How to get them to clean their room

Introducing, Anjali, a teacher who asks open-ended questions

For the sake of maintaining confidentiality, I have created Anjali, a composite character based on the many conversations I have had with teachers, to carry the story below.

In this edition, I would like to introduce you to another teacher, Anjali Paterson. She works at a Primary School with pupils who are 10 and 11 years old.

You can read Anjali's story here.

Teacher Interview

The interview comes in three parts. The Preparation and Action Steps were done on the same day. The Follow Up was done later. The questions are written in bold and Anjali's replies are in italics.

Preparation

What’s your current situation?

I have been teaching for four years and I am struggling to make sense of why the pupils have to make a mess of the classroom. It doesn’t matter what I say to them, they don’t see it as their job to tidy up. They see it as mine. After Art lessons I can spend an hour getting the place sorted ready for the next lesson. I wonder what it’s like in their homes? Do their parents do all the tidying?

How do you feel about it??

Frustrated and mildly insulted. And that’s not a good face to have on when they come for lessons.

What would you rather see??

I want them to take responsibility for their classroom.

How would you feel about that?

It would feel great. And I will have prepared them to take care of their own workplace, home or whatever. It’s all about taking responsibility.

Action Steps

One thing to develop during the next two-four weeks.

When I read the article about the teacher sitting down with the pupils after a paper and glue lesson [you can read it here] I thought she was going to say the kind of things I would say. She didn’t. And that had an amazing effect on the pupils. The article said they reacted like adults, and I though “This I have to see”.

This is important because

I am getting to the end of the clearing up I am willing to do for them.?

Strategy

I will speak to them at the end of the next lesson, not an Art lesson because that’s almost guaranteed to be a washout.?

Action Plan

I will calm myself down, ignoring any mess, and ask those open-ended questions.

Follow Up

Results

OK. This was better. They were not like adults, yet. I was asking without accusing them of anything, so it worked. They were not happy with the mess either, but they really, really thought it was my job. I assured them it was not. There was a pause after I said that. We agreed that they will start to clean up ten minutes before the end of any lesson. I have a sneaking suspicion that’s a way out of doing classwork, but it is a step forward. We will start with that.

Supporters

Two of the pupils who had trouble working all the lessons were the first to volunteer.?

We are going to set up a rota so that everyone who wants to can have a turn at clearing up. I will not be putting my name on the list!

Observations

The two first volunteer cleaners spent the time walking around talking with their classmates. Not good, but they did drag a broom with them and piled the mess in one corner.

Feedback

I did another round of questions later in the week and they brought up the question of whose responsibility it is to clean up at school and at home. Very interesting discussion.

Reflection?

I wonder if this ‘clean your own room’ strategy would be of interest to their parents?

Conclusions

I am going to include this in the next letter I write home to their parents, congratulating every pupil on making great progress on the Clean Your Room lesson.

If you are looking for even more coaching ideas and activities to bring the benefits of coaching to your classroom, they are available online here and in paperback here.

INTERESTED: Speak with Martin about the 12 Steps, or other coaching questions, book your personal meeting here.

EDUCATORS: Become certified as an Empowerment Coach in the classroom or school, check out the nonprofit i.b.mee.

COACHES: Provide pro-bono coaching to educators as a part of a coaching in the classroom certification, join a Rountable here.

Please share this newsletter

Thank you for reading this newsletter. There are millions more teachers who need to hear that they can use coaching in their classrooms. Please share this with your network. You could be the one who makes a difference to hundreds of students' lives.