Welcome Guest!
Teachers are welcome to read and post on Teachers.Net.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post pics, links & comments
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
Welcome Guest!
You must login to comment on posts.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post links & upload pics
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
Welcome Guest!
Your account must login to post.
Login to access to these free features:
• Relaxed spam filters
• Post, comment, & upload pics
• Get notified of responses |
• Join teacher groups
• Apply to teacher jobs
• Post a resume |
by Daniel Hanson
Aug 7, 2011
Hello again!
I would like to discuss another issue that has been brewing in the back of my mind this past summer. Midway through the year, I started becoming lax about cell phone use in my class. I think it started with allowing one girl to listen to her iPod in class because she had shut down and planned on failing the entire course. So, ...See MoreHello again!
I would like to discuss another issue that has been brewing in the back of my mind this past summer. Midway through the year, I started becoming lax about cell phone use in my class. I think it started with allowing one girl to listen to her iPod in class because she had shut down and planned on failing the entire course. So, another girl started sneaking her earphones in class. I gradually went down the rationalization slope until I didn’t mind students’ texting each other unless we were taking an exam or a quiz. I know that there are some teachers at my campus who have given up on the cell phone and iPod fight. I was at a school assembly and was warning students to put their cell phones away and a history teacher commented on why even bother with it; they are doing to do it anyway. Also, this last year, the administration told us in a faculty meeting or two that they cannot handle a huge cell phone caseload and told us to use are discretion and that they would support us in the classroom if the student is using their phone or iPod because it was interfering with the learning environment. However, for in the hallway, during lunch, etc., we were told by the administration to just warn students to put away their cell phones. The school policy for cell phones is: 1st time submitted to office— student picks up the phone at the end of the day with a warning from the dean, 2nd time—parent has to pick up the phone and the student is assigned a Saturday school, 3rd time—student is suspended from school. As you can see, I’m sure the administration doesn’t want to deal too much with suspending students, which I don’t blame them.
Anyway, I don’t know what my position is on this issue now. I can totally see texting as the modern form of passing notes in class. I can totally see using cell phones and iPod/MP3 players to listen to music while working quietly (which many teachers allow, some even during and after tests). I know for some students, they really mellow out because they are allowed to listen to music. Sometimes I play music in the background while students are working. I tend to assign a lot of written book work. Also, sometimes when I find students pulling out their phones, I really do feel like they are checking the time. Kids are so used to looking at digital clocks that they are not accustomed to non-digital clocks, which is what the school has in every classroom. Should I purchase a digital clock so students don’t have the excuse of looking at their cell phone for the time? (At this point of the game, I’m okay with spending the money to do that if it would reduce the numbers of students who try to secretly look at the time on their phones.) Also, instead of having to pull a big dictionary off of the bookshelf in the back of my room, they can very easily use a Translator or Dictionary app on their phone. I probably would do the same thing if given the option if I wanted to know how to say something in Spanish or I didn’t know a word I was reading in the textbook or something. (The vocabulary used in the reading sections of the ¡En Español! Textbook series are notorious for using words not listed in the back of the book glossary and students can’t understand everything in the reading and get frustrated.)
On the other hand, there is still a part of me that feels guilty for allowing students to use iPods or phones in class because they should just be focused on my class and nothing else during the entire 56 min. period. They should learn how to read non-digital clocks. They shouldn’t be texting each other, even if it’s the modern version of passing notes. And there have been some students who are immature or irresponsible with their phones, like playing with their cam or other apps in class. I don’t want students to rely on technology to do their work for them nor will students fully remember and use the vocabulary in spontaneous speech if they haven’t worked with the vocabulary and grammar themselves.
Another part of the issue is do I want to go through with the cell phone policy and send phones up to the office according to the school policy (which the secretaries and administration will begrudge) or do I keep the phones myself like one teacher does, which leaves the office out of the equation to enforce the cell phone policy. He holds the phone ‘til the end of class, then holds the phone until the end of the day. Then, for the rest of the school year, the offender has to place his/her phone in a basket as they enter class. That seems like a possible problem because if the phone gets broken or misplaced while in my position, I get held responsible. It’s a lot safer to just send it to the office with a campus monitor or to take it up their myself in between classes.
Anyway, that’s one of my dilemmas I don’t know how to tackle.
Thanks for listening and for any guidance you can give me!
Public High School Spanish Teacher
I want to preface this post by saying that I hope this does not offend anyone. I am a female teacher in my late 40s who is also obese. I am losing weight but it is difficult. I never had classroom management issues until I turned 45 and gained weight. I'd rather not state what subject I teach but I will say it is a 9-12 grade environment with about...See MoreI want to preface this post by saying that I hope this does not offend anyone. I am a female teacher in my late 40s who is also obese. I am losing weight but it is difficult. I never had classroom management issues until I turned 45 and gained weight. I'd rather not state what subject I teach but I will say it is a 9-12 grade environment with about 75% male students and 25% female.
I strive to make lessons interesting and sometimes humorous. I have been in other younger and /or "in shape" teacher's classrooms and feel that their lessons are not as interesting. In fact, sometimes they lecture all period which I was told NEVER to do. But they seem to have a much better control of their classrooms, especially the younger male teachers. It seems the male students are more "afraid" of the younger males and the females think they are attractive or look up to them like an older brother. I cannot help but think that it is human nature that the students will listen better and be more likely to follow directions. They also seem to get more out of the students than I do.
I am wondering if anyone can give me suggestions on how to deal with this? The main management problems I have are 1) students constantly trying to get out their phones to text when I am not looking, 2) talking when I am giving a lesson, 3) completely ignoring me when I am giving out instructions, 4) forcing me to talk loudly because they just will not quiet down, 5) not working unless I am standing right over them. Again...it is not my intent to offend anyone. Thank you in advance.
by Daniel Hanson
Oct 8, 2011
Hello, everyone!
I feel embarrassed admitting this, but several years of teacher, I still don¡¦t know when I should be letting students move around and when not to. I teach high school Spanish and my class does a lot of written work with the textbook. So, some students want to move around to work with others (their friends and buddies, s...See MoreHello, everyone!
I feel embarrassed admitting this, but several years of teacher, I still don¡¦t know when I should be letting students move around and when not to. I teach high school Spanish and my class does a lot of written work with the textbook. So, some students want to move around to work with others (their friends and buddies, sometimes their very close friends ƒº). Some do it for the social element mainly. I remember in high school and I subbed in classrooms where teachers were okay with students moving around (like in math classes) and sitting with classmates to work on stuff. On the one hand, I can see how students like moving around because they want to socialize while they work. However, some students aren¡¦t mature enough to work while they socialize and just end up socialize and sometimes getting rowdy. These same individuals usually take longer to finish and are usually waiting for their classmates to finish the work so they can copy. Should I just flat out tell them they can¡¦t move around during the class period? Do I just deny moving privileges from certain students, causing some to complain that that¡¦s not far that some students get to move around and they don¡¦t?
I seriously cannot make up my mind on what my stance should be. Right now, I feel like some students feel like they have control over where they can sit in class during class work when ultimately, I should be the one with the last say as to where people can and cannot sit during class. (Obviously, I will have to give out detentions for students talking across the classroom because they can¡¦t go sit by their buddies.)
Please share your thoughts.
Confused, Daniel Hanson Public High School Spanish Teacher Atwater, California, USA
Hi, I have been reading several of the posts on this board and have found them to be extremely helpful and thought- provoking. I am certified pre-K-8 teacher who will be a substitute in an Urban school district. I have actually subbed as an uncertified teacher in a more rural district and absolutely loved it, however the number of jobs openings are...See MoreHi, I have been reading several of the posts on this board and have found them to be extremely helpful and thought- provoking. I am certified pre-K-8 teacher who will be a substitute in an Urban school district. I have actually subbed as an uncertified teacher in a more rural district and absolutely loved it, however the number of jobs openings are limited. So, I am headed for a larger district with more opportunities for beginning teachers. I also feel that I could make the most difference with the students.
Anyway, I am going to be with pre-K-8 for the most part, but I may do 9-12. Most of my experience has been pre-K-5. My biggest concern is classroom discipline, and how to handle the attention seekers and ring leaders. I look a bit younger than I am. And many see a sub as day off.
My plan is to exude a firm and respectful persona. I will stand at the door and greet students as they enter the room. I may also hand them a bell worksheet to begin working on, please and thank you. The AGENDA will be written on the board with two colors of chalk for every other line. Since I was told that some of the classess are 90 minutes long, a break time will be listed. Also, I was thinking of listing at the very end, Homework (they can get a head start on their homework) OR maybe "talk pass", a ticket they may take when they have completed the assignments. They would have to be respectful of neighbors who were still working. What do you think about this? Would it work for HS students? Would I be opening pandoras box? Or if they all completed early, go over homework together or play a quiet game? I used the game for elementary and it worked well, but haven't used for 6th grade and up.
After they complete the bell work, I explain how I would like them to pass it in to me. Then I do my intro and spiel. I review the classroom teacher's rules and expectations and I tell the classroom my own rules while I am their teacher today. They are 1)Be responsible for yourself 2)Be kind to others. I also tell them a little about myself and my interests. I tell them that I am a "real" certified teacher and that I am qualified to teach them, so they can relax because they are in good hands, and I will make sure that they have a productive learning day. I may also inject some humor by mentioning how relieved they must be to hear that.
I realize that I may not have a lot of time to establish a rapport with them, but I do think that it is possible. Any advice on how to earn the rapport and respect of my students in such a short time would be greatly appreciated.
As for breaking rules, consequences, I was told to follow the plan that the regular teacher has in place, but if there is none, or I am unable to locate, I would like to have a plan B. For repeat offender I really like the idea of writing a positive and affirming statement, paragraph. This would remove the problem temporarily and give them time to regroup. And since it would be positive statement, they wouldn't be on defensive? Thoughts? Ages?
I really don't want to resort to sending to office. I have heard of subsitutes being banned for sending to office. but of course, if I feel that I am in a situation I cannot control, I will absolutely call for help.
Thank you for any opinions or ideas.
Rachel
I know that in public schools, we are imune to "assault on a minor." However, I just learned that in a private school, the head coach was boys for not being clean shaven. Can he be charged????
by Joseph Rinaldo
Dec 27, 2011
Called "a must-read for every school teacher in America, and certainly for every coach" by Amazon reviewer Linda Hawley, Hazardous Choices tells the story of Darnell Jackson, a young African-American man living in a gang- infested area of Chicago. To save his life, he joins a gang and is forced to do things he abhors. When an opportunity to escape ...See MoreCalled "a must-read for every school teacher in America, and certainly for every coach" by Amazon reviewer Linda Hawley, Hazardous Choices tells the story of Darnell Jackson, a young African-American man living in a gang- infested area of Chicago. To save his life, he joins a gang and is forced to do things he abhors. When an opportunity to escape this deadly world is offered to him, he accepts gladly. A football scholarship to a small rural Kentucky college could be his ticket out and a life free of violence and fear. But will his gang let him go, and worse, when they find out he lied to them to break away, will they retaliate? Find out in my new ebook release at [link removed].
next page »
« prev page
Teacher Chatboards
