Throwing the plan out the window

Despite the copious amounts of rugby to be watched over the weekend I was able to prepare today's lessons well in advance. Only one problem...arriving this morning I was informed of a small miscalculation in the rota system with regards to the first year students...we dont have the next 2 weeks to teach the remainder of the map skills...we have 2 lessons. No real panic to be honest but it did allow another two lessons to be taught off the top of my head...something which I really enjoy doing.

The point of focus for today's lessons was the use of non-verbal communication. I am only too aware that I am a happy smiley person....however I have also realised that rather than see this as a weakness with regards to behaviour I can harness it as another tool. To have a happy smiley person turn sullen and stare at you can stop even the most defiant pupil. This was my approach to today...and it worked really well. Waiting 10-20 seconds for silence really focussed the behaviour of all the pupils.