My name is Sarah and I am a graduate student at the University of Maryland. I am pre-testing a survey for a course project and I would really appreciate your help!! Would you please take 10-15 to fill out this online survey to help me complete my project on teaching social skills in the classroom? The survey is completely anonymous, as I am not collecting any personally identifying information. Please feel free to e-mail me at [email removed].
Thank you very much for your participation!
Here is the link to the survey (which I created through google forms):
[link removed]
Sincerely, Sarah Graduate Student Measurement, Statistics & Evaluation University of Maryland [email removed]
I teach Spanish I and II. This problem I have is mostly with my ninth-tenth grade students. I teach in a small room with tables, with 3-4 students to a group.
Here is what is really frustrating: When it comes time for independent work time, I am able to get the students quiet at first. Then, after a while, very slowly the almost inaudible whispers start, then they gradually increase. Who is doing it? I can’t tell. I look around and I don’t see anyone speaking, but I hear several students whispering at once. Then, more and more join in. I tell the class to be quiet, but very little difference is made. I can’t identify who is really doing the talking, because they are so discreet in their mumbling. Eventually it gets to a level I am uncomfortable with. It’s not like I can single out a single student at this point, because so many students are talking at once. If I punished one student for talking, it wouldn’t be fair to them because so many others are already talking. What do I do?
I feel that I do great with teaching Spanish, but when it comes to classroom management, I admit that I am weak. Admitting I have a problem is the first step to recovery, right! :)
I want so desperately to do this right next year so that I don't have this noise problem one more year. Teaching with tables is really difficult. What things do any of you do to help with this issue???
I'm guessing not so why do you allow independent work time to continue when it's clear they're not working?? When the whispers build to more than whispers, it's time for independent work time to be over.
As for calling parents during the middle of class, I know at least one teacher at my school that has done that. I did it a few times during my first years of teaching, but not much since then. It was very effective the time I didn't in my last period of the day a few years back. The students just loved to chat in there. I called one girl's mom at work and handed the phone to the student after a quick explanation, and the girl got real quiet as did the class. She didn't have so much attitude. But I was inconsistent about it. It seems like some classes come along and just want to push the envelop. I also remember having one girl talking during a test. I called up the mom and had their girl talk to her. Well, the girl started arguing with the mom on the phone in front of the class and that didn't work. So, I kicked her out of class. Needless to say, that girl eventually ended up having to go to an alternative school until her senior year anyway.
One administrator, although supportive, mentioned that there might be a privacy issue with calling parents during the middle of class. So, I don't know. I could wait until the class is dismissed to make a quick call with the student there, but I feel like the consequence should be more immediate than that. It might not have the same effect as doing it while the class is present. It definitely would be nicer in a way so I don't have to wait until my prep period, my lunch or until after school to make parent phone calls.
I teach mostly freshmen and sophomores. Calling parents during class might be more effective with them than with juniors and seniors because they view themselves as more mature (although some of them don't act that way) and don't like it when mom and dad are involved. They would feel like they were being treated as children. And I know, at least, for seniors, they are close to eighteen and some don't pay much attention to what their parents say. Some of them have a fallout with their parents and go live with friends, etc. I know that happened with one of my seniors in Spanish II this year when he had a fight with his mom over something.
Anyhow....
On 5/20/11, Mae in Texas wrote: > You will have to tell me if you think this tactic will work in > high school, but for me, if a kid gets out of control and > becomes a true disturbance, I will put them on the phone to > their parents -right then, right there. Mae
On 5/21/11, Daniel Hanson wrote: > This was a thread from the High School chatboard that I > wanted to get your guys' feedback on as well. I teach in a > public high school in California. > > As for calling parents during the middle of class, I know at > least > one teacher at my school that has done that. I did it a few > times > during my first years of teaching, but not much since then. > It was > very effective the time I didn't in my last period of the day a > few years back. The students just loved to chat in there. I > called > one girl's mom at work and handed the phone to the student > after a > quick explanation, and the girl got real quiet as did the class. > She didn't have so much attitude. But I was inconsistent > about it. > It seems like some classes come along and just want to push the > envelop. I also remember having one girl talking during a > test. I > called up the mom and had their girl talk to her. Well, the girl > started arguing with the mom on the phone in front of the class > and that didn't work. So, I kicked her out of class. Needless to > say, that girl eventually ended up having to go to an > alternative > school until her senior year anyway. > > One administrator, although supportive, mentioned that there > might > be a privacy issue with calling parents during the middle of > class. So, I don't know. I could wait until the class is > dismissed > to make a quick call with the student there, but I feel like the > consequence should be more immediate than that. It might not > have > the same effect as doing it while the class is present. It > definitely would be nicer in a way so I don't have to wait until > my prep period, my lunch or until after school to make parent > phone calls. > > I teach mostly freshmen and sophomores. Calling parents during > class might be more effective with them than with juniors and > seniors because they view themselves as more mature > (although some > of them don't act that way) and don't like it when mom and > dad are > involved. They would feel like they were being treated as > children. And I know, at least, for seniors, they are close to > eighteen and some don't pay much attention to what their parents > say. Some of them have a fallout with their parents and go live > with friends, etc. I know that happened with one of my > seniors in > Spanish II this year when he had a fight with his mom over > something. > > Anyhow.... > > On 5/20/11, Mae in Texas wrote: >> You will have to tell me if you think this tactic will work in >> high school, but for me, if a kid gets out of control and >> becomes a true disturbance, I will put them on the phone to >> their parents -right then, right there. Mae
NicoleI can see how it might be effective. However, I might send them to the office immediately and have them call from down there to avoid the privacy issue. On 5/21/11, Daniel Hanson wrote: > This was a thread from the High School chatboard that I > wanted to get your guys' feedback on as well. I teach in a > public high school in California. ...See MoreI can see how it might be effective. However, I might send them to the office immediately and have them call from down there to avoid the privacy issue. On 5/21/11, Daniel Hanson wrote: > This was a thread from the High School chatboard that I > wanted to get your guys' feedback on as well. I teach in a > public high school in California. > > As for calling parents during the middle of class, I know at > least > one teacher at my school that has done that. I did it a few > times > during my first years of teaching, but not much since then. > It was > very effective the time I didn't in my last period of the day a > few years back. The students just loved to chat in there. I > called > one girl's mom at work and handed the phone to the student > after a > quick explanation, and the girl got real quiet as did the class. > She didn't have so much attitude. But I was inconsistent > about it. > It seems like some classes come along and just want to push the > envelop. I also remember having one girl talking during a > test. I > called up the mom and had their girl talk to her. Well, the girl > started arguing with the mom on the phone in front of the class > and that didn't work. So, I kicked her out of class. Needless to > say, that girl eventually ended up having to go to an > alternative > school until her senior year anyway. > > One administrator, although supportive, mentioned that there > might > be a privacy issue with calling parents during the middle of > class. So, I don't know. I could wait until the class is > dismissed > to make a quick call with the student there, but I feel like the > consequence should be more immediate than that. It might not > have > the same effect as doing it while the class is present. It > definitely would be nicer in a way so I don't have to wait until > my prep period, my lunch or until after school to make parent > phone calls. > > I teach mostly freshmen and sophomores. Calling parents during > class might be more effective with them than with juniors and > seniors because they view themselves as more mature > (although some > of them don't act that way) and don't like it when mom and > dad are > involved. They would feel like they were being treated as > children. And I know, at least, for seniors, they are close to > eighteen and some don't pay much attention to what their parents > say. Some of them have a fallout with their parents and go live > with friends, etc. I know that happened with one of my > seniors in > Spanish II this year when he had a fight with his mom over > something. > > Anyhow.... > > On 5/20/11, Mae in Texas wrote: >> You will have to tell me if you think this tactic will work in >> high school, but for me, if a kid gets out of control and >> becomes a true disturbance, I will put them on the phone to >> their parents -right then, right there. Mae
With regard to student swearing, I hear a LOT of it at my school. Out in the hallways everyday as I walk back and forth from the back of campus (where my classroom portable is) to the front of the school (where the office and the staff lounge are) and I hear it in my classroom as well.
Our student handbook says that students may be suspended or expelled for habitual profanity or vulgarity. If we write a referral to the office for the use of profanity, obscenity, or vulgarity among students, the student is assigned Saturday School. After the second time, the student starts getting suspended. If the referral says the profanity was directed toward the teacher, the student automatically gets suspended.
At my school there was one dean that if I wrote a referral for profanity, the student automatically got suspended on the first offense. I thought that was a little too much. So, I decided to pick my own battles. Some teachers issue a verbal warning for the first time and then write the student up if he or she continues to swear. As for me, lately, I've just been giving verbal warnings about it because I don't want to write referrals for it. I could probably easily write 3 or more referrals per class period for each time I heard a student swear in class. However, the thing is: I personally don't like to hear swearing...period.
So, do you think I should be consistent next year and just start writing referrals every time I hear a student swear in class?
On 5/21/11, Bulldog says NO!...more inside wrote: > First of all, "shut up" is polite where I came from (L.A.) ha-ha > Rude was "shut the *&%%$ up". > Second, cursing at students is not acceptable by ANY adult > within the school system. This includes sports coaches (where I > here it the most). I will admit I have said the word He'll > (less the apostrophe) when refering to places, but to just out > and out curse is inappropriate. I had a group of students one > year that were very foul-mouthed. I instituted a cuss jar. > Everytime a student cussed, s/he had to put his/her name in the > jar. At the end of the semester, there were only 2 of 21 > students without their names in the jar. Those students were > given a gift card for $25 for a restaurant of their choice. the > money came from our Honor Society. The other kids in the class > complained how it wasn't fair, but when I explained that part > of "honor" was self-control. The next year I had several of the > same students for their 12th grade Government class. Amazingly, > they asked if I was going to do the cuss jar again. I said yes > and the class had 10 of 18 that got gift cards. > > Bulldog!
The plan outlined above still doesn't work. On average, I take about 3-4 cell phones a week. I hate this part of the job. It is time consuming to call parents about this.
Middle School TeacherIn my opinion, there is a zero tolerance policy for cell phones in my classroom. Cell phones today can access the internet through service providers regardless of school policy, they can video tape (not permitted in school), they can record audio (not permitted in school), they can take pictures that could be posted on facebook or other online soci...See MoreIn my opinion, there is a zero tolerance policy for cell phones in my classroom. Cell phones today can access the internet through service providers regardless of school policy, they can video tape (not permitted in school), they can record audio (not permitted in school), they can take pictures that could be posted on facebook or other online social sites without a teachers or students permission (not permitted to take photos in school) and I can go on here. Basically, if I see a cell phone out in my classroom the student is sent to the Deans office. There is NO excuse. Students are told to keep cell phones in their lockers, not on their person. The deans have the right to look at the phone, to confiscate it and lock it up until the parent comes and picks it up at the end of the day. I also keep my own record of the students name, date, etc. This helps me to know if it is an ongoing problem. It also protects me from any responsibility with respect to touching a students personal property. Make the rule clear from the start. Explain your reasoning. Keep the interaction with the student impersonal, follow the rule every time with NO exceptions and the students will learn that using a cell phone in your class is not an option.
Calling parents has worked well, too. Over the years, I've had a number of students whose cell phones have simply vanished after I called Mom or Dad to point out the connection between the texting all day and the lousy grades.
It helps to remind the kids, too, that their devices are designed to be addictive, and that nobody from Apple or Verizon or T-Mobile care whether or not they graduate, as long as the phone bill gets paid.
On 5/22/11, Ekeating wrote: > It is so frustrating. I teach 9th and 10th grade science > classes. I am at my wits end with the use of cell phones > in my classes. I have enforced the following rules and > consequences in the classroom when a student is caught > using a phone in class: > First time - take phone away and keep until the end of > school day. Call home and explain the next time the parent > will be required to pick up the phone. > Second time - take the phone away. Call home and request > for a parent to pick up the phone at their earliest > convenience. > Third time - Phone is taken away and brought to the Asst. > Principal's office where a parent is called and the phone > must be picked up by a parent at their earliest convenience. > > The plan outlined above still doesn't work. On average, I > take about 3-4 cell phones a week. I hate this part of the > job. It is time consuming to call parents about this. > > Does anyone have any suggestions??
The more I teach, the more I feel like in public education teachers have less and less rights. As teachers, we should give, but also receive respect from the students we serve. I was truly saddened by this story and could relate with the teacher in many ways (school districts automatically siding with students over their own employees, etc.).
There's no downside here. Has the subbing gone well? It sounds as if it has and I admire your approach as a sub. Some subs think their job is to be ultra strict and they end up only making students angry and resentful.
Why would you be different as a teacher or a student teacher? In my own classroom I have your approach as a sub - as long as my students behave and hand in their work, I'm not very strict. It can work.
If you become strict for no reason, what would that accomplish? Maybe I'm missing something here but I don't understand why you would automatically need to have a different approach when you're in your own classroom.
I'd also say this - kids accomodate. That they know you already is a plus, not a minus. If you have to make adjustments in your manner, they can adjust to that so long as there is good reason for your change. I say to a class, "Today we have more to do, we're behind, we have to pick up the pace, no fooling around, let's go." And for a day or two or a week, we're not laid back and they accomodate - with some grumbling of course.
And for the upcoming semester, you're student teaching - you'll need to accomodate to the expectations of your mentor teacher. If subbing has gone well for you, likely student teaching and teaching on your own will go well for you too.
Public High School Spanish Teacher and former sub (for 4 years)
On 6/15/11, ML wrote: > As a sub, disciplining students can be an even more > delicate issue. If you take a cell phone away from a > student early in the day, it can spell out a very > tension-filled day ahead. I love the basket idea, and I > think if more teachers subscribed to this practice, it > would be considered the norm for students who would more > willingly participate. I think I will give it a try as a > sub, when I announce my "rules" of the day (in a pleasant > way) and see how it works. Students today really need a > strong work ethic, especially now, with all the many > possible technological distracting interruptions that we > are exposed to. Technology advances are good, but a new > protocol must be set up to better regulate their use in the > classroom, and everywhere.
On 6/15/11, ML wrote: > As a sub, disciplining students can be an even more > delicate issue. If you take a cell phone away from a > student early in the day, it can spell out a very > tension-filled day ahead. I love the basket idea, and I > think if more teachers subscribed to this practice, it > would be considered the norm for students who would more > willingly participate. I think I will give it a try as a > sub, when I announce my "rules" of the day (in a pleasant > way) and see how it works. Students today really need a > strong work ethic, especially now, with all the many > possible technological distracting interruptions that we > are exposed to. Technology advances are good, but a new > protocol must be set up to better regulate their use in the > classroom, and everywhere.
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