11 weeks of school left and no discipline

[benpat]

I teach first grade for a fairly large school district. I have twenty-four students in my classroom. We have a procedure of everything we do in my classroom. My students can tell you forwards and backwards what each precedure, rule and the consequences for their every action. I send home daily conduct folders. I make phone calls many times a day. Students that are sent to the office come back, having conferenced with the administrater laughing that nothing was done. Grades are low. Moral is low. I am one of five other teachers in the same boat. May seems like forever away. Any helpful ideas?

[sandra hoffman]

FIRST GRADERS!!!!!!I take my hat off to you. They have always scared me to death. I would rather take on a middle schooler or high schooler, than a first grader. In May, I will finish my 29 year of teaching. I have always assumed I was alone on this boat. I never counted on anyone to handled my discipline problems but me. The respect or disrespect starts in the classroom. The teacher is in control. Pick up the phone. The children have parents.. Demand for conferences. I always liked surprise home visits ( yes, I have done this). When the students begin the get the picture that you are no longer playing their game, things will change. I commend you for the rules, stick to them. Children need them and want them. I use my cell phone if matters become necessary and call home right then and there and let the student explain everything to Mom or Dad (at work) in front of his peers. May next time one of your sweet little darlings want to act out, they will remember that.

May is just around the corner. Hang in there ! Put your cell phone on your desk and start tomorrow. Sandy Hoffman,
Chapin High School, El Paso, Texas

[Unregistered]

My cell phone bill is unbelievable. Cingular loves me. My parents and I are on a first name basis. I call a least five parents a day. I have at least one parent conference a day. Most of my students are on daily if not hourly conduct sheets. My class consist of 7 girls and 17 boys. 6 of my students are retainees. One child was moved into my classroom because she had started climbing onto the top of her desk and jumping off. At least three parents will tell me how hateful their child is at home. One parent is at the point she wants to home school. I not only call the parents but make them come sit with their child. 56 more days until the end of school. Spring break is only seven days away. I do have six students that keep me coming back. I look at them and remember each day why I get up and come to work. And one day they all will look back and say that horribly mean teacher was trying her best to teach me to read. Or at least I hope they do.

[tristan]

what should i do 1 week left of school , i have not done any dislpinle

[feltsmart]

That's great that you have a routine and that everyone knows what it is...however, there has to be a routine for discipline that you, the children, the parents and in the very least the administrators..best case would be all the teachers in the building...buy into. We did a wonderful book study at our school with the book: Setting Limits in the Classrooom, how to move beyone the dance of discipline in today's classrooms. By: Robert J MacKenzie, ED.D. I would highly suggest this book. What I notice myself doing is giving kids a chance and using feelings instead of discipline. Oh, I teach all day Kindergarten. Not too far off from your grade. Another suggestion that has really helped me is to always carry a clipboard! I have my behavior plan on there and the class list for one week (M-F) The children know that they get a warning, then a mark. If they have three or more marks they do not get a ticket at the end of the day. this has been the easiest way for me to communicate with parents on a daily basis. The parents know to ask if they got a ticket...I also tell parents that they may wish to set up a reward system for tickets earned and to create a special container for these tickets. There are other consequences as well...too many to lilst here. the most important this is to point out the children that are doing things correctly and if you say something is going to happen...make sure that it does. I love to use a buddy teacher as well. When children come to my room they have time to thnk...but, they have to work (sometimes with my class so they are involved in learning sometimes, they have to clean...something to keep them busy!!!) and when an appropriate amount of time has passed and I have time to talk with them, I discuss why them had to come to me. I do the same thing with kids in my class. My administrator knows that if I send a kid to him that the child has already; gotten marks, sit out and re-joined, sent out of room to another room and called home. He knows what I do for behavior an is able to back me up! We also use a office referall form that is quick to fill out and lets him know specifically why the child is visiting him! Hope this helps...

[Unregistered]

what should i do 1 week left of school , i have not done any dislpinle


I week left of school doesn't seem much time to start something new now. Take some courses this summer and start your classroom management plan on day 1.

[Unregistered]

I teach first grade for a fairly large school district. I have twenty-four students in my classroom. We have a procedure of everything we do in my classroom. My students can tell you forwards and backwards what each precedure, rule and the consequences for their every action. I send home daily conduct folders. I make phone calls many times a day. Students that are sent to the office come back, having conferenced with the administrater laughing that nothing was done. Grades are low. Moral is low. I am one of five other teachers in the same boat. May seems like forever away. Any helpful ideas?
Man i feel sorry for you!!

[Unregistered]

I think you people have the wrong approch. Being autocratic to students causes
a hate of school that will last a long time. It also kills "moral". The best strategy is to treat students fairly and to avoid getting angry and using fear tactics.

[Unregistered]

Well, I sure wouldn't want to hurt anyone's morals.