Can anyone hep me to improve dissipline in my classroom? Any tips?

[Joe Gouws 20464029]

Hey there! I am a student teacher, and are having problems with learner`s dissipline, are there any ways to help me to get them to quiet down and to stop shouting out answers, and also being rude to me and fellow learners? What am I doing wrong?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

this is thread #2 where discipline is spelled wrong, please go back to your university and try again

kthxbie

[Unregistered]

Oh my God, Chocolate NO!!! I can go back to your posts and find a TON of misspelled words. Unbelievable that everyone else's mistakes are fodder for your posts, but if anyone points out that you do the same, there is always a smart ************ answer or excuse. You are tooooooo much!!

[Unregistered]

Hey there! I am a student teacher, and are having problems with learner`s dissipline, are there any ways to help me to get them to quiet down and to stop shouting out answers, and also being rude to me and fellow learners? What am I doing wrong?



















Why start a second thread? Were you hoping to get drastically different responses?

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

Why start a second thread? Were you hoping to get drastically different responses?

s/he wants to hear that there is an Easy Button. that answer wasn't given last time.


lol

[Unregistered]

this is thread #2 where discipline is spelled wrong, please go back to your university and try again

kthxbie

It is really SCARY when student teachers/ teachers CANNOT spell - what will our children learn???

[Unregistered]

It is really SCARY when student teachers/ teachers CANNOT spell - what will our children learn???













Spelling isn't on most standardized tests. So, to answer your question, your children will learn reading comprehension, writing composition, math problem solving, science, and social studies.

Actually, the history of spelling is pretty interesting. It hasn't been until the last hundred years or so that spelling was even deemed important. This becomes clear when you read the origonal journal entries of historical figures such as Lewis and Clark. Essentially, the meaning of the text and the quality of the handwriting were considered to be of high importance. By contrast, invented spelling was still an accepted method of writing.

The first English dictionary was published in 1604, before that there was no standard way to spell words. It was common practice to just spell words however you wanted-as long as other people could understand what you meant. Interestingly, Shakespeare spelled his own name in a variety of ways, but he never spelled it the way it is now commonly spelled (or in other words, according to the dictionary he spelled his own name incorrectly). The concept that standardized spelling was of any importance did not take hold for a few hundred years after the dictionary was origonally published.

I suspect that spell check, in combination with the dictionary, has led us to be increasingly a.n.a.l. retentive about spelling. That said, I can't exactly throw stones at the judgemental-this morning I went on a ten minute rant because someone spelled "toobin" on a sign down the street from my house rather than "tubing".
Now, if we could just move away from spelling and focus on the real issues that face our society-like pronoun abuse.

[lateacher]

Back to the Op's question.

There are no "quick fixes" to your discipline issues. First, you need to be clear on your expectations. Make sure the students know what you expect; make sure they know the consequences when they do not meet these. Be consistent.

If needed, spend time teaching your expected behavior. When they do not follow them, stop and re-teach the expectations. As crazy as it sounds, what seems simple to us may not be to your students.

Three things you need to do as a teacher: Always be prepared. Always be consistent. Always communicate what you desire, even if you have to make a step by step explanation of what you expect and how they are to act and perform during an assignment or activity.

[Unregistered]

Model the behavior you expect from your students. They are not your friends.

[Unregistered]

There's a difference between discipline and procedures. Discipline is a consequence of breaking a rule. Most kids act up when you don't have established procedures for everything that goes on in the classroom. Kids have to know how they are expected to enter the classroom. They need to know the procedure for turning in homework. You need to spend the first week of class going over every detail from how you want them to write the heading on their paper to walking in line in the halls. There are some good books to get you started. I recommend Harry Wong's "The First Days of School" and Elizabeth Breaux' "Classroom Management Simplified" Get them and read them today!

[laurarc49]

Try the new book: Teaching With Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk. It's incredible and extremely helpful.

[Unregistered]

Try the new book: Teaching With Love and Logic by Jim Fay and David Funk. It's incredible and extremely helpful.














Particularly when you use it to spank with-works better than a belt!

[Unregistered]

I would suggest a number of things (learned over my first year of teaching)

1. Be firm and consistent
2. Allow children to help in the development of classroom etiquitte i.e. what does a good classroom look like/sound like? Let students know they can have a classroom where they work in silence and in solitude doing worksheets (Class A) or one in which they can work with some chatter and in groups, doing fun lessons(Class B). The way the classroom operates is dependant upon their behaviour. If behaviour is unacceptable, then remind students that they obviously cannot have Class B, so you'll have to be the teacher of Class A. Stop the fun activity and hand out a really boring worksheet. Move students around the room so they aren't sitting near each other (even working on the floor if need be). Put up posters as visual reminders. I found this very effective as the students know they way the classroom is, is dependent upon THEIR behaviour, their choices.
3. Put up posters around the room of expectations. If for instance, rule 3 is 'Put your hand up to speak' and a student calls out say 'John, you obviously have something to say, but you need to follow Rule 3 of our class etiquitte'.
4. When asking for answers, preface it with 'use your hands not your mouths to let me know you know the answer'. You could also try picking students who don't have their hands up ... often they know the answer but lack confidence to speak up.
5. Start writing something like 'if you all work quietly for the next (however many minutes) from the time I finish writing this, you can have (however many minutes) of free time' onto the blackboard or whiteboard. In my class (grade 5 and 6) we play 'You talk, I win'. When we are walking as a class somewhere, such as assembly, if they do not talk the entire way, they earn 5 minutes free time. If someone talks, they loose 5 minutes of their accrued free time. Students bank their free time until they have a 45 minutes worth (one period). For free time, they have a range of activities they can do -- computer games, jigsaws, board games, arts and crafts. They think it's fun, that they're getting out of 'real work', but are actually learning skills without realising it. It's win-win :-)
6. If students are doing things like leaning back on their chairs, print a small picture of a person sitting on their chair, laminate it and stick it to the students desk. If they lean back, walk past their desk, tap their shoulder and point to the picture. Often this is the only reminder they need, it saves your voice and doesn't embarrass the student. If this doesn't work, take their chair off them for the rest of the period and make them kneel to work. They soon learn to keep all four legs of the chair on the floor.
7. If students are wasting time sharpening pencils, getting items from their bags and lockers etc, keep a tally of how much class time they are wasting, then keep them in at recess or lunch for that amount of time.
8. Before doing activities that require sustained attention, i.e. writing, give students 'talk time'. I give my class '5 minutes talk time' to discuss their ideas with those sitting near them.

Finally, remember, students need to come to realise you cannot control their behaviour, only they can. Thus, any consequences that come their way are their own doing.

Hope some of this helps.

[Unregistered]

Rather than picking on the poor child for his/her ability to spell, why don't you offer some helpful advice for their discipline situation.
I have been in the class room since '92, and my classes have always ran very smooth, with little to no discipline issues.

The first thing you need to do, is read Harry Wong's book, The first day of school. It will help you determine what will work best in YOUR classroom. However, before you can complete the book you need to start using some simple strategies. One of the best things I do is have a warm up ready before my students get to class, they know they have to come in quietly, and get started for a grade. It works to get them focused and it is very effective. You MUST no matter how boring continue to model and repeat your expectations. I also use intrinsic motivation techniques in my classroom and allow the students to develop some of the class rules. I have my absolute expectations that they must follow, but I allow each class to develop a set of 4-5 rules that they can agree upon and will hold each other accountable to.

The key to good discipline is to be consistant, don't "waffle" on your rules.

Hope this helps!

[aafmom]

I have been teaching for four years and still have problems with getting middle schoolers to be quiet. I hoped this thread would offer some solutions, but all you guys did was complain about what could have been a typo (big deal) and give generic, no good info. Harry Wong's book is of no help; I've had it for years and there are no specifics in there. What this student teacher wants is something concerte she can take in the classroom and actually USE. Not theory. We all know to be consistant, but middle school is hard to teach, we need action plans!

[Unregistered]

Hey Joe, try looking at your classroom rules and see how you can get kids to buy into them. We use the tribes agreements at our school and since the kids give examples of how they should look in the classroom, you can throw it back to them when some kid doesn't follow the agreements. The agreements are Mutual Respect, Attentive listening, Right to participate/pass, and Appreciation of others. Good luck.

[Unregistered]

Hey there! I am a student teacher, and are having problems with learner`s dissipline, are there any ways to help me to get them to quiet down and to stop shouting out answers, and also being rude to me and fellow learners? What am I doing wrong?

Hey Joe (sounds like a Jimmy Hendrix song..!)l suffered a similar syndrome when I first started 10 years ago. I found that using humour in the clasroom is a powerful teaching tool and also an effective means of instilling and maintaining classroom management. Yes, it's true that not all of us have a great sense of humour, but we all have a sense of humour per se which can be developed. I rely on ad libbing a lot but this is not everbody's cup of tea. I also reward good behaviour with the promise of an age-appropriate joke or two at the end of the lesson. I emphasise that the joke(s) must be appropriate and non-offensive. There is plenty of material which comes under this rubric, especially the plethora of Little Johnny jokes which students seem to really enjoy. If this seems feasible, give it a go - there's no harm in trying.
Cheers mate.
Leonard Cosaitis

[Unregistered]

Hey there! I am a student teacher, and are having problems with learner`s dissipline, are there any ways to help me to get them to quiet down and to stop shouting out answers, and also being rude to me and fellow learners? What am I doing wrong?

#1- start over. Start with your rules, expectations, and goals. Be assertive - if you say you are going to do something, do it! Which leads to your classroom rules - pick 5 and refer to them often. Do not accept a student's ability to disrupt your class. Be interesting - do your homework and create fun lessons and they will listen... Also, do not waste classtime to repeatedly correct or yell at a student. Quickly address it or walk near the student and give the hint while continuing with the lesson. If it gets out of hand, follow the school's code of disapline and send him out or write him up - and call home everyday if that is what it takes. Have a conference with the student about the repeated issue and find a common goal to reach.... Good Luck.

[Unregistered]

I have taught 19 years and struggled with classroom management until last year. Try Power Teaching. I believe they recently changed it to "Whole Brain Teaching" by Chris Biffle. It works and it is specific. My 7th graders bought into it last March after I returned from four weeks of recovery from surgery. I kept my sanity, regained my classroom and finished the year with a smile.
I have sixth graders this year and they are very responsive. Yesterday, I quieted the cafeteria by saying, "class" (rather loudly) and they responded, "yes?" and stopped talking. I simply stated that they were too loud and they were better. Several teachers are using Power Teaching so that is why I had the same response from so many. I can do that in the room, hall,and auditorium.
Also, take time to know your kids. If they know you care they do so much better. Be genuine though they can spot a fraud. I told a group the other day that I loved them enough to make them mind me. A little old fashion?
Maybe. I had apologies, a hug, and better behavior from my instigators the next day. Monday we may have to start again but everyone gets a fresh start everyday, including me.
To those that said Harry Wong's book doesn't work don't get it. It's up to you as the adult in the room to make it work...your way! It's not unusual to have a do-over on rules, expectations,etc. sometimes during the middle of the year.Some expectations work with one class and not another, so change it.
Remember why you became a teacher. You may be the only one to make a difference in their life.

[Unregistered]

Here are some suggestions:

1. Teach the rules. Take time each period to teach the rules, be specific and actually give short activities that would make them think about the appropriate rule. Example: Students should not speak when the teacher is speaking (Rule #1), then ask them to do a chart explaining what that sounds like and feels like. Then continue to reiterate this rule often. Each day teach a few rules as part of your lesson.

2. Always speak to them in an adult voice, don't yell and don't get angry. Do feel free to raise your voice, but don't shout. When you teach the rules be sure to explain that there will be consequences for breaking them and then MAKE SURE you carry through on it. Be CONSISTENT with dealing with broken rules.

These are just a few suggestions, but they will help.

I wish you the best, GR

[Unregistered]

Reading your request for help reminded me of my student teaching days. I was a senior in college and barely 21 years old. I was frightened of the children, and they were seasoned veterans of student teaching. What i had helping me was my wonderful cooperating teacher. He helped my understand what was necessary to establish effective classroom management practices. For immediate help, ask your cooperating teacher for help. As many have said before me, what you have to establish with your students is your philosophy of classroom management. If you don't want students talking and calling out answers, you must be willing to stop the class when students don't follow your rules, and remind them of what your expectations are. Don't ignore the problems, but be willing to address them. Good Luck.

[Mr. Wolfie]

[QUOTE=Joe Gouws 20464029;35999] I think that disipline ;) (spelt wrong on purpose) Is bad. Reward the kids that are good, not the ones that are bad. Soon the bad students will want the reward and will start listening and learning.

[Mr. Wolfie]

[QUOTE=Unregistered;37087] Wow. They hugged you? They'd sooner tie me to a flagpole and beat me up than hug me!:eek: (just kidding . . . I think.:confused:)

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

[QUOTE=Joe Gouws 20464029;35999] I think that disipline ;) (spelt wrong on purpose) Is bad. Reward the kids that are good, not the ones that are bad. Soon the bad students will want the reward and will start listening and learning.

no they won't. What if a kid could care less about candy

[ernagirsang@yahoo.com]

Hi..Im Oloviana. Im gonna give suggestions to overcome your special student. Im sure he/she is lack of attention from his/her parents and he is trying to get it from you. Maybe you can praise him in the front of the class because he is doing right on something (try to call him to do something easy for him). A student is really happy if his teacher asks him to do something and give him a responsibility. ok
I hope it works and enjoy your time with your students.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

you've been watching too many Michelle Pfeiffer movies.


*Newsflash*

not all kids care about teacher praise, or seek teacher approval. When drug dealers make more in a weekend, then a teacher makes in a month, who's feeling sorry for who?


you have this attitude like you just graduated from college and now teach at a PREP school. It makes you feel all noble to preach it, but reality is, some kids are going to simply go through the motions until they are allowed to dropout.

[Unregistered]

in my school we have real students come in front of the class and teach easy lessons. maybe if you can show your students what is like ti be a teacher maybe they will have more respecct for you and your fellow teachers.

[Unregistered]

Sorry to. whoops