I'll be the first to admit that even after 13 years of teaching, classroom management has never been my strong suit. Right now I'm struggling to manage disruptive behaviors in one of my 9th grade World History classes. It seems like every day, a group of 6-7 students in the class of 27 talks through directions and can't keep from touching each other despite redirections. With so many off-task, it's hard for me to continuously redirect and I feel like the remaining students are always getting punished for the behavior of a few. What has helped other teachers in this kind of situation?
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Erin, there are so many thoughts ping ponging through my head right now. We've all been there/done that with this situation. This is probably compounded by "spring fever." I had a teacher years ago in my own teacher training who continuously said, "all behavior is caused." I've never forgotten it. There's a reason for these 6 or 7 to behave the way they do (anxious? tired? intimidated? needing more stimulation?). And the other students are as annoyed by it as you are (they just don't know how or what to say about it.). Is it time to have an activity that keeps them REALLY busy? (not busy work, but LOTS of meaningful work.). Is it time for a sink-or-swim group activity in which all 7 of them are in the same group? (At first they will be overjoyed, then realize it's all on them.). Or is it time for a good old fashioned heart to heart (with the students or with a guardian)? I would love to hear what others have to say as well.
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ERIN CUNNINGHAM I understand your frustration. Here is a great source from the Cult of Pedagogy "When Your Classroom Management Goes Off the Rails" This author, Claire English, published a book called "It's Never Just About the Behavior: A holistic approach to classroom behavior management."
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ERIN CUNNINGHAM I definitely get where you're coming from, I recently had an issue with a group of seniors. I like Denise Ford 's strategies to use, I actually did all of these. It took until I had a conversation with the students for them to realize how much of a problem they were causing. Mine were just being your typical seniors with senioritis but when they realized if they continued down their path that it could impact graduation, they changed their tune. For freshmen, I would definitely get parents involved in a conversation so you can try to curtail this behavior now so it doesn't get as bad as they continue throughout the rest of high school.
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I used to work at a school that really. went overboard with the "teach like a champion" classroom management stuff. If I'm being honest I'm a lot more lenient and my natural self in the classroom now - but some of the tools that they pushed do work in moderation...
Some of those tools were: Self-interrupt, Illusion of Speed and "Narrating the Positive."
These are kinda contradictory tools but they can work in tandem - it's a balance of not letting the kids talk over you but also not letting them completely derailing you and continuing on, creating the illusion that they're missing out because the pace is quick. Shouting out the kids who are on task also really does help build some momentum.
Hope that helps!
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Thanks Adam Esrig . My teacher prep program hyped "teach like a champion", too, and I've gotten so hung up on the "expect 100%" that I've forgotten some of the tools to get there. I'm reminded that some of my instincts are on point especially the sense of urgency I try to build.
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Laura Massa and Katie Raby , thank you both for the recommendations. I will look into Claire English's approach.
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Denise Ford and Marcella Sykucki , thank you both for your suggestions. I really appreciate the support!
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Adam Esrig these are great resources. I will share them with a colleague who struggles with classroom management. I like the details in the process because they are very clear and easy to follow.
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ERIN CUNNINGHAM thank you for starting this thread. It is very useful, even for experienced teachers. We all go through similar challenges.
