AboutTracy Chatters Expertise I can answer questions related to classroom discipline for middle and high school, student motivation, rewards plans, creating an exciting classroom environment and planning field trips to enhance curriculum.
Experience I am a CA credentialed secondary teacher with 5 years classroom experience. I have designed my own social studies curriculum to include exciting hands-on activities, role-playing and other events that make kids want to learn. I have taken more than 100 students on exciting educational field trips including Washington DC, Ashland OR, and all over California. I currently train new teachers how to create a positive classroom environment.
Organizations CANEC
Education/Credentials CA Secondary Authorization for Social Studies, Spanish and Russian
Expert: Tracy Chatters Date: 3/24/2008 Subject: Disobedience and Disrespect
Question I just started teaching my class this year, I am a math teacher, and my students never listen to me. Children are always throwing notes across the room, and Talking aloud to their fellow classmates. I've tried things like yelling and smacking a ruler on the desk, but whenever I yell or do this, the students just burst into laughter. Did I mention I teach the 7th grade? Well, anyways.. I try not to be easy on my students, and once I even heard a student say to someone during class "I hope I get this teacher next year, she's an easy 'A'." the other student replied saying "Yeah, but I think she needs anger management." I don't know how to teach these 7th graders some respect, or obedience, but I honestly need your help. Please, and thank you.
Answer It sounds like you need a serious dose of routine. I would start by making the kids line up outside your door. When they're standing quietly, let them in. If they're too loud coming in, make them go back and line up again. It may take an entire day of lining up and going back to make them realize you mean business. Do not change the homework for the day, even if you don't get to teach at all.
Start with a warmup on the board and make sure you grade it daily or weekly. This will force them to come in and get busy immediately or see the affect in their grades. I would also recommend that for a few weeks you have a zero tolerance for talking during class policy. Does your school have demerits or detention? You need to start issuing these immediately. If you don't, add a section to your grade called "Behavior/Organization" and give students 5 points a day. If they misbehave, take away a point. It's easy to give everyone 5 then only take away one from those who don't follow directions.
Having students call home is a huge benefit when they do something completely outlandish in class. I had a student call me a *itch once. I calmly walked over to my computer, got his phone number, called his grandmother (who took care of him) and said "hang on a second... Johnny has something to tell you" and then asked him to speak to his grandmother and tell her what he said. I have never had this problem again in 5 years, as reputation has spread that I mean business.
Finally, I would try to never raise your voice unless it's to get attention. You are giving them what they want when you yell- they're trying to make you mad and crack you! I'd just calmly write names on the board for notes later for who loses behavior points.
You can have fun with your class but it has to be earned. You should set up some sort of reward system like 10 minutes free time on Friday, or game time or candy. When they've behaved like you ask, then you can reward them.
