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Janet/AR/host - Hello Everyone, welcome to the Substitute Teacher's Meeting.
Janet/AR/Host - It is nice to have you attend the meeting. More people will be in and out during the hour. What would you like to discuss?
mary - Classroom mgmt at the elementary level. I have some general questions in that area (and lots of funny experiences!)
Sue/TX/Sub - could we talk about controlling 4th and 5th grade students who don't know how to stop talking????
Janet/AR/Host - Ok we can make this a classroom management topic tonight.
Janet/AR/Host - Classroom Management is always tough for subs. I have the same problems.
Sue/TX/Sub - I've tried whole class management, where I write the words - GOOD REPORT - on the chalkboard. I earse a letter whenever the class gets too loud. It works for some classes, but others just don't care.
mary - Typically, I don't know what the classroom "procedures" are. Some students try to tell me the "rules", then they all start disagreeing with each other and I finially say, "I do not know exactly how it is done in your class, so here is my plan ... Do students want the same rules as the regular teacher or rules that the sub knows?
Janet/AR/Host - For the upper elem. I use coupons for those who are extra good during the day. Like free mins. of free time, etc.
Sue/TX/Sub - I've also tried individual behavior reports. This seemed to work best for the good workers mostly.
mary - Can you elaborate on the "coupons". How often, how many, what rewards, etc.
Janet/AR/Host - I have found that it may be a good idea to have your own plan. Let them know from sec. one that this is how you will do things.
Sue/TX/Sub - I've used coupons a couple of years ago and again it worked for some classes, but not for others.
mary - Sue, that is a clever idea and simple to do!
Sue/TX/Sub - I've also used coupons for one class which worked wonderfully for that day, but when I subbed for the same class another time, they just didn't care.
Janet/AR/Host - Ok, coupons, I made some coupons that have so many mins of free time on them. If a student has finished all their classwork and has not broken any of the rules then around 2:30 I would pass out the coupons. If there were some who did not get a coupon then they had to keep on working. I always brought in extra work.
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, one is going to find that happens with any classroom management technique. Just have to find one that works.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do any of you give candy as rewards? I had seriously thought about that but then decided not to.
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, yes all the time.
mary - I don't have experience with 5th 6th graders, Sue. Now that more have joined, maybe they will have some ideas for you.
Debbie - I have used tootsie rolls, Blo Pops and Jolly Rancers. The kids love it
Lori/WA/sub - I use candy with the older grades.
Janet/AR/Host - Another thing I do is bring a little treasure chest with small things as rewards.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do you start off the day by telling them that they will get candy at the end of the day?
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, no I don't but I do let them know that if the day goes well they may have a surprise at the end of the day.
Debbie - I don't make any promises with the older grades. I have been subbing for so long that they know what I expect from them.
Lori/WA/sub - I use a 'Caught Being Good' bucket. I hand out slips for good behavior, kindness, etc. They write their name on the ticket, put it in the bucket, & at the end of the day i draw out ten of them for a treat. The kids love it!
Janet/AR/Host - Lori, that is a GREAT idea!!! I will have to try that.
Sue/TX/Sub - I feel that these kids today need to behave because it is the right thing to do. Maybe I'm wrong.
Lori/WA/sub - I agree, too, Sue, but I like to have fun with them, too. I don't always use the bucket.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, what classroom management technique do you use?
pambre - Random acts of kindness that is not based on behavor.
Sue/TX/Sub - I suppose that I could have the coupons on hand for when I find that I'm going to have a rough day if I don't.
pambre - Random acts allow for everyone to get a treat.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do you think that teachers have a lot to do with how well the students behave for a sub?
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, I do just about the same thing.
al-IA - How does this work in high school situations?
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, yes I do. Very much so.
pambre - Yes as first year teacher are hard to sub for.
Sue/TX/Sub - What do you mean by that, Pambre?
pambre - HS students love random acts the most.
Janet/AR/Host - Al, I only sub for the elem. does anyone ever sub for the high school?
mary - Here is my dilemma. I am interested in teaching kids critical thinking skills, and I am good at that, however, if the class isn't under control, I can't get them engaged in the material. While I feel competent in some areas, I feel incompetent in classroom behavior.
Debbie - Some of the best behaved classes that I have subbed for when I first started were the classes where the teachers had strict rules about behavior. Many double the consequences when there is poor behavior for a sub.
pambre - First year teacher often have trouble themself.
al-IA - Mary, try this site, www.disciplinehelp.com
Janet/AR/Host - Al, that is a really good site.
pambre - Logic problems and mazes and riddle are skills most behave for because students do not realize this part of ed.
mary - Debbie, that is another question. How much do you tell the teacher about the students behavior. If their behavior is poor, isn't that a reflection on me losing control of the class? Hmmm...
Lori/WA/sub - My best experiences are in classes where the teacher holds the kids accountable for their behavior. I rarely have problems. Now for the ones that don't...it can be a nightmare, esp. in the high school.
Janet/AR/Host - mary, not at all, most teachers know who you will have trouble with and who you won't have trouble with.
pambre - HS classes seem really good or off the wall.
mary - Thanks, Al. I'll be sure to check out that website.
Debbie - If I have to report a student it is usually one who misbehaves on a regular basis. Remember I have been doing this for 6 years. The teachers, principals, parents, and students know me.
Sue/TX/Sub - I subbed for a 5th grade teacher the other day. She had a few more things to do before she left. Those kids were horrible. They behaved the same for me.
Janet/AR/Host - I have come up with a Substitute's Message Sheet. Would anyone like me to email on to them.
al-IA - You know you are in trouble if they are bad for the reg teacher
mary - Debbie, I am new at subbing and I'm trying to get more and more jobs, so I feel that part of the misbehavior is my fault.
Debbie - I have one of my own. I would love to see what you use Janet.
Sue/TX/Sub - I then subbed for a second grade class that was the perfect dream come true. I know their teacher and she has very high expectations for them. They were wonderful. I didn't need to use bribes, just honest praise.
al-IA - No, Mary, it is a test.
Janet/AR/Host - It is a sheet that lets the teacher know everything she/he needs to know. Saves subs time from having to write out a long note.
mary - Janet - put me on your sub message sheet.
pambre - I will send a student to office but these same students do reappear over the year so I try to learn to deal with problem students.
Debbie - Mary, you have to take control the moment the students enter the room. I usually give the older kids a word search or another puzzle to work on while I take attendance etc.
al-IA - Me, too Janet
Sue/TX/Sub - I'd like one of those sheets, please.
Lori/WA/sub - I'd love to see your message sheet!
Janet/AR/Host - Mary, the message sheet is a sheet that a sub fills out for the teacher.
Janet/AR/Host - Teachers can even use it in the sub folder. PM your email addys and I will send it to you.
Sue/TX/Sub - I have found that is I start off the day with grades 4 and 5 like I really mean business, the students do perform a lot more cooperatively. I just need to learn to be consistant.
al-IA - Marym if you go into the class with confidence and the 1st student who does even the slightest thing wrong you nail him. The rest will shape up in a hurry,
Janet/AR/Host - I am also compiling a list of things a sub can bring with them into the classroom.
mary - How should a fairly inexperienced sub present his/herself to a class that the sub doesn't know ?
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, don't we all. LOL
al-IA - Sue, consistency is my biggest problem,
Sue/TX/Sub - Mine too, Al.
Janet/AR/Host - mary, just relax with the class. The students can sense when you are nervous.
pambre - If class does not know me, I spend a good deal of time telling them aboume
Janet/AR/Host - Is everyone on the sub mailring?
Debbie - Introduce yourself. Tell them a little about you. I have kids and I let them know this. Be firm but fair. SMILE. Kids hate screamers.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do you start off the day telling something about yourself
Sue/TX/Sub - Do you start off the day telling something about yourself
pambre - I let students know what I like most and what I will not let happen.
al-IA - I intro myself, tell them where the reg teacher is and say we have lots of ground to cover so we best get started. I bring a few things alsong to share at the end if needed
Debbie - I tell them what I expect--behavior-wise. I let them know that the same rules apply as when their regular teacher is there.
Janet/AR/Host - If anyone would like a copy of the Sub Mess. Sheet one can email me at llihpw@prodigy.net and let me know.
Sue/TX/Sub - How do you handle transitions from one subject to the next?
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, can you explain about the mailrings?
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, I usually follow the lesson plans out of the teachers planbook and it usually goes like clockwork because the students are use to the routine.
Debbie - I try to follow the teacher's daily schedule. Transitions are easiest when they have completed a seat work assignment. Then you just tell them to finish up and you move on.
Lori/WA/sub - I find that the kids handle transitions better when I give them a few minutes warning. They also love to have the schedule on the board with the times so that they can keep track of the day. too.
pambre - Transtion are harder with older students.
Janet/AR/Host - Well al, you go to the chatboard and click on the mailring icon and then click on the mailring you want to get mail from like the Substitute Teachers Mailring and then click on subscribe.
Debbie - Today and tomorrow I am in a 3rd grade that is departmentalized. Transitions are easy because they move from class to class.
Debbie - Lori--schedules on the board are great.
Sue/TX/Sub - I get really good results with telling the students that we will start, for instance math, when I'm finished counting backwards from 20 to 1 or 10 to 1. While I'm counting, I will stop and give directions on what book to get out, what page to turn to, etc. It works really great with most classes.
al-IA - Yeah, that is how it goes for me too, Janet
pambre - Debbie how do you handle changing to new group that does not know you yet. This is hard for me.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do the schools that you go to require the students to be quiet in the hall while changing classes?
Debbie - Again, I have been doing this for so long that I am well known. When I was new, I would take a few minutes for an abbreviated introduction.
Debbie - The school I am in right now has classrooms off the media center. The students are supposed to be quite. It is a challenge for all the teachers.
Lori/WA/sub - I think it definitely helps to be in the same classes over & over because the kids get used to the way you do things.
al-IA - I can use some of these ideas in block classes.
Janet/AR/Host - I greet my students at the door and the students really like that. I stand outside the classroom door and greet them.
al-IA - Debbie, when do they let off steam
Sue/TX/Sub - What ideas do you use to keep the students quiet in the halls?
Debbie - In our district, the sub caller likes you to repeat classes.
Debbie - Recess.
Lori/WA/sub - I think that's a great idea Janet!
al-IA - I try to greet each of them as they come in. It shocks some of them
pambre - Janet that goes for older students as well.
Debbie - I also greet them by the door. I get lots of hugs from the little ones.
Janet/AR/Host - Same here Debbie. Has anyone subbed at an alternative School?
al-IA - Door greeting sets the mood in the rough classes, at least for me
Janet/AR/Host - Me too Debbie and isn't that wonderful!!!
pambre - I have and I like doing this very much.
Janet/AR/Host - al, I have to agree, it makes the students respect you more.
Debbie - Janet--it makes this job worthwhile.
Sue/TX/Sub - What are alternative schools?
Janet/AR/Host - It sure does Deb.
pambre - Alternative students are often easier than regular middle school students.
Sue/TX/Sub - Do you mean private schools?
Janet/AR/Host - Alternative Schools are for those students who can not handle public school settings.
al-IA - Anything is easier than regular middle school students LOL
pambre - Alternative may be Behavior disorder or emotioal problems
Janet/AR/Host - i will be subbing in one Wed.
Janet/AR/Host - al, they are a hormonal group! LOL
pambre - Rules in these schools back up all teachers
Sue/TX/Sub - Oh, I don't know if we have one of those in my district.
Debbie - We don't have any alternative schools in my district.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, they sure do!!!
al-IA - It is sometimes the students last chance to make it.
Debbie - I won't sub in middle school or high school. Middle School age kids are just too tempermental and I live with 2.
Sue/TX/Sub - What is the average teacher student ratio in alternative schools?
pambre - Debbie where do your problems go.
Janet/AR/Host - Are any of you certified teachers who are subbing? I am.
Lori/WA/sub - Yes.
al-IA - Certified
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, The class I will be subbing in has 8 students.
Debbie - Into special ed. ED classes, or out of district into private placement.
Sue/TX/Sub - Yes, I'm certified, but got my degree a long time ago, in 1973!!!!
Debbie - Yes I am certified.
pambre - My degree is in social work. But I have subbed for 12 years.
al-IA - Hey, Sue, 1968
Janet/AR/Host - I am cert. in elem. ed/spec. ed./and social studies. I sub hoping to land a teaching position eventually.
Debbie - Sue, I got mine in '76!
Janet/AR/Host - I got my degree in May 1995
Debbie - I also sub hoping for a REAL job. Sure is discouraging.
Janet/AR/Host - I was a late starter though.
al-IA - Do any of you take extra classes and does that make a difference in your sub pay?
Janet/AR/Host - Debbie, I know how you feel. I would really like to teach in the alternative school.
Janet/AR/Host - Sub pay here is $44.00 a day. LOL
Sue/TX/Sub - Hey, Al, I graduated from high school in 1967. Worked for a couple of years during college break.
pambre - Janet this job does not always land you a job. Have you tried residential facility.
al-IA - Having talked to you before, Janet, I am sure you would be great in that setting?
Debbie - I can't afford to go back to school on sub pay. It wouldn't make a difference in pay. We just got a raise to $60.00 a day.
Sue/TX/Sub - I feel too old to teach full-time.
Janet/AR/Host - Thanks Al.I feel I could make a difference there.
al-IA - I enjoy subbing and really am not going for a steady job.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre what do you mean by residential faciality. Like a human recourse center of sorts?
pambre - Sue you are not too old.
al-IA - Pay is 66 per day. Lots of larger districts paying 70-85
Janet/AR/Host - With all kinds of diverse students there?
Janet/AR/Host - I sure am underpaid here. LOL
Sue/TX/Sub - Well, Pambre, maybe not too old, but too tired for all of the late night and weekend work. I'm also much too disorganized!
Debbie - Even with the pay raise, it is hard to get subs here. Today the school I was in was short a sub and it is only the 13th day of school!
Janet/AR/Host - al, it is always a pleasure talking to you. We have talked many times in the lounge.
al-IA - Sue, I have gotten more organized. I hate to do it, but it is a matter of survival.
Lori/WA/sub - I'm in a very small district & am getting $82.50 per day. I feel very fortunate after seeing what some districts pay!
Janet/AR/Host - There is a big sub shortage here and I feel that has an impact on giving on a position.
Debbie - Now I'm feeling very underpaid!!
pambre - Janet , I mean a live in facility for children. Our local JV correctial facility hires sp. ed. teachers.
al-IA - Yeah, we are short of subs, but doesn;t seem to raise the pay.
Sue/TX/Sub - I've held several long-term sub jobs and I really enjoyed them all, but because I'm so unorganized, I was just working constantly without any time for myself or my family. I much prefer the two or three days per week that I pretty much choose. I get to do housework, etc during the other days.
Debbie - I think after chatting here before, there is a sub shortage EVERYWHERE.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, I know what type of school you mean now. We have some but the closest one is about 60 miles away.
Janet/AR/Host - Are any of you specially challenged yourself? I am.
pambre - I have learning disablity. I learned to read in 4 grade.
Sue/TX/Sub - I am an unorganized-procrastinator!!!
Janet/AR/Host - Well I am hearing impaired.
Sue/TX/Sub - Funny, Pambre!!
pambre - Screen keeps freezing .
mary - My disability is that I get easily distracted. Classrooms offer too much stimuli for me!
pambre - I was really called retarded till HS>
al-IA - Sue, you just have to set down a few minutes at a time and get it together. It is hard at frist, but when you see how much easier your life becomes it is worth it.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, what type of learning disability do you have?
Debbie - I talk too fast. I have to concentrate or the kids pick up on it. Then they can't keep up with me.
al-IA - I have a teenage son. LOL, does that count?
Sue/TX/Sub - Thanks, Al. I do feel more organized this year. I put a lot of my papers in folders where I can find things now. So, I am getting better.
pambre - I do not really know why I had so many problems but I was consider retarded till soph. year when I started writing more papers.
Janet/AR/Host - pambre, it sounds like they had given you a label.
Debbie - al, I have a 15 year-old daughter and twins who will be 13 in Nov. Do I qualify?
al-IA - Sue, everyone compliments me on how organized I am...if they only knew.
Sue/TX/Sub - I'm soooo sorry, pambre. I thought that you were just fooling. You always give such great advice on the message boards. Please forgive me.
Janet/AR/Host - I wear hearing aids in both ears and it helps me a lot.
al-IA - Pambre, how did you break the label?
Lori/WA/sub - Well, I've got to run. My kids are hungry! Have a good week of subbing ! It was great to chat with all of you & hear all your ideas! Bye.
mary - Janet, when does this group meet again?
Janet/AR/Host - night Debbie, Thanks everyone for attending. Hope everyone can join next months meeting.
al-IA - Do any of you feel you can pick up on stuff that the reg teachers miss?
Janet/AR/Host - Mary, the 3rd Monday of every month. I will be posting messages about it.
Sue/TX/Sub - I have one more question, please??? How do you handle pack up time while getting ready for dismissal? Do you ask for complete silence?
Janet/AR/Host - al, definately!!!
pambre - I still have problem when tired and I have other problem which sp. ed. teachers see. But my math. is wonderfull and what I write makes wonder sense. But I drive Eng. people crazy.
mary - Al, good question. I think I can pick up on who knows what and who plays the game of "guess what the teacher wants".
Janet/AR/Host - Sue, depends on the grade level for one. How the classroom is set up and so forth. If the class has tables and not desk the quietest table goes first then so on.
pambre - I require everyone to give me a personal good by. This requires some quiet.
al-IA - Sue, I don't ask for the impossible. Quiet is defferent than silence
mary - I don't think my response made sense. Let me try again. I can tell if students are reciting or if they really know something.
Janet/AR/Host - al, I allow for whispering but no outloud talking.
mary - Al, how is quiet different than silence?
Janet/AR/Host - This gives the students some freedom.
al-IA - Mary, it allows for some natural releases without being out of control
Sue/TX/Sub - Most classes don't know what quiet whispering is.
Janet/AR/Host - Well everyone this is the end of the meeting. It is now after 10:00. Thanks everyone for attending the meeting.
Janet/AR/Host - al, I agree with you!
Janet/AR/Host - Hope to see everyone at the next meeting.
pambre - Thanks!
Sue/TX/Sub - Thank you Janet and everyone it was fun. Janet can you put your e-mail on the screen again, please?
al-IA - I understood , Mary. If you ask the ?s differently from the teacher you can actually send the reciters into a tail spin!
Janet/AR/Host - Thanks, I have learned a lot tonight!
Janet/AR/Host - Sure! llihpw@prodigy.net
al-IA - Bye, everyone. This was a good meeting!
Janet/AR/Host - Bye everyone!!!
Sue/TX/Sub - Thank you Janet. Good night all.
