Management and Social Skills

   In my readings this week, the focus was on behavior management and social skills instruction in the urban classroom.  According to not only these articles, but teacher conversations, these are the most frustrating to many. It is apparent that the problem lies not just in our students, but in ourselves.  We, as teachers, spend little time treating the cause and most of our energy on the symptoms.  Students want (and are in many cases) used to structure - quite the opposite of what many teachers believe.  I often hear comments from other teachers, like "well, that student has no guidance at home, has no rules, etc."  That may actually be the opposite of what is really going on at home.  Some students are used to very direct and strict rules and they experience the opposite of that in their classrooms.  Often the intentions of good teachers are to give students freedom (hence, make them like us) and yet, what students are used to is knowing what is expected of them and having very specific instruction.
    Now, don't get me wrong - the constructivist approach to teaching is not at odds with this.  In order to be engaged and motivated, our students do need to have input  and take responsibility for their own learning.  However, when it comes to the structure of the classroom, students need to know the limits and boundaries.  This cannot be left up to them - they crave these in order to feel secure.  Once secure, then students can direct their energy to their learning and not to wondering what the expected behavior is and how to negotiate the procedures of the classroom.