Some discipline tips

amother

OP ↓

Thu, Oct 31 2024, 5:52 pm

10 grade. 35 students.
The girls in the back do their own thing, pass notes, giggle, ignore when I stare at them etc.
One girl from the front always wants to be part of the fun and has some long distance communication with the girls in the back.
What should I do about it?

#Happymom

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 7:00 am

Someone should observe you teaching and give you real pointed feedback.

Some points-
Can you change the girls' seats around?
Can you shake up the lessons a bit to involve every student with something exciting or mind blowing interesting? Sometimes they need a 're-set'
Short term - can you do a raffle for something like a can of coke for students who behave. That's a big motivator!

amother

Stoneblue

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 7:23 am

esther7 wrote:

As someone who has been teaching for a while, the best advice I can give, is to get someone to guide you in real life, maybe a more experienced teacher from the school can mentor you? Tips and tricks from here aren't going to cut it.
Hatzlacha!

I believe that was the tip! Realizing that this needs mentorship tailored to you and in person
It's normal and healthy
You need someone on site who can observe. You need someone who you FOLLOW UP WITH. This isn't about a quick fix, it's lots of work to figure out an sleep tweeking, getting better and better as you go along
Hatzlucha!

amother

Bone

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 8:19 am

#Happymom wrote:

Dont do a raffle for a can of coke or anything like that.
That's treating 10th graders (15 and 16 year olds) like they're 10.
If my daughter's teacher did that tbh, she would lose all relationship and respect from the class for the rest of the year.
They want to be treated like mini adults and given courtesies like mini adults, not like oversized preschoolers (even if they act like that)

amother

Burntblack

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 10:53 am

Have you taught before?
If not, that's crazy job for a first year teacher. I've been teaching for a decade and I wouldn't do that classroom size (or grade!!!)

Read
Teach Like a Champ

For starters- Definitely get yourself all around the classroom several times a day. No "no go zones". You should be able to get through every aisle. Proximity is important.

amother

↑ Nectarine ↓

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 11:58 am

Also, saying one girls name sternly right when you walk in and looking at her sternly.
That’s a way to get their attention.
What is the school system for disciplining? Maybe you need to send on girl to the principal to show you mean business.
In a positive way, explain that you cannot teach when girls are disrupting. So if they can please bear with you……
Maybe make a system that you will collect some girls notes at the end of each week and it will count towards their grade(like that they have to be busy and can’t get distracted)

You have to nip this now. Otherwise, you’ll have a full year of hell.

↑ esther7

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 12:10 pm

amother OP wrote:

As an experienced teacher, would yo have some tips to share?

I teach a different age range. Harry Wong's books are great. I found them very helpful. But if I could look back at my earlier years of teaching and tell myself one thing, it would be that there is no shame in asking for guidance in the classroom. Every new teacher needs it, especially with a more challenging class which it sounds like you have. It's not a reflection on you, it doesn't mean you failed, it doesn't mean you're not a good teacher. It should be a standard that every new teacher gets one-on-one mentoring for the first few years. But because it's not a standard in a lot of from schools, we have to seek it out ourselves.
I feel that a lot boils down to, systems in the classroom, engaging lessons, and being a strong presence in the classroom that the students listen to and respect. Which system to implement,how to respond to behaviors etc is nuanced. It can depend on your personality,the specific class, the general discipline systems in the school etc. Anything you can gain from tips from here will be a drop compared to what you can gain from having someone observe you in real life and tailor advice to your specific classroom.
I'm not trying to say this to be harsh, I'm really coming from a place of compassion. Teaching is an incredibly challenging job, and I relate so much to the struggle. I really want you to get the guidance you deserve, which could only happen in real life, not imamother

amother

Cobalt

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 12:26 pm

I feel for you. I teach at a school where talking is an issue for many teachers. It's part of the culture, seems like.
I have ninth grade, 27 girls. It's a struggle.
Some ideas... When you start class, start it right. Wait at the door until every girl is at her seat. The dive right in. No time wasting. After the first couple wks, I don't take attendance because girls get sidetracked. I either do a quick glance or ask a girl to fill it out tht attendance sheets
When there are too many 'private conversations' going on, I stop teaching. Usually some girls end up shushing the others. Often I need to call names
One thing I have found that quiets them for a few seconds (sad, I know) is opening up my roll book and writing in it. Girls get nervous . Works almost every time to get them quiet. I actually do have a page for behaviors and I mark down 't' for taking, 'e' for eating, etc, so I can keep track for when report cards come....
Walk around the room. All the time.stand in the back where there is talking. Hopefully they're not so completely disrespectful that they'll continue on their conversation wiwith you right there....
But sadly, I'm stuck myself. I need more ideas.
I teach more than one class and have problems in all. (It's not my first or second or even third year teaching)

Genius

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 12:47 pm

Teach from all corners of the classroom.
An interesting tip that works, at least for a moment, is using the girls name randomly without looking at the girl.
For example, Ricky is a ring leader in the back and you teach history. “Imagine what Ricky feels like with her husband far away fighting a war in an era before WhatsApp” or something to that effect. Peoples ears perk up at the sound of their own name. The least you’ll have done is cut her train of thought lol.
The girls also must be a part of the lesson. All of them, front back and center.

amother

Opal

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 12:56 pm

amother Nectarine wrote:

If you do this be very very very cautious with which name you choose.
My seventh grade teacher did that to me in the beginning of the year, I was a shy quiet studious girl. By now I laugh about it but I still remember it very very clearly. I was in seventh grade almost 20 years ago

amother

Pansy

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 12:59 pm

Lots of waking up and down aisle, switch seats put well behaved girls near the disruptive girls. Have contests reward good class behavior. Make your lessons more interactive, call on girls more, lecture less, do hands on things that engage them more.

amother

↑ Nectarine

Fri, Nov 01 2024, 1:22 pm

amother Opal wrote:

I meant one girl that’s part of the talking….

amother

NeonYellow

Sat, Nov 02 2024, 2:27 pm

Do NOT stare at anyone, I'm still traumatized from a teacher in 9th grade who stared at me a few times for minor stuff.
I have taught up to 11th grade but I haven't taught such a large class but I do have a few tips.
1. If you need to take attendance do it at the end of your lesson.
2. Do you know the basics of a lesson plan? Every lesson needs a MOTIVATION, make your lessons interesting and exciting and be over prepared.
3. Try to make your lessons interactive. Maybe you can try an activity where they work in pairs or small groups to get everyone involved
4. Try to get the talkers involved in a positive way!!
Hatzlocha!!