Teachers HELP!

Ladies, I need your help.

I was hired the 3rd week of school (when the first 3rd grade was too big, so they split it). The kids were already used to their teacher & being w/ their friends & b/c of this I didn't come on as strong as I should of.

Now....

B/c of being a bit lax in the discipline area my class is very talkative, loud and they don't respect e/o (talking over e/o, etc.).

HOW do I get control back?

I've been taking away things like Center time & giving extra HW, but its not re=establishing the rules.

Thanks so much.

From this point foward be very firm. Go in Monday with a rules and consequences chart and go over that with them immeadiately. Put their name up on the board when they break a rule, if they break another rule circle their name and that means they have lunch 'detention', if they behave for the rest of the day they get crossed out. If after lunch detention they still missbehave you call the parents.

Send kids down to the principal for the first few days if you must so that they know you mean business. Be 'mean' until you know you have control and can ease up again.

Maybe do a sticker chart of days where the entire class is well behaved, if they fill up the chart they can have a holiday 'party' where you will bring in some goodies or something.

I think when you provide structure and routine to your classrom discipline will follow.

I would also develop consequeces for good and bad behaviors.

this year is my 1st year and ive found that positive reinforcement as well as strict rules posted works great

i give raffle tickets everytime they are on task or polite...then on fridays i pick out 2 names for prizes

they now realize the better they are, the better thrie chances to 'win'

I agree with everyone else about going in Monday with new rules. I went through something like this with a fifth grade class that I was a leave replacement for. The kids were wonderful in class, but as soon as I was out of their sight, they would act up and be nasty to each other (this had been happening all year, even when the other teacher was there. They were known as the class from hel*)

I genuinely spoke to them about respecting other people, and to treat people like they want to be treated. This was not a 5 minute conversation. This went on until I felt like they truly understood. Some students even chimed in with suggestions or stories. Even though i was cutting into 'work time'. I did not care. You know how they tell you to take advantage of 'teachable moments'. Well this was one of them and I am so glad I did it.

Also, this was during the spring. Many of the kids in the class played baseball/softball. So if they got a compliment during one of their specials or during lunch, they would get a baseball (i would draw it on the board). Once thye got 10 baseballs (im dont remember the number) they could either watch a movie or we would go out to play kickball, or something rewarding. It really worked. I made sure to let the special teachers know about this ahead of time, so that they remembered to give a compliment if they were well behaved. Good luck!!!

Definetely going over the rules again and your expectations! Also being consistant..this is something that I had problems with!

Good Luck Cindy!! (let me know if there are any openings PLEASE!)

Thanks ladies.

I do have a red/yellow/green light system (if they stay on green all week, they are able to choose a class job & they pick from the treasure chest). A note goes home on Fri. w/ their 'lights' for the week & the parents have to sign it.

I also send home an 'action' report (something the school does) for specific behaviors (fighting, not doing HW, etc.)

It's more so just general noise duirng worktime or I allow whispering & it gets to be actual talking, etc.

I also list CENTERS on the board in the am & as the class is noisy I erase letters.

If a teacher comes in & compliments them on working quietly (or in the hall) they get links added (when the chain & floor do meet, Ms. ____ will give us all a treat)--a movie/popcorn party.

If a child is doing something especially great or helping e/o, I'll give them a little certificate for the day w/ a pencil/eraser/little prize.

Also a lot of the problems happen at lunch (they eat in the class w/ a lunch mother) & then when I walk in, I have to hear 5 different stories about who did what to who.

It sounds like you are doing alot. Maybe that is why it is hard to be consistent,

Also, with the lunch room, you deal with these kids for the majority of the day. It should be the lunch monitors job to deal with things that happen when you are not there. It should only be brought to your attention if it is something dire. You deal with enough, you dont have to hear all of the petty things that they do in lunch. It just gets ridiculous after awhile. Good luck!

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Posted by jes81276

I would walk in on Monday and explain to them that from this point on there will be a new routine in the classroom....sit them down and come up with rules together and have them all sign it, then keep it hanging in the classroom. Discuss what the consequences will be when the rules are not followed. The key is to follow through on the consequences, bc if you don't they will know that they can do what they want and get away with it. Just be VERY firm with them. It won't change in a day but if children see other children having consequences when they do not follow the rules, then they will likely catch on. Good luck!

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This is great advice and whatever you do, I would never give extra homework as punishment. That may come back to bit you in the butt. Parents do not always take kindly to this. Phone calls home, if the parents are supportive, is another way. Children will always respect a teacher when they feel the teacher is being fair and consistent with everyone.

Good luck, I know it can be a struggle.

def. go over rules over and over and over and tell them your consequences. have them displayed too. remember, public praise, private reprimand.

i have a stop doing that and you're doing great card. sometimes i'm so tired of saying stop that i show the card instead and the smiles i get when i show the you're doing great card are awesome.

i have a bean jar for the entire class. party when they fill the jar. but i also have table points too. something as simple as the table that copies their homework the fastest and is ready to work gets 15 points. they pressure each other to be good.

good luck!!!!!!!

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Posted by JacnRob729

It sounds like you are doing alot. Maybe that is why it is hard to be consistent,

Also, with the lunch room, you deal with these kids for the majority of the day. It should be the lunch monitors job to deal with things that happen when you are not there. It should only be brought to your attention if it is something dire. You deal with enough, you dont have to hear all of the petty things that they do in lunch. It just gets ridiculous after awhile. Good luck!

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I agree with this...obviosuly kids always want to tell you what happened at lunch (mine do it all the time) and I just say, did you tell Mrs. *** when they say yes, I say then it is over and what happens at lunch stays at lunch. It doesn't come back to the classroom.