What a week this has been. It seem like I was on a roller coaster with the first part of the week going up, the middle of the week going down, and by the end of the week coming back up. The first of the week the students were doing fine. They were enjoying the assignment that I had given them and were eager to accomplish it. By Wednesday, I believe with the time change, they seem to have difficulty with adjusting to the change. During the review game in two of my classes on Wednesday, the students just didn't want to get along with each other. This really surprised me with the one class which always has been an excellent group of students and who work well with each other. By the end of the week, the students were doing well and were back to their old themselves.
This week has been one that has been rewarding, too. I have had one student who felt that if they just passed their chapter tests and not do the assignments that they could pass for the marking period. This student had been doing this since the beginning of the year. Another student would do their assignment, but didn't care if the assignments were done correctly, had decided that the computer class was one that they could do their other homework in. Also, when I was doing the lesson, this student would not participate and would just sit there. I had explained to the class on the first day that I taught them, that they were not to do any other work from other classes while in this class. There would be plenty for them to do and when they completed their work, they could select something from the activity center to do.
After speaking to each of these students individually and showing them that I wanted them to succeed, there has been a change in both of them.. The student who just thought they could pass the tests has now been completing their work and handing it in, and now is seeing that their grade has risen because of it. The other student has been turning in better work and participating in the class. This student now greets me when they see me in the hallway, greets me when entering the classroom, and whenever I work with this student, thanks me. This has given me a great feeling.
There are two things that I would do differently if I could start the week over. The first would have been selecting a different game to review the vocabulary for the test in regards to the dynamics of the one class. The second was when in this same class, I had to ask a student to leave the room. I really didn't like doing it, but it had to be done. I have found out that this group of students move from on class to another all day long (my co-op didn't know this either) and when they reach the class in the afternoon, some of the things that have happen in other classes or on the way spill over into the classroom. I need to keep this in mind from now on when I present my lesson or do any type of game or activity with them.
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I can identify with students acting out more than usual, or at least being more wound up than they typically are. This week there were one or two days that students were just flat out hyper, and then there were one or two days that getting them to work was like pushing mud. Whether it was giggling about nonsense or somewhat playfully hollering at each other, there always seemed to be something happening that was borderline "too much." One of the classes that comes to mind most when looking back is typically known for being wound up and rather comical, but this week it was more than usual.
ReplyDeleteIn my experience it wasn't always a bad thing, but it is definitely something that has to be dealt with when providing instruction, conducting activities, and attempting to engage all students.
I'm glad that the week ended on a reasonably high note though. Just remember, only a little over a month and we'll have all of this behind us! :)
When students get uncontrollably hyper can be a bad thing, however I believe it can actually help with classroom management. Learning to take control of the class and letting them know they cannot do anything they want. I had two students start wrestling in the back of the class when I was writing on the board. Let's just say this class never saw me get really angry before. The whole class sat straight up in their seats and I didn’t hear a single word the rest of class.
ReplyDeleteOne teacher in the school told me to try yelling at the class and act as if you are really furious with them when they are out of control. This will immediately grab their attention and calm them down. I actually witnessed him doing this in class, he yelled and actually flipped a chair. The students stopped what they were doing and were great the rest of class. He then came to me afterward and smiled and laughed and said, “Did you like that?” He explained he was not as mad as he made it seem but sometimes students need to witness something a little different. It definitely worked.
I know you’re a mom so I know the so called "flipping out" is something you have done before. Doing this definitely worked, you should try it some time, it's actually fun. Good luck in your upcoming week, you don’t have to try this but it can be fun watching the students reactions.
Wow, I never thought about "flipping out" as a strategy. I thought about it as something that happens when the teacher has lost control of his or her emotions and not as a good thing. I'll have to give that more thought but I don't really see it as my style, or for that matter, yours either Bettie. I like the calm, rational approach which I know doesn't always work but it has so far for me. I mentioned in my blog this week that I told a student that I don't make threats and that the next time I talked with him his seat would be changed. He doesn't want to sit by himself near a corner so he has been behaving, actually he's like a new student. I even heard another student say to him "Hey Dude, what's wrong with you today?" because he was so quiet. But I'm not really sure how long it will last. Maybe I'll flip a chair if he starts to act up... NOT!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you realize connecting with your students one-on-one and letting them know that you are concerned for their best interest and success, it usually works. Always have control of your emotions; it’s what separates the teacher from the students. We’re paid to be professional and I am glad you are making an impact in such a positive way Bettie! :)
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you changed some of the negative attitudes from a few of your students to positive ones. I am glad to hear that. I have experienced similiar situations when I have been asked by a few students their grade at that point in the marking period. After telling them their grade, their response was, "well, I only have to get a seventy on the next test and I will pass the course". I stopped them immediately and told them my expectations of them are high in this class. I also told them that just trying to get by with a passing grade is not a successful attitude. I am going to repeat this again this week. I hope they change their attitude as your students have.
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