A very destructive force in the classroom is the level of noise and movement which is substantially reduced when silent sitting is practised, so it also helps with discipline problems. Once the practice is more established, every lesson could start and close with a minute of silence so that the children s behaviour becomes more peaceful. Time and effort taken to practice and establish this exercise is well repaid by the children s heightened concentration and attention for lessons and in their behaviour generally. Most people enjoy being told a story. It is a very old and effective method of teaching how to behave.
Stories often parallel life and suggest ways of dealing with situations.
But the teacher should not simply read out the story. It is important for them to familiarise themselves with it and truly tell the story to make it come alive. There are numerous stories set out in the Teaching Workbooks - using traditional stories, fables and those based on actual events, where the teacher is able to draw out human values. All the stories have questions after them which are used to ensure the children absorb and understand the value that has been described. Teachers can obviously add to this list as appropriate as children answer.