Drama Teaches Social Values in Class

Siham was a student in 4th grade classroom. She was a leading member in the class who used to bully all the children and make fun of them. She has received positive praise from the class when she used to bully other children. She couldn’t join the group work successfully so she would take over the group to regain her confidence. To help students and help Siham overcome this behavior, the teacher has introduced drama in order to explore acceptance and exclusions and the image of bullies and victims in this classroom. When the drama started, Siham was working with two other boys and two girls. She was sharing her ideas and developing group work and not dominating the work. The image that was created has pictured Siham as a victim of bullying. She was thrown on the floor and crying massively begging for mercy. Siham was playing the role of a victim and has mastered the bad consequences that the bullied children fall into. Siham is now more sympathetic and showed an improvement of behavior with her peers. (Dickinson & Neeland, n.d.). Drama has successfully provided social learning in mixed ability setting for all pupils. It can heal the society and can improve the behavior of bad behaviors through putting them in the shoes of others. Drama has numerous advantages on pupils because it can heal the society and implant games to the learning objective. 
 We are facing massive problems in our society due to the hatred that is spread everywhere nowadays. Citizens lack the skills they need to interact with others so they fight all the time. For that, teachers should implement drama in the classroom that research proved can teach students social values that they need to live peacefully in class and later on in the society. We can all agree to disagree but we need to know how to disagree in a peaceful way. Drama can help you teach these skills! As new teachers, let us all try these new techniques in our classrooms. Let us teach empathy and acceptance through drama! Society will develop when citizens love and accept each other.

What Theorists Say about Classroom Management?

Teachers always complain that they can’t manage their classes! Students are very active and talkative and they can’t control all these misbehavior to achieve academic goals. Fortunately, researchers have developed ten theories to actually help teachers manage misbehavior. Also, researchers have ways to prevent misbehavior before it even occurs. Lee and Marlene are two researchers who developed the Assertive Discipline approach. In their approach, they said that delivering a positive message while having a climate where students’ needs are met can shift a negative behavior to a positive one. Richard and Allen are other researchers who developed the Discipline with Dignity approach that is meant to prevent misbehavior as well. In this approach, researchers proposed that if a student noticed the impact of school on his life, he will most likely stop the misbehavior. These researchers believe that students misbehave because they want to protect their dignity. Respecting the students’ dignity can help you discipline your class in a better way. Add to that, Rudolph is also a researcher who exclaimed misbehaviors in class. He encourages group work and believes that the misbehaving student doesn’t feel that he belongs to this group. When a student values his society, he will acquire self-discipline which will keep him aware of his actions and can prevent misbehaving. Haim, who is a researcher, recommended the Discipline through Congruent Communication approach to manage misbehavior in a class. This researcher advised teachers to stop criticizing students and focus on actions and not individuals. When they communicate positively with students, they would ignore personal character and focus more on how students feel about situations and themselves. Furthermore, William discovered the Noncoercive Discipline which sheds the light on the teachers’ task. They have to show students the relation between their behavior and the consequence of it. By that, students will \make responsible choices that lead to their personal success. Another approach was developed by Fred Jones who named it the Positive Classroom Discipline. In this approach, non-verbal communication is encouraged. Fred believed that the teachers’ gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact can tell the student a lot which will help them behave well. Moreover, Jacob proposed the Improving Discipline through Lesson Management approach which talks about how detailed instructions and planned lesson have a great impact on the appropriate behavior of the students. These also keep them engaged and focused with what is being explained. Marvin Marshall believed that when a student feels responsible, he will more likely stop this misbehavior, so he planned the Discipline through Raising Responsibility approach. Having students know the consequences of their actions would increase their sense of responsibility. Besides, Fritz and William Wattenberg clarified that the students know things better when they work in groups so they emphasized group work to manage misbehavior. They emphasized the pleasant and unpleasant moments in groups which will guide students’ behavior to positive behavior. Consequently, they will avoid unpleasant experiences in the group. At the end, Skinner developed the Discipline through Shaping Desired Behavior approach which emphasized that positive reinforcement is effective at changing and establishing behavior than punishment. Even though there are many theories and approaches, a teacher can always choose what suits her classroom and each case in it.

First Step: Accomplished.

The past three years were the best! I have met new people that actually became my second family. We shared special moments together, some were good and some were bad. Last year, we all graduated together celebrating all the hard work. I'm thankful for having you all in my life! Hopefully, we will stay together and we graduate together this year!

One Family!

Our forever supporter, and our role model

We thank you for all the hard work

Best friends are always together through good and bad

Thinking is a Blessing for all Humans, and Kids are Humans!

Acquiring first language has been the center of interest for most linguists who developed many theories concerning this acquisition. Skinner, who was a proponent for the behaviorist theory, believed that children acquire language through imitating what they hear in their environment and when they receive positive reinforcement, they would continue to imitate and practice until they form habits. Due to the errors that most linguists perceived in this theory, Chomsky strongly disagreed with the behaviorist’s theory for language acquisition. Chomsky considered language as an innate universal principle that every child has since birth. He gave less attention to the environment that he believed was only the case when people talk to a child and the rest is related to the biological endowment of the child. The developmental theory proponents criticized the innatist’s removal of the environment and they believed that the innatist’s supporters only depend on the final stage and not the developmental stages for language acquisition. It is true that there is an inner system that helps children acquire the language, but the environment has a major role in this acquisition. Piaget, who was a proponent of this theory, believed that when a child interacts with people and objects around him, he will express terms related to his experiences. On the other hand, Vygotsky, who is also a proponent for the developmental theory, believed that language is an inner speech and is expressed during interaction but it is not built from interaction as Piaget said.

 As teachers, it is hard to stand for one theory because they all have some errors. But I personally see the developmental theory Is the most convincing theory because I believe that the environment as well as the child’s brain play a major role in language acquisition. What made me think in this way are the countless examples I see every day while watching my younger relatives acquiring language. Kids discover, relate, and then learn! We can't oversee kids' brains and oblige them to think the way we want. Their experiences, thoughts, and environment highly influence their thinking. If we actually let our students think, they will surprise us! These small "creatures" have incredible brains that most people don't really value. As teachers, we must motivate learners to think, create, and connect.

Why teach History?

When Grade 12 students were asked about their History class, almost everyone said that they don’t need to know about what did others do in the past. (Garneau, n.d.). Students consider History as an irrelevant subject, and many educators believe that History should be eliminated from the curriculum. However, many scholars believe that History has many benefits for students because it helps them develop critical thinking, and develop aspects of problem-solving. In fact, our living rotates around past events that we haven’t created. The language we speak is inherited from the past. All the traditions, religions, and cultures were created in the past. Technology has been invented in past decades. These are all good reasons to believe in the importance of the past to understand the condition of human being. (Corfield, 2008).
 History serves as an example, a warning, and a guide; history helps us avoid the conflicts, and find accurate solutions for current problems. it is a warning for young adults to think critically before falling into unexpected results. Also, it is a guide for pupils to find their culture, family, and society. History reflects an image of critical reasons of our current living, so it is crucial that we know our history and connect it to understand our world. Not only does history influence our present but also it guides our future because understanding history will help us guide our future actions so that we act in the way that is best for humanity. And as Machiavelli said "Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

Choosing a Best Friend!

Marry got back from school desperate and frustrated. She sat on the table quietly and stared out of the window.

Her mother looked at her and said, “Honey, is everything alright?”

Marry looked at her and sighed, “Uh, school is frustrating. The teacher asked us to write an essay about out best friend and I can’t decide which one I like the most. Mia, Sandra, and Ranin are my best friends! I mean I’m close to the three of them and I can’t decide which one is my favorite.” She said.

“Oh, come on! I’m pretty sure that you have a best friend that you like the most.” Her mother said. “Unfortunately no, I’ll never figure this out.” Marry sighed deeply. She put her hands on her head and muttered, “Miss Mariam will be so disappointed tomorrow if I don’t choose who I’m going to talk about.” Her mom hugged her tight and said, “Don’t worry, we will figure this out.” “Oh, oh! I have an idea. Let us compare your three friends and see which one of them is your best friend.”

Marry rolled her eyes and said, “Okay, we can try that.” “Oh come on Marry. Don’t be all sad and gloomy. We will find your best friend! Don’t worry.” Her mother replied. Then, she grabbed a chair and sat next to Marry. “Okay, let us start our work now. I want you to think of Mia, Sandra, and Ranin and tell me with whom you fight the most.” Her mother wondered. Marry thought for a couple of seconds and said, “We all fight over silly stuff but we never let the fight last for more than one night. But Sandra is the most stubborn. She assumes that she is always right and never apologizes. Ranin is the sweetest. She does get angry sometimes but she always apologizes after she calms down.” “What about Mia?” her mother asked. “She is fine. Apparently, she is better than Mia but isn’t as sweet as Ranin.” Marry replied. “Uhuh, so Mia gets a point, and Ranin gets two points. Now think about the days that you go out with them. With whom do you like to spend time the most?” Marry stared at the ceiling for seconds and then said, “Ranin is the funniest. She tells the most hilarious jokes. My stomach gets sore from how much I laugh when she is around. But Mia is the most intelligent one in the group. She has told me several riddles that I still didn’t get. However, I always ask her to tell me more riddles. Sometimes, they are funnier than Ranin’s jokes. When Sandra is around, she tells us the most ridiculous stories. But she doesn’t hang out with us that much because she babysits her brother when her mom is gone. She is the oldest sister.” “Okay, I think we can exclude Sandra now and focus on Mia and Ranin. Which of these two girls do you trust?” Her mother questioned. “Ranin doesn’t have a lot of good friends other than us but she has her older sister who knows everything about her. Umm, I think Mia is more trustful than Ranin. So I will choose Mia for that.” Marry said. “Ahuh, I see. Okay, what about their interests? Are they similar to your interests?” her mother questioned. “Mia loves shopping just like me. But she spends her money on essential things only so I admit that she is wiser than me when it comes to spending money. We both like baggy shirts and ripped pants. Ranin doesn’t like this style. She usually wears her gym outfit all day. She is more into sports and football. She joined the football team at school and the coach said that she is the most talented girl in the team. I’m really proud of her but honestly I’m not into sports at all. I hate it when she calls me to watch football games. I definitely prefer to go shopping with Mia.” Marry said. “Wait a minute. I think we found your best friend!!!!!!” Her mother said excitedly. “It is MIA! I mean it is obvious that you like the three of them but you get along with Mia most of the times.” Marry jumped out of the chair and shouted enthusiastically, “You are right! I do get along with Mia. I’m so happy mommy.” She kissed her mom and said, “I have the most amazing mom in the world. Thank you.” 

Teaching: Between Theory and Practice!

  My first ever teaching practice on a bunch of eight year old kids was tragic. "Tragic is just so  negative. If I want to succeed in my career, I have to be more positive." That's exactly what I'm thinking of now and I bet whoever is reading this right now have the same thoughts but let me tell you my story.
I was so excited to go to an actual class in an actual school, and start my teaching journey. I prepared the lesson enthusiastically and practiced all my words thousand times. I remember I couldn't sleep that night from how excited I was. Soon as I arrived to school the next day, I ran to the playground looking for my students, smiling and welcoming them all. Then, I felt someone pocking me in the back. I turned and saw a mid height, blond lady with huge glasses smiling at me. "You are the new teacher I guess." she asked. I smiled and nodded. "Welcome to our school. How do you find it so far?" she asked. I told her it is my first day here but I'm looking forward to get to know details about it. "It is obvious that you are so excited but watch out. I mean these little angels can be devils in class. If you want to gain their respect and have them disciplined for the rest of the year, you have to be very strict. Now, go sit in the teacher's room and remove the smile." she added. I remember I laughed and nodded but deep I wasn't convinced. I mean I learned for three years how to control a class! I knew I shouldn't be that strict. It is just not what I wanted in my class. I did go to the teacher's room with that teacher on that day but I didn't stay there for longer than three minutes. I went back to class and stood in front of the class's door to greet every student when he/she walks into the class.  As soon as they entered the class, t

Life is Full of Different Adventures!

The new year has begun. I'm sitting in the same class of last semester and I'm seeing the same teachers. I sat there wondering if anything would look different this year. What are the new challenges? Are the courses harder or simpler? Will I meet new friends? I was curious to know what this school year has for me. 
So far, I can say in every corner of your life, there are hidden boxes that you have to look for to see what adventure is ahead of you. The first week of the university was usual. I felt that I know all the information. Everything looked familiar. I went home thinking of quitting school. But as we are advancing in the semester, I'm getting convinced that life is full of adventures! Everywhere you go, you learn new and different things!