Lesson Plans and Class Controll

[Unregistered]

Hello, I am a new teacher at Lyons Academy and I need help! I teach 6th grade and I cant controll any of them! Also, I cant come up with any good ideas for lessons and teaching! Please help me AND GIVE ME IDEAS! Thank you!
David Bruscoff

[hedwig]

I am a teacher myself .Sometimes you have bad spots and good spots.Please try to get to know the students better and teach in a language they understand.Make them understand the value of the subject you are teaching.
And make them interested in their subject.Also you need to make it clear to them that you mean business that you are serious about finishing the lesson you are going to teach.Try to gain their respect but for all these things you need time .Whatever you do please don't quit

[Jack Furr]

Same as title, what subject do you teach? Also, don't re-invent the wheel, and don't be afraid to tap your peers. NO TEACHER who is worth their salt is going to deny helping you. If they do they should be defrocked (sic).
:D

[Unregistered]

If you do nothing else read Ron Clark's The Essential 55, Wong's 1st days of school, and Fred Jones's Tools for Teaching.
More than anything I gave myself an edge by learning how to tie balloons which every child gets on their birthday, and learned magic to incorporate in math and science and I travel to everywhere I teach in the curriculum as it becomes soooooooooooooo real for the students.
I also took up clowning at age 45 and the students love the corny jokes, the props, etc.

[Unregistered]

I have found that if I make students "pay back" my wasted time, I get quick cooperation, particularly from middle schoolers. They hate being late for lunch or dismissal. If your school allows this, I recommend it. Soon, all you will have to do is look at your watch or the clock, and the students will be silent very quickly.

[Unregistered]

Hi there,
I always remeber this piece of advice, "always follow through with your threats!" That means if you say you are going to keep kids in at lunch time make sure you do it, if you threaten to phone parents or send kids to the principal, do it. The kids will realise you mean what you say and in the end will respect you for it. It also applies to rewards, offer a class reward you know the kids will want (free time, popcorn, pizza) and follow through when they have done as you expect.

[Unregistered]

Hello there, I also teacher grade 6, and it is a class of all boys. As a woman who is not much taller than them, it's been tough, but lately I have found that menial tasks as consequences help....especially extra math sheets, and spelling work. Easy stuff that they know but takes a long time, like definition work from the dictionary and using words in context. I give them a page of 30 or so and they have to stay in everyday till the worksheet is done.

[Unregistered]

Although I am an older new teacher, classroom management takes work no matter how old you are. I teach 7th grade, and have mostly boys this year. To get them under control, I started a new management plan, that works WONDERFUL! I will continue to keep using it until I have found something better. I call it my "TIP" (Team Improvement Plan). The plan works because peers are encouraging other peers to do what they are supposed to do. I teach science, and the students are in groups of 4. When the group, on their own accord, does what they are supposed to do each day, they can earn checks on their TIP chart. At the end of each marking period, the group in each class with the most checks, earns a pizza party. Of course, the reward can be anything you would like. Students can earn checks for things such as......getting homework out, ready to be checked, immediately upon entering class without a reminder to do so, pushing in their chairs and picking up all garbage at the end of class, working cooperatively in their group, everyone working independently quietly and professionally in their group. You, of course, can set your own rules for what earns a check on your TIP chart. In the 5 years I have been teaching, however, this is the most manageable my classes have ever been. GOOD LUCK and don't give up!

[Lester]

I teach 7th grade and I have found out that if you tailor your lessons to what is important to them, it is much more fun. For instance, to help teach geography of a country I have them make a plant of their choosing. They have to use the resources, transportation, communication, language, culture, etc, that is available. As they work on the project, I have one rule. For everytime that I have to say "sh" "get to work" "stay on task", it adds time at the end of the hour. Also, for those students, they loose the extra points that I give on each project. The class enjoys keeping track of the "sh" and it works very well for me. Also, never give up.

[Unregistered]

I've found weekly reports to be of great advantage. I make one on the computer at home where the first section asks whether all homework was done, indicate yes or no. You can include yes and no on your template and just circle it on each report.

The second part asks whether all classwork was completed, indicate yes or no.

The final part is for comments re: behavior.

Copy reports prior to sending them home, or keep a record of their content on computer. Remember to include the dates for each reported week on the report, i.e.; March 7 - 11, 2005.

I use the weekend to complete the reports and send them home as part of the h.w. on Monday afternoon. If it is not returned with parent signature, it is considered a h.w. that was not turned in and parents are contacted right away.

Ask parents to reward their students for good reports with family time, such as an afternoon in the park, a picnic, board games or outdoor games together, etc.

Good luck!

[Unregistered]

Hi there Mr. Bruscoff,

The 6th grade year is tough. The students have budding hormones and they are becoming more independent. I would suggest to offer choice time of Friday as a reward (music, sodapop, popcorn, movie etc). Math and Social Studies seem to be the worst subjects for this group of students. The students may need real world experiences relating these subjects to school work. Also cooperative grouping seemed to work really well. They are in a group with other students who may have the same abilities as they do. Also this provides some time away from too much "teacher talk". Best wishes

[HappyTeacher]

Hey there......no child likes test let alone a pop quiz.....i know i hated them when i was in school....so when teh goin gets tough i dish 'em out...it works every time/....sometimes i get out the tests and "pretend" to hand them out and when i have everyones attention i continue with my lessons!!!!!!!!


Best of luck!!!
~~~~Teacher~~~~

[Unregistered]

Dear Weekly report teacher,

I love that idea, what a great way to keep everyone on track and happy.

Any chance of having a look at one of your proformas?

Annelies [South Australia]

[Unregistered]

I learned this "trick" from my stepdaughter who also teaches middle school. She has a phone in her room, I use my cell phone, if a student acts up, forgets their work etc., have them call their parents right there in class. Once a few of them have been embarassed, then the others get in line. Also, if you use your cellphone, or let the kids use it to call parents, then claim it on your taxes as part of your job (for the 9 months you are in school).

[Unregistered]

Go to www.fredjones.com get his old books (both of them-Positive Discipline and Positive Instruction) if you can, but the new one is almost as good also. The best advice for discipline around. Check out his videos if you can't take the course.

[Unregistered]

6th grade is one of the toughest. They think they're grown but they're still babies. Anyway, you've already figured that out.

My best suggestion is to keep your word. Along with that don't make silly threats you can't follow through on. If you say, "If you don't bring your book to class I'm going to call your parents," and they don't bring the book, then do it, call parents. Don't threaten a referral for something you know the administration won't support. But you probably CAN give them after school detention (with parental notification prior) that, if they skip, CAN result in a referral. You have to make believers out of them, but usually they will fall into line once they understand that the rules really are the rules. Good luck!

[Unregistered]

I found that seat work at the start of everyday or every class (journal writing, vocabulary, etc) settled the kids down so that they became teachable. It also gave me time to do the attendance and other admisnistrivia.

I also make a practice of calling home with good news when I find it! sometimes I will call on the spot!

[Unregistered]

As a first year teacher last year, I taught alternative school students grades 6-12 every day. Discipline was a HUGE issue. I learned early to always be firm and follow through with my words. I have found that rewarding positive behaviors through treats, free homework passes, and bonus points is a big plus. Also, making phone calls home every day for about two weeks was very effective. I made sure to sprinkle in good phone calls with the bad--word got around quickly that I was also making positive calls. Finally, be sure to give respect to the kids. I see alot of my fellow teachers struggling in their rooms because they can't relate to the kids. Sometimes you have to break your own rules (like using the restroom pass). Most of all, I have found that, if I put the responsibility back on the kids, they respond better and have little opportunity to complain. The threat of tons of grammar homework is also an effective classroom management tool! Lastly, if you have a chance, attend some of their extra-curricular activities and root for them. They will see you genuinely care about them, and they will make the effort to behave. I currently teach at an F school and my students are all Level 1 readers. I teach 3/4 of the athletes, and many of them have behavior problems. The first month was sometimes a struggle, but I followed my advice and everything worked out. I saw a massive improvement in behavior and attitude once I regularly attended their events. Now, I am confident my students would do anything I requested. The best part? They are learning and showing MAJOR gains in all areas!

[dolphinsdive]

I agree with the threats, never make threats that you can not follow through. Consequences should always make sense for choices and be carried out.
You have to be tough. Students tend to find weaknesses and then play on those. If they see others getting away with misbehaviors, bad choices, etc., then they are going to test your limits. Once they begin testing limits, it is difficult to get a handle on things. You have to take charge now.
My students enjoy doing hands on activities, group projects, discussions, but if they are behavior doesn't allow these type sof learning experiences, I make sure they are busy constantly. (Meaningful, but nothing fun) I let them know there are many options in the way I can teach and their behavior determines my style.
Assigned seating, boy, girl, or alphabetic order. Seating in rows speard apart. Line up in order.
Anything that is would be considered a privellege, take it away until their behavior is acceptable.

[Unregistered]

The biggest mistake most teachers make in classroom discipline, in my opinion, is to let many small infractions go and then allow frustration to turn you into a yeller, which shows you are out of control. Come up with some minor disciplines--writing spelling list one time, copying a paragraph out of the history book, etc.--and give them out quickly and quietly for each small infraction rather than giving a warning. Example: the bell rings and then someone talks. You say, "I'm sorry, so-and-so, but the bell has rung and you should not be talking. Please write me your spelling list one time." If he objects respectfully, just kindly repeat the discipline. If he objects disrespectfully, kindly but firmly say, "I'm sorry, but now the discipline is doubled." Usually this will put an end to it, and others will not want to commit a small infraaction. But if he does not respond, send him out before it causes a disruption. Do the same kind of thing for each small infraction, and the students will not want to do anything bigger. You will not be frustrated, either. Also, have something on the board that they can start as soon as they come it so they will be immediately busy, and give it a reasonable limit. Reward those who comply and/or discpline those who do not with a small discipline--5 minutes off recess, etc.

[Dianne Clements]

I am a 6th, 7th, and 8th grade computer teacher. On the first day, my classroom rules are stated and posted. I have placed wax clips on the top right corner each computer. Our first assignment is to make name tags. I laminate them and keep them in the classroom. Each hour’s name tags are printed on a different color of paper that I get free from the copy room by asking for the recycled paper and print on the backside of it. (Example: 2nd hour--yellow, 3rd hour—pink, etc.) First student that comes in the room gets them out of the box and puts them on the table. Students pick them up from the table when they come in and put them in a basket by the door when they leave. I can easily take attendance and learn all of their names this way. It is also very useful when I have a substitute. I have cut yellow (triangle) yield and red (octagonal) stop signs out of tag board with the words stop and caution written on them and laminated them. When a student chooses to break a rule they are told to go get a sign from a seperate magnetic box hanging on the cabinet and place it on the wax clip behind their name tag on the computer. The steps for discipline are posted above the magnetic box. Yellow is the 1st warning, red is the second stronger warning and then it's a detention. I keep track of the warnings on my roll sheet or in the grade book with a yellow highlighter and red pencil by their name for that day any time during the hour when I get a free moment. This also helps me when I have to give citizenship grades at grading time. It is a great deterrent for misbehavior because it sits right in front of students on the wax clip and it is easy to keep track of who has been warned. When I do write a detention I always state the behavior continued after being warned twice. I seldom have to write a detention and students seem to be very accepting when asked to go get a sign. This method really works!

[Unregistered]

I would encourage you to think about how happy you are, or aren't--to be a teacher. Is this really what you want to do? Kids absolutely pick up on subtle, often very subtle, hints that a teacher may not be in the right profession. I guess what I didn't hear in your message was enthusiasm, passion, curiosity...and there is NO SHAME in doing some self-examination to check yourself and your goals.

[Unregistered]

Some great advice that I received and have used successfully (I hope it helps you!):

1. Classroom contract: Ask the students how THEY want to be treated. Get to that they want to KNOW the rules and be treated justly according to those rules. With Respect (no teasing or making fun if they don't know the answer or forgot their homework). etc. Then ask how they think YOU want to be treated. On a huge piece of posterboard or bulletin board paper, get a few students to write this out as you go through it. Then ask each student to sign it and post it.

Go over the contract frequently at the beginning of the year. By the winter holiday, you will only have to LOOK at the contract before students self monitor their behavior.

2. Post your class rules and procedures. These are separate items. The rules are deal breakers. Mine are 1. Be respectful to yourself and others, 2. Follow class procedures, and 3. Do your best. That's it. The procedures are what they are supposed to do. I have 5, which include entering the classroom quietly and writing in their planners, take turns going to the observation table (5 at a time), complete the bell ringer on the board, look at the NEXT! list (yet another poster in my room all year).

These 4 posters are up all year long: our contract, rules, procedures, and Next! Students know exactly what is expected of them. I don't yell. Ever. I just stop what I'm doing and wait. Sometimes I do jumping jacks or make a to-do list softly, so that they know that I'm bored waiting for them to focus. :)

The other HUGE tip is this: Stay excited about what you are doing. When I'm excited, I have 100% attention. Keep the activities moving, and change activities before it gets old. I keep a timer on my board, and set time limits alot...this helps them understand the importance of time management. I also try and have several different activities each class. Sometimes it's something as simple as a speed roll call (a student times us! and we graph our results each week!!!) or assigning the person at every table whose birthday is last to pick up homework...they NEVER know what I'm going to ask next, so they have to pay attention. :)

Don't give up. I learned that it is never too late to TRAIN students about your expectations. Just be firm, fair and fun....

GOOD LUCK! :)

[Unregistered]

I use three methods.

I write the name of the offenders on the board. They don't like to see it up there and often that is all it takes. If they continue to disrupt the class I put an X beside their name. Name and 2 x's mean they are out of the class or they stay in when others get to go out at lunch, recess etc. I never warn them again after their name is up. I just walk over quietly and put an x beside their name and other students will point it out to them for you. This tends to settle them down.

I also use the 'you owe me time' way. I will stop talking, look at my watch and when it gets quiet I will say you owe me 1 minute or two minutes or how ever long it takes for them to settle. Or I write it on the board. Then I keep them in at the end of class. They get the hint after the first couple of times. But be consistant and follow up.

I get the most diruptive kid in the class to come up and help me teach. This often gives them a sense of importance, fulfills their need for attention and it takes them out of the situation they are in. I find that it helps the kids show respect for the teacher as well as understand how hard it is to teach if no one is paying attention to you.

[Unregistered]

Buy and read the book, First Days of School by Harry Wong. This will head you in the right direction for classroom management!