My inquiry question: How can teachers build confidence in students with behavior challenges?

Sub questions: Does a predictable classroom structure support it? Does this foster a strong sense of classroom community?

My expectations to what this teaching style would look like involve the teacher setting up a very static and organized system where daily routines seldom change. The thinking behind this is that it would help create a space where students feel safe and secure.

The article I found to challenge this idea: Kohn, Alfie. “Choices for Children: How and Why to Let Children Decide.” Phi Delta Keppan, 1993.

Gist of the article: this article encourages educators to allow their students to be active participants in conducting the rules and regulations that govern their classroom. The author argues that by involving the students in this process, it will help them become better learners.

This matters to me because this could be an effective way of empowering students and effectively develop confidence in the classroom. It is important to look at alternative ways to reach

students, because they are all so different.

My inquiry question seeks out strategies to strengthen the mental attitudes of early childhood students with behavioral challenges. The author of this article takes a different approach than mine; however, we both have the same objective for the students.

This article has provided new insight into my inquiry research that I will now take with me as I dive deeper into my investigation. I am still seeking and asking questions at this point.

Here is a link to the article I chose:

http://www.alfiekohn.org/article/choices-children/?print=pdf