On Classroom Management#3
On Classroom Management [3rd Posting] Subtitled – My way
I wrote the last posting from an “outsider’s” “Point of View” of what I did. Sounds kind of weird, but I don’t think I nailed what I wanted to say. I wanted to expressly give my rules, so that I can them their own sort of life. To begin, I have to admit that my rules aren’t “my rules” they were “borrowed.” While perusing many various sites about classroom management I came across this site, where someone calling themselves “The English Teacher” as well tells a pretty amusing anecdote. Upon discovering this site, I quickly adapted those rules for to my own use; changing the words a bit, tweaking it to add my own brand of humor. So without further ado, the rules of “Stop Talking.”
STOP TALKING
Stop talking does not mean to-
1. Keep talking
2. Answer a friend’s question
3. Answer someone’s question
4. Ask a question
5. Stop chattering and talk about important things instead
6. Ask what day it is
7. Ask what grade you’re getting
8. Talk to yourself
9. Argue
10. Sing the latest Jay-z or Britney Spears song
11. Discuss the latest Jay-z or Britney Spears video
12. Complain about the open window
13. Look out the window and think to yourself outloud how much you want to go home
14. Call out without raising your hand and being called upon.
It means to:
Be Silent and Purposeful
-and-
Work, Listen and Think
The way that I effected the rules was kind of interesting as well.
If I felt that more than one person was whispering or interrupting my class while I lectured, I would declare “Stop Talking” has been called. Then when I finally caught the student, I would have them go up to where the rules were posted and have them read the rules out loud, then upon finishing I would ask “Which rule did you violate” and when the student answered, I would give them detention. The first few weeks of “Stop Talking” the repetition of having students read the rules out loud slowed down the pacing of class, and even brought some chuckles but generally the rules became somewhat reinforced. One thing that I learned from last year is that discipline (in any incarnation) needs to be routinely maintained. There’s a level of comfort that you can afford students, but some comfort can’t be bought, because a teacher should not put it on sale. Things such as heads down on the desk (unless of sickness), calling out, or frequent tardiness really can’t slide by. I quote Teddy Roosevelt’s misquote, “Walk softly, but Carry Big Stick, and you will go far“, because looking at the various ideologies of self-respect no ones to be known as that teacher where the kids have their way.
Moving on, there’s tons more about ‘Classroom Management’ I’d like to explore (bathroom breaks, late homework, assholeness), but one man’s sunny day, is another man’s allergy nightmare. If anything, RESEARCH. RESEARCH. RESEARCH. While there is not necessarily one utmost-top-numero uno way to do it, there are several different ways via for the most difficult.
[Chester Kent]
