When we recorded our voice overs for our movie projects last year, I’d call “Quiet on the Set” and it would need to be totally quiet. I knew that my class would do a good job of this but there was one student, “Tommy,” who wasn’t going to be quiet and he would probably get two or three other students talking at the same time. Tommy became our engineer. Tommy shouted “Quiet on the Set” and he pushed the record button in iMovie. No one talked, Tommy was a productive member of our classroom, and I wasn’t aggravated.
Have a student who has a problem with wandering around the classroom? How about making them a paper monitor this week?
Problems with excess socializing? How about sitting students in groups and employing collaborative work?
Elementary students don’t do homework? How about meeting with those students to make sure they’re able to complete the work without parent help?
Give your students a chance and sometimes they’ll rise to the challenge. Also note that your own frustration is less when students are productive and things work as they should.
Related Posts:
Classroom Management: The Teacher’s Voice
Classroom Management: Appropriate Consequences
Classroom Management: Good Morning
I just want to say that this is a favorite series of mine to follow. It’s full of quick, useful advice that I’m tangentially aware of, but it says it much more concisely than I could, especially if trying to put into practice myself or explain to a newer teacher. Thanks.
it does not work!!!!
@Marina,
Well, that’s positive thinking for you!
All I can say is I’m a classroom teacher. It does work and it has worked for me. If you want to post a specific problem we can brainstorm a solution.
Classroom management comes down to positive routines for me. As a middle school teacher, I’ve developed an effective approach with 8th graders, a variety of movement, music, and other routines that keep kids engaged and out of trouble!
For instance, when I start music at the end of class, it’s a cue for kids to clean up, turn in papers, and push in their chairs. Might seem elementary or “cute” but it works!