Considerations For Coloroso’s Model of Classroom Management Dr. John F. vonEschenbach State University of West Georgia

Considerations For Coloroso’s Model  The main theses:  Children need to learn how to think, not what to think;  Children need to be empowered to make decisions for themselves;  Children need to experience the consequences of their choices; and  Children need to have a plan for handling their problems.

Considerations For Coloroso’s Model  Teachers and parents can intervene in children’s decisions when they are LIFE and MORALLY THREATENING.  Teachers and parents need to buffer children from suicide, drug abuse, and sexual promiscuity.  Two main philosophical tenets are:  Kids are worth it; and  Don’t treat children in ways that you don’t want to be treated.

Considerations For Coloroso’s Model  The three classroom management schools:  Brickwall School-heavy on rules, emphasis on what to think, and dictatorship;  Jellyfish School-open concept, anything goes, and preferential treat of kids;  Backbone School:  Three questions for children’s decision-making: Where am I? Where am I going? How do I need to get there?  Three self-beliefs for children: I like myself, I can think for myself; There is no problem that I cannot solve.

Considerations For Coloroso’s Model  Backbone School (continued):  Teach with assertiveness-recognize your own rights, needs, and wants as well as, recognize the children’s rights, needs, and wants.  Recognize the three con games of begging, aggression, and obstinacy.  Teach with enthusiasm and dress professionally.  Once in a while, you can make an exception or bend the rule.  Make the decisions: age appropriate, more comfortable to choose, and more uncomfortable not to choose.