WHO IS ALFIE KOHN?  An American author, lecturer, and former teacher.  He explores, writes, and speaks out on a number of topics that deal with education, parenting, and human behavior.  Has written about a dozen (12) books  Considered a leading figure in progressive education.  A critic on several of the traditional aspects of  Parenting  Managing  American Society

…CONTINUED  A controversial figure, particularly among the behaviorists, the conservatives, and everyone else who defends the specific practices he calls into question. Specific Practices in Question  Competition  Incentive Programs  Conventional Discipline  Standardized Testing  Grades  Homework  Traditional Schooling

…CONTINUED  According to Kohn, there is a difference between “working with” and “doing to” classes.  “Doing to” classes include “compliance, punishment and rewards, grading and reliance on marks or test results.”  “Working with” classes include “active participation, high interest, discovery, and love of learning.”

 The focus needs to shift from student achievement to student learning.  Teachers should allow their students to make their own choices; the students cannot learn how to make their own choices if they are always being told what to do.  Tougher standards don’t equal better students. The tougher standards only add unnecessary pressure and they don’t consider the individual characteristics of the students.  Punishments and rewards only offer temporary changes in the students behavior. They never help the students to develop a commitment to positive values.  Too much praise from the teacher to the students can create "praise junkies."

DO’S  DO: Be a facilitator  DO: Provide an engaging and fun curriculum that the students will enjoy  DO: Give the students ownership when it comes to decision making, roles, and responsibilities  DO: Teach unconditionally  DO: Look at the students separate from their behavior  DO: Put an end to all rewards, punishments, and congratulatory remarks, such as "good job“ and “excellent  DO: Create an unconditional and caring community (class meetings)  DO: Design the classroom as a comfortable and safe place DON’TS  DON’T: Be a dictator or an instructor  DON’T: Provide a (boring) curriculum that only you as a teacher are excited about  DON’T: Create an environment of power and control  DON’T: Teach conditionally  DON’T: Combine the students and their behavior as one  DON’T: Give out rewards to the students when they perform or behave nicely  Don’t: Punish the students when they misbehave  DON’T: Say congratulatory remarks to the students.

THE STUDENTS SHOULD…  be able to make their own decisions  have choice and control over learning  have some say about what they are doing  choose which questions they want to explore  learn and apply learning THE STUDENTS ARE…  responsible for their own behavior and are  capable of controlling their own behavior

PROS Empowerment  The students learn how to make their own choices. Encouragement  The students are encouraged to think on a higher level. Optimism  Optimism paints a pretty picture of learning and classroom interaction. CONS What Is The Standard Model?  There is no standard model for us to follow. There are no clear and specific steps to achieve this ideal. What Is Right?  Kohn’s Model tells you what is wrong with the standards and the norms, but we are left wondering what is right. Every Student Is NOT The Same!!!  According to Kohn’s Model, every student in the classroom will respond positively to his ideas.

 Community- By community Kohn means… “A place in which students feel cared about and are encouraged to care about each other. They experience a sense of value and being respected; the children matter to one another and to the teacher. They have come to think in a plural: they feel connected to each other; they are part of an ‘us.’ And as a result of this, they feel safe in their classes, not only physically, but emotionally.” --Democracy

 Class Meetings- According to Kohn, class meetings usually involve sharing, deciding, planning, and reflecting.  “(1) Sharing: Students decide whether they want to speak or not.  (2) Deciding: Students decide on matters that affect the class such as procedures and furniture arrangement.  (3) Planning: Planning should be done for fieldtrips, raising money, etc…  (4) Reflecting: A good place to think about progress, what has been learned, what might have worked better, and what changes might help the class. “

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