I read an article, How to Keep Kids Engaged in Class on the edutopia website. It gave 10 suggestions. A couple of those suggestions I already implement such as picking popsicle sticks with their names on it from a cup (the fairness cup). I always say that I'm going to let God choose since I teach in a Catholic School. This is especially effective when I don't have enough questions for everyone to answer. I notice that the students don't seem as disappointed when I pick from the cup. To get my students' attentions, I state "Give me three" which means to STOP, LOOK, AND LISTEN. This has worked very well for me. I don't raise my voice, I just state it. If the class has become noisy, such as inside recess, I either ring my bell on my desk or I clap three times. I also once observed a teacher who did a "tone check." When the class was noisy, she would say "tone check" at the same level, and they'd repeat it. Then she'd lower her voice and say it again and they'd lower theirs to copy. She'd continue until she brought them back down to where she expected them to be. I think I may try that when we go back to school tomorrow.
I also read a blog about the 10 most ineffective things and the #1 was inconsistency. I know that is my number one problem. I use the green, yellow, red light system and what usually happens is that I end up reminding them of the rules over and over again until I "get tired of it" and then move them to yellow. They end up having several warnings instead of just one. I think this is probably my number one reason why misbehavior continues to happen. I do this with my own children as well and wonder why they don't listen to me!! Why do I feel like the bad guy when I have to punish them for their misbehaviors??????
I watched all four of the videos and there were a couple I really liked. I like the sign language one. We are doing Everybody Counts this year which is a program about people with disabilities. Each grade focuses on a different disability and my grade (second) has hearing disabilities. It would be so awesome to incorporate some sign language as classroom management. I had never thought of that. I also like the handshake question and answer because of the one-to-one. I think I need to do more of that with my students because so many articles say that having rapport is the best way to overcome discipline problems. Harry Wong (First Days of School) also says to stand at the door and greet the students. I think I need to do this more often if not every day. If you haven't read Dr. Wong's book or watched the videos (they will have them at the steely library once I return them!) you need to!!
As far as my inquiry plan, I'm still not quite sure where to put my energy. Maybe improving consistency. Keeping voice level down, especially while in groups, is something my principal wants me to focus on and is paying particular attention to in my classroom. Feel free to share your thoughts when you read my blog about what you think I should do. Sometimes I feel like I'm too close to the forest to see through the trees.
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Karen,
ReplyDeleteI have used something like the fairness cup before. Each student has a number and I have popsicle sticks with their numbers on them. (that way I don't have to make new ones each year!) In a way, it does work. I make sure that when I draw one out, I but it right back in. That way, all students are on their toes and paying attention because their number could be drawn at any time, even if it already has. But as you mentioned, you run into the times when you don't have many questions or for whatever reason, the same person keeps getting drawn out. I hear what you're saying about inconsistency. I find myself doing the same thing at times. I feel bad for punishing them so I will keep reminding them of the rules over and over again or threaten to write in their agenda or take some recess away but don't do it as much as I should.
Hey Karen,
ReplyDeleteWhen I have to punish my students I don't feel bad because this is how individuals learn. We learn from our mistakes and young students will always push the boundaries. Keep believing in what your teaching and hold strong to your rules and your students will follow your lead.
I think you should pick one thing and zero in on it. Perhaps you could tape record a couple of lessons to monitor your voice level. Perhaps you could talk about voice level with your kids and together you can monitor each other's voice level (you could do some hand signs to gauge these levels- and periodically during the day you and the kids can check each others' level)- just some ideas to start you thinking and also start getting some concrete idea about an inquiry plan.
ReplyDeleteWhen I met with the behavior specialist that I am working with, she also suggested popsicle sticks. Another way she suggested using them was for classroom jobs. I am currently implementing this into my classroom. I have a stick for center baskets, table cleaner, folder collector, pencil collector, floor cleaner, book collector, etc. When using the job sticks, she also suggested having a stick labeled substitute in case someone is absent.
ReplyDeleteAs far as the voice level, I have started whispering. Funny thing is, I get their attention quicker by whispering than I ever have by raising my voice. Just a thought.
Karen, I have found that students really enjoy the systems that are used in the classroom. They like knowing what to expect when they complete a task. It sounds like you have a lot of good things happening in your classroom!
ReplyDeleteI feel the same way when I handle misbehavior, but I find that students want/need clear expectations and consistent follow-through. We follow through with discipline because it helps our students know how to interact positively. I have also done whispering with a loud class. They quiet down very quickly.