Stand & Scan (2016)

When students are working at their desks, how does the teacher SILENTLY quiet the room? If you can identify with this query, then “Stand & Scan” is what you are looking for. This concept is called Mini MITS in Michael Grinder’s most popular book for teachers, ENVoY: Your Personal Guide to Classroom Management. We recommend that you study this concept along with MITS (Most Important Twenty Seconds) 

Script Writer: Jonathan (Ike) Isenhower
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Script Editor: Mary Yenik

Video Illustrator and Producer: Scout Wingate
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Voiceover: Scout Wingate

Video Director: Mary Yenik 

TRANSCRIPT: Miss Anderson, the new teacher in room, has a problem: her class can not—or WILL not-- study quietly together. Here’s part of a typical day in her class:

She gives a lesson. Then Miss Anderson goes around the room to help students who are struggling with the assignment.  Meanwhile, some of the other kids are passing notes, playing with their phones, gossiping. Not much learning is going on.   

A boy the back row begins bothering the few students who are trying to work.  Miss Anderson yells across the room: “Marcus, stop that! Get to work!” She glares at him for a few seconds, and then goes back to individual teaching.

Moments later, another child disrupts the class by chewing bubble gum. Miss Anderson corrects him loudly.  “Put that gum in the trash. Now!”

Seconds after that, another student disturbs the class with her fidgety feet. Tapping, stomping – nonstop. Miss Anderson is ready to scream.

This downward spiral will continue for the whole period.

That afternoon, her mentor asks Miss Anderson “How often do you stand up--perfectly still--and scan your class?”

“All the time!”

“Really? Not by the sound of it! You never scan your class, so you spend all your time in police mode! Here’s what I want you to do during your kids’ seatwork tomorrow:

1. Calmly stand up tall every few minutes—well, every two or three minutes, at first-- and silently scan every corner of the room.   

2. Slowly and smoothly turn to face every student in the room.

3. Do this regularly!  Before small issues become big ones."   Remember, every two or three minutes.

Okay, I’ll try it…

The next day, Miss Anderson’s students see a change in their teacher. She still helps kids during seatwork, but every couple of minutes she stands tall and still, and she carefully scans the entire class. Serenely, deliberately, she looks at every student’s desk. Without her saying a word, kids get it: “She cares about me.”  “She is interested in me learning.” “And oh boy, she is aware of everything. She doesn’t miss a thing!”

Over time, Miss Anderson’s restless class settles down.  Their teacher keeps such a close and caring eye on them … kids find it easier to focus on their work.  

Miss Anderson told her mentor just last week, “It’s more peaceful these days.  Maybe because my kids can now count on me to NOTICE and take care of small problems before they turn into big problems.

“It took me a while to get into the Stand and Scan habit, but I have to admit, it’s worth it. Come by Room 301 and see for yourself!”