Whilst my main discipline ideas have been helping teachers up and down the globe, ย it’s always good to add in a few new flavours to the mix every now and then.
This trick I actually learnt from a doctor, and it actually works in any walk of life. ย It does sound a little out there, but give it a try, it’s amazing what it can do to brighten your day as well as take away all the stress of those previously “bad” kids!
1. Best to start this outside the classroom, but where you have people around. ย Now I just want you to imagine that every human being you see has angel wings coming out of their backs! ย Weird, I know, but try it. ย ๐
2. Keep doing this for several days before trying it on a live class of students. ย Just see *everyone* with angel wings on their backs. ย You’ll be amazed at how people’s reactions to you will change. ย You’ll feel taller, smarter and much more charismatic! ย See, I told you it was weird!
3. After a few days practice of seeing everyone around you with angel wings on their backs, now give it a try on that worst class in the school! ย Walk in there, chest out, chin up and imagine all those rock hard kids all with little angel wings on their backs! ย Give it a few minutes and see the magic happen!
I told you it was out there, but it certainly works!
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Richard
P.S. ย If you are a total hard nosed skeptic then do try the regular ideas, ย but remember, we’re all now seeing you with those wings on your back! ๐
P.P.S. ย Another related tip for those of you who need a little extra self esteem boost, ย just imagine you have a massive, massive ย heart in your chest. ย Your heart is so big and giving that it is just huge inside, expanding out your chest. ย Just feel as it pumps you up, makes you stand tall and just wants you to get out there and give all your heart to everyone around! ย Give it a try and let me know how it feels! ๐
This really works! I have a class that has lots of issues recently. I usually see my classes once a day for 3-5 days. The first day with this class is the hardest. I have to stop an activity, go over the rules, and restart at least a couple of times, but I smile and tell them how much I enjoy their support (when I can find a trace of it in the lesson). By the end of the week the smile is genuine and so is their support.
Reading such posts makes my heart bigger. Thank you , Richard !
Like the sound of this to he honest. I cant say I have any monsters but often when my students arrive they look like someone just told them Xmas is cancelled. It’s probably my thunderous face giving them cause for hesitation. I dont intentionally look like that it’s just my face. Perhaps some visualisation like this would buoy me up and get rid of some of that subconcious hostile residue that we all surely collect along the week? Either that or give me prozac. Or another coffee ๐
Interesting! I will definitely try this out on my most difficult class!