I'm going into my first year of teaching and I've decided to use the Love and Logic Methods for discipline.. I don't think (I could be wrong) that anyone in my grade level uses these methods. I'm sure I'm going to be asked about my discipline plan and for some reason I'm nervous about telling them. I feel like I will have to defend my methods. I get the feeling that people think the Love and Logic approach is too touchy-feely. I used the methods while subbing and during a long term assignment... The techniques really work and I can't wait to implement them in my own classroom. I know it's up to me how I run my classroom, but I feel like people are going to think I'm going to crash and burn my first year!! :huh: Has anyone defend the way you run your class???
You don't have to defend yourself. It IS a great program and it works. Since you have experience with it, just tell them so if they ask.
I plan on using this in my room as well regardless if others are using it or not. It works! And you have proof through your LTS that it works!
Our district adopted Love and Logic as our "official" discipline procedures (whatever that means, I'm not finished with my credential yet), so I guess I'll be lucky. I've read the book several times and taken notes so that I really understand it. A few sub jobs I've had so far, I've tried it and it was WONDERFUL! Love and Logic is the focus of our second year of BTSA. I guess I'll be ahead of the game then.
I have used Love and Logic in my classroom for the past 2 years, and like you, am the only one in my school that uses it. I have had really good results using it, and when other teachers ask about my discipline success, I, too, get the skeptical looks when I start gushing about Love/Logic! I've gotten to the point where I just explain that it's designed to get the kids to take responsibility for and solve their own problems, and just leave it at that! I know it works, and obviously if others are asking about what I do, they can tell it works too, so let them be skeptical! Personally, i just let the way my kids act/react to each other and their problems speak for itself! (A bit of validating.....this year my principal came to me to borrow my L/L book, and as a result we're using it as a book study at our primary school next year!)
I recommend getting your hands on the videos and watching them. They are awesome, and condense the book and include some real life scenes. L/L is amazing. I had two students in particular this year who responded to it almost like magic! Just do as stated, tell people you use L/L, which places the responsibility for problem solving on the children and allows you to focus on teaching. Tell them you have used it in the classroom and it works well with your teaching style. Thankfully, we have adopted this school wide.
I just got the book yesterday and I'm loving it so far! I wish I had bought this last year! I too am nervous about defending the system to my parents this year. Will they be accepting of the idea that I don't have consequences laid out??? I hope so, because it sounds like this plan works great!
I have never read this book, although I do believe I've purchased it at some point and that it quite possibly may be sitting in my classroom at the moment. Anyhow, how exactly does it work? As far as defending the way you run your classroom ... it's entirely up to you as to how you do things. I would just be prepared to follow through on every single aspect of the way your classroom runs. I have never had to explain myself to anyone, but when I do talk about how my classroom works (because a teacher asked), I feel that it's important that I am confident in my abilities and that I've been successful at it.
There is a Love and Logic poster called "How I Run My Love and Logic Classroom." It really explains the basics. Tell parents it is an individualized management system.
Here's a link to the poster I think Bonneb was referring to. I like it, but I'm still worried about those parents who want precise rules and consequences laid out for them. Not all parents will be accepting of: If you can't solve the problem, or choose not to, I will do something.... But, I still like the premise of the plan. I agree with the others that said we just need to feel confident with our plan and implement it to the best of our ability. http://www.loveandlogic.com/ecom/pc-198-14-love-logic-poster.aspx
I'm reading through the book and it makes alot of sense. If you have parents or teachers that are skeptical, recommend they check out the book or look up the information online. They might be very impressed. Also, you could send a letter home about your discipline style and let the parents know what you expect of the child when he or she is in the classroom. You don't have to actually state it's the Love/Logic method, but just point out the basics of the program. When people hear the Love/Logic method it might sound confusing, so explaining what is done instead might help
If you have parents that complain about the "I will have to do something" and hate not knowing in advance what that is, just tell them you don't like the idea of always doling out the same consequence for a given action. Every situation is different and circumstances need to be considered before you can do something about the situation. Is it fair to punish a child who consistently does not turn in homework the same way you would a child who almost never has late work? My weakness is that I tell the child I will have to "do something" and then get focused on something else and never get around to coming up with an appropriate consequence. I love L&L, but I'm not always very good at it.
