacher Reputation 152 Scenario 19.1: Fearsome Reputations Often Precede People 152 Mistake 20: Teacher Misjudgment Scenario 20.1: Shrinking Violet or Conceited Prima Donna? Scenario 20.2: Damsel in Distress? Scenario 20.3: Trust Me at Your Own Risk Scenario 20.4: The Whole Is Greater Than Its Parts Scenario 20.5: Excluded! Scenario 20.6: To Err Is Human, to Admit It Is Divine Scenario 20.7: It’s Gobbledygook to Me Scenario 20.8: Your Crime, My Time 154 154 155 156 157 157 158 159 159 TEACHING STYLE AND BEHAVIOR 161 Mistake 21: Teacher Bias or Expectations Scenario 21.1: Once a Clown, Always a Clown Scenario 21.2: Dark Comedy of Gender Bias Scenario 21.3: Justice for All Scenario 21.4: Extraterrestrial Terror Scenario 21.5: Liar, Liar, Your Habit’s on Fire Scenario 21.6: Cheater Watch 163 163 164 164 165 166 167 Mistake 22: Unethical Behavior Scenarios 22.1 and 22.2: Keep Hope Alive Scenario 22.3: Out in the Cold Scenario 22.4: Bloody Secret Scenario 22.5: A Lesson in Deception 168 168 169 170 171 ... Twenty-five biggest mistakes teachers make and how to avoid them LB1033.O73 20 08 371.1 02? ??3—dc 22 200801 127 5 This book is printed on acid-free paper 08 09 10 11 12 Acquisitions Editor: Editorial Assistant:... Tragedy on the Classroom Stage 122 122 122 123 124 125 126 126 127 121 PERSONALITY AND PROFESSIONALISM 129 Mistake 16: Teacher Insensitivity ... Classroom Mistakes (20 05) The first edition of 25 Biggest Mistakes Teachers Make and How to Avoid Them is a bestseller and has gained international popularity It has been reviewed in India and translated