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What do the comics below have in common?
What do the comics below have in common?
Mrs. Wormwood is too reliant on a Controlling-Instruction Pattern
Mrs. Wormwood is too reliant on a Controlling-Instruction Pattern
- This type of instruction relies heavily on the teacher's ability to extrinsically motivate students, and it does not seem to work on Calvin
- Finding loopholes and ways to circumnavigate Mrs. Wormwood's teaching makes up most of what Calvin does at school
- In this comic, Calvin brings about his fairly interesting perspective on the lesson, and although it is quite out there, she makes him wear a dunce cap and sit in the corner
- This type of punishment within the classroom is not legal anymore, and that is because the practice undermine's a student's character/self-esteem, as they are meant to be embarrassed
- This comic represents what a controlling teaching method can lead to
- Teachers aren't allowed to give medication, but Mrs. Wormwood and Calvin's mom are in agreement for needing to have him work on assignments by any means necessary
- This is what can happen, as his childhood is stripped away from him; he is only 6 years old.
What's the advice then?
What's the advice then?
Here are a couple of pieces of advice for the presumably 1st Grade Teacher
Here are a couple of pieces of advice for the presumably 1st Grade Teacher
- First of all, I believe that it would be imperative to stop the controlling teaching methods at once, as Calvin is not benefiting from them no matter how constant or harsh the methods are.
- Dunce-caps and yelling at Calvin to hopefully grab his attention only serves to undermine his relationship with Mrs. Wormwood
- Singling him out when passing back tests and homework will only work towards Calvin's resentment of Mrs. Wormwood and/or fostering negative coping strategies
- Next, I would have Mrs. Wormwood incorporate better autonomous teaching styles and get Calvin interested in the class
- He is interested in dinosaurs, and I believe that getting him to enjoy other subjects as much as he does dinosaurs would be extremely beneficial to his learning experience and how he treats Mrs. Wormwood
- Allowing students some choice in subjects/assignments, such as what to research or how to present the information learned will prove beneficial; as any kid appreciates having choices, especially when it is something that they have to do
- Organizing activities and homework that is interested yet educational and allowing for some fun that follows along with instruction of a certain subject will prove much better at capturing Calvin's and the rest of the class' attention
- In turn, this will allow for intrinsic motivation to start, as a student must be attentive towards a subject in order to start the process
- Calvin always seem to be questioning the material, so another tip towards an autonomous classroom would be Mrs. Wormwood making sure to explain subjects thoroughly while having explanations geared towards 1st graders
- Allowing students to give feedback is also a good idea, especially when they are listened to and not just sent to the principle's office
- He is interested in dinosaurs, and I believe that getting him to enjoy other subjects as much as he does dinosaurs would be extremely beneficial to his learning experience and how he treats Mrs. Wormwood
- Finally, I would have Mrs. Wormwood take some time off to review and change her teaching style
- This would also allow for positive coping methods like family time and relaxation, which is something that she definitely needs when teaching young students
- Her previous coping methods, such as rumors of her smoking 2 packs a day and actually drinking Maalox in front of her students aren't professional nor positive in the long run
- Prior to her taking time off, she could research autonomous teaching methods and have someone come in and observe her classroom
- The observer could give her notes and comments on her teaching method, and she could use them to better compare herself to Autonomous Teaching
- This would also allow for positive coping methods like family time and relaxation, which is something that she definitely needs when teaching young students
I would hope that the advice is taken somewhat to heart, and allows for Mrs. Wormwood to reconnect with both her teaching style and her students. If Calvin is to maintain his imagination and genius-level intellect, he cannot be burdened further with bad classroom relationships between Mrs. Wormwood and fellow students. This can be said for all students, as students only learn from those they enjoy or respect; and until Mrs. Wormwood can find her inner autonomous teaching style, Calvin may ultimately lose what he is gifted with to better conform with the Controlling teaching style.
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