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Needy Students Driving Me CRAZY

by Gayle

Feb 22, 2008

/blockquote>

I need help!

I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th
grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with
students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like
these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met.

During many lessons I walk students right through many of...See More

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Susan On 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: > I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this > EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY > get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to > an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how > inconsiderate and rude it ...See MoreOn 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: > I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this > EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY > get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to > an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how > inconsiderate and rude it is to interrupt ANYONE..let alone an > ADULT..and how they are also breaking one of our class rules and > the AGREEMENT we signed at the beginning of the year...One of > the consequences is to put their name on the board and if they > end up with 2 checks they will miss our FUn friday celebration. > I have tried so many things with this class..that Positive > reinforcement is the closest thing to working that i've > gotten...and we're already 3/4 of the way through the school > year....and i'm seriously losing my mind too. I also pass out > gold coins to reward positive behaiviors..and the students can > cash in their coins at the end of hte week in the treasure box > if they have a total of 10...otherwise htey have to be saved for > next week. (Sorry about the typos...i'm typing extremely fast > right now) > > Anyway..just wanted to let you know that after 2 years...i'm > going through the same thing...and it seems to differ from class > to class. My class last year was absolutely nothing like this. > I actually thought their behavior was bad...but when I got this > class I realized it was nowhere near this...and that honestly > last year I was being hard on myself! If anyone has suggestions, > I will GLADLY take ANY suggestions because I have been pulling > my hair out ALL YEAR. I separated all of my groups today and > made my students move their desks into straight rows..which they > will remain in until after Spring Break..until they can prove > they can follow directions..and I told them we will not be > playing fun games..just doing paper work ..so they can see how > good they had it before..(I know it may sound harsh..but the > students act so unappreciative all the time and very > disrespectful to me and each other.) We did a lot of hands-on > stuff before (that's the way I normally teach)- but they're > probably going to be in for a lot more boredom over the next > couple weeks...honestly. > > I'm a little frustrated because just when I have a system in > place, I end up getting another new student...I've gotten like 6 > new students this school year...and lost like 2..now at a total > of 21.which isn't bad compared to some states, but the > inconsistency is just ridiculous! (The coming and going isn't > helping the classroom management!) > > MMM-2nd grade teacher > > On 2/23/08, Kristy wrote: >> Gayle, >> >> Many teahcers feel the same way you do. Why? Because your >> situation happens to many teachers. I have a few >> suggestions. 1. Clearly state what you do and do not >> expect from the students. Say, "When I am the teacher...I >> expect that you raise your hand while in your seat if you >> have a qustion. 2. Write it down / make a little poster. >> 3. When a student does not follow the rule, do not answer >> their question or respond...just point to the poster. When >> the student returns to their seat and does the expected >> behavior kindly call on the student to answer their question >> or tell them you will be with them in 1 minute. 4. You must >> be consistent. I have even writen on my palm, "Raise Your >> Hand". It works, but it takes patience. >> "I don't get it?" - If it is the same five students every >> time, make it a part of your lesson plan to pull them into a >> small group right after everyone else is started to do a >> more intensive guided practice. Remember to ask questions >> about what they do not understand, sometimes they may not >> even know. You can also do talk-throughs...as a small group >> or have the student talk you through until they do not >> understand. Express that you want to help them and it is ok >> to not understand. >> Have a group reward for everone completeing an assignment. >> Look at positive behavior support articles for ideas. >> >> Kristy >> >> On 2/22/08, Gayle wrote: >>> I need help! >>> >>> I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th >>> grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with >>> students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like >>> these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met. >>> >>> During many lessons I walk students right through many of >>> their homework problems as examples, and always ask if >>> anyone has questions. Once they start working independently >>> on questions, five kids in the class always raise their >>> hand and say to me, "I don't get it!" very whiny needy >>> sounding. Usually I give them a couple of prompts to get >>> them started on the problems and they do fine, and then I >>> encourage with "You knew it all along!" but day after day >>> they will just sit and stare at their paper instead of >>> trying it on their own because they "don't get it." There >>> is no motivation to finish assignments, so if they don't >>> get it, they just don't bother. >>> >>> The students also come up and interrupt me when I'm talking >>> with other students. Today I was speaking with a student >>> during independent work time and a boy came up to me and >>> interrupted to tell me that when he went to the office they >>> gave him a new icepack. I snapped at the student that his >>> comment wasn't something he needed to interrupt me with, >>> and then I felt terrible about being rude to him. I don't >>> want to be a bad teacher who snaps at students. I >>> understand that these students just want approval, but as a >>> human being I cannot handle so many interruptions when I'm >>> trying to work with students. >>> >>> I've spoken to my cooperating teacher about this, but I >>> think she enjoys feeling needed because she always jumps in >>> to help students even when they don't need it. What can I >>> do to keep myself sane when my students are so needy in >>> class?

July/08

boy do I know what you are talking about! UGH What has helped me is this........ I have a leader of the day and a student of the week. The student who wants to interrupt me (usually during guided reading) They have to: 1. They ask the leader of the day 2. If the leader does not know, they ask the student of the week 3. If neither of them know, they can ask anyone at their learning table. 4. THEN, if none of those students could help, they hold up a red piece of construction paper to get my attention.Then I will help.

(if they come to me without permission, they have to sign their name in a spirol notebook( I do not get up from my teaching table) at the end of the guided reading time their name goes on the board.

Has worked so far......... Hope this helps Susan

Jul 19, 2008

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Kim in CA 4th grade I notice that the original poster talked about a period of direct instruction and of practice, but do you have a chunk of time dedicated to the students showing you that they can master the concept before they move on to the independent practice. Have you thought of using whiteboards? In math especially I teach the brief lesson- broken into steps l...See MoreI notice that the original poster talked about a period of direct instruction and of practice, but do you have a chunk of time dedicated to the students showing you that they can master the concept before they move on to the independent practice. Have you thought of using whiteboards? In math especially I teach the brief lesson- broken into steps like you mentioned. After that we practice together- I'll do a problem and pick a non-volunteer or two to randomly to fill in parts that I leave out- usually on the overhead or main whiteboard. Then I give them some work to "show me" that they've got it. When I can see most of them have finished, I say "1, 2, 3, Show me." This prevents them from copying. In that brief couple of minutes I can see who's got it and can set them loose on the independent practice while I work with the small group that didn't get it yet. If more than about 20% of my class doesn't get it, then it is my fault and I repeat the steps, we do another problem together...etc.

As far as the interrupting situation, I usually joke with the rest of the class about it. Something like a think aloud, " Hmm, this morning when I awoke, I only had one shadow, but now it seems I have two... I wonder why that is... hmm." I continue to go about my business as if that student doesn't exist until they go back to their seat and raise their hands at which point I acknowledge them with a joyful response to their concern. Usually after one or two attempts at getting in my face to get the information, the rest of the kids in the class will call out the word "shadow" and they get a kick out of it while the realization that this is a behavior that even their peers don't condone makes them stop altogether.

We also have a rule in class that states that students are to be problem solvers. This means that if they have a problem with something and didn't do all they could to solve it independently, they'll have a consequence for it. I repeat a little rhyme :Ask three before you ask me. This means they need to try to figure it out with the help of three students in their immediate vicinity. If those students can't help them, then I make it a point to do it myself.

On 7/19/08, Susan wrote: > On 2/27/08, MMM 2nd grade teacher Florida wrote: >> I'm in my second YEAR of teaching (2nd grade this year) and this >> EXACT situation fits me to a T.....I have kids that CONSTANTLY >> get out of their seat to interrupt me, EVEN WHEN i'm talking to >> an ADULT>..and i find myself snapping...explaining how >> inconsiderate and rude it is to interrupt ANYONE..let alone an >> ADULT..and how they are also breaking one of our class rules and >> the AGREEMENT we signed at the beginning of the year...One of >> the consequences is to put their name on the board and if they >> end up with 2 checks they will miss our FUn friday celebration. >> I have tried so many things with this class..that Positive >> reinforcement is the closest thing to working that i've >> gotten...and we're already 3/4 of the way through the school >> year....and i'm seriously losing my mind too. I also pass out >> gold coins to reward positive behaiviors..and the students can >> cash in their coins at the end of hte week in the treasure box >> if they have a total of 10...otherwise htey have to be saved for >> next week. (Sorry about the typos...i'm typing extremely fast >> right now)

>>> On 2/22/08, Gayle wrote: >>>> I need help! >>>> >>>> I just finished my fifth week student teaching in a 4th >>>> grade classroom and I'm losing my mind. I've worked with >>>> students K-2 and middle school before, and I feel like >>>> these 4th graders are the neediest kids I've ever met. >>>> >>>> During many lessons I walk students right through many of >>>> their homework problems as examples, and always ask if >>>> anyone has questions. Once they start working independently >>>> on questions, five kids in the class always raise their >>>> hand and say to me, "I don't get it!" very whiny needy >>>> sounding. Usually I give them a couple of prompts to get >>>> them started on the problems and they do fine, and then I >>>> encourage with "You knew it all along!" but day after day >>>> they will just sit and stare at their paper instead of >>>> trying it on their own because they "don't get it." There >>>> is no motivation to finish assignments, so if they don't >>>> get it, they just don't bother.

Jul 23, 2008

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Need directions to make a "Light and Learn" type board

by Sharon

Mar 9, 2008

/blockquote>

I want to make a "Light and Learn" type board for one of my
el. ed. classes, but can't find the directions to do so on
the internet. Is there a better name to use for the device
that is made with electrical circuits (wires, battery,
small light bulb). Help!

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Sharon /blockquote>

On 3/09/08, Sharon wrote:
> I want to make a "Light and Learn" type board for one of my
> el. ed. classes, but can't find the directions to do so on
> the internet. Is there a better name to use for the device
> that is made with electrical circuits (wires, battery,
> small light bulb). Help!

Mar 9, 2008

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2nd Grade Centers

by Cindy

Apr 11, 2008

/blockquote>

I will be teaching 2nd grade next year. It's been 10
years since I taught this grade level. Any center ideas
or teaching units that you recommend?

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Nia You can find free file folder games at [link removed]

On 4/11/08, Rebecca wrote: > Does anyone know of a website that I can download free file folder games for > centers? Grades K-3. Thanks. Rebecca

May 24, 2011

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Jen On 5/24/11, Nia wrote: > You can find free file folder games at [link removed]

Heaps of math center activities here:

May 26, 2011

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Learning Center About Plants: Any Help?

by Nikki

Apr 15, 2008

/blockquote>

Hi! I am a pre-service teacher and I have to create a
learning center for above, below, and on grade-level
learners about plants. Does anyone have any suggestions??
Any help would greatly be appreciated! Thank you!

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High School Work Stations

by FL Teacher

May 22, 2008

/blockquote>

I would love to start some work stations for my high
school students. I have to use the Sourcebook and Impact
book in this course. Any suggestions for an intensive
reading class in central FL?
Thanks

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Kimberly Haverkampf I am just beginning to use workstations and would love inspiration on how I can best use these. I am an alternative teacher with a 2-hour block of time that I can use as I wish for instruction. I am fortunate because I have lots of technology: 2 computers on the network, 4 regular Nooks, 1 color nook, 1 laptop, flatscreen t.v. with DVD player, and ...See More

Mar 27, 2011

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Kimberly Haverkampf I forgot to mention that I also have a boom box with 6 sets of earphones and tons of books, many classroom sets with audio version, and all are also on the Nooks.

On 6/16/08, Dani wrote: > I rotate among three centers in a 2 hour block of English and > my independent reading center consists of literacy baskets. I > include copies...See More

Mar 27, 2011

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Pen Pals for 2008-09 school year

by Larry LaBonte

May 29, 2008

/blockquote>

I am interested in having pen pals for my 10-11 year old
students for the 2008-09 school year which will begin
September of 2008. I will have approximately 28 students
and we are located in a rural community in the upper
peninsula. Email partners are also an option. Please let
me know if you are interest...See More

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Link for the Pen Pal Board /blockquote>

This is the Classroom Centers chatboard. For the Pen Pal
chatboard, see the link below....

On 5/29/08, Larry LaBonte wrote:
> I am interested in having pen pals for my 10-11 year old
> students for the 2008-09 school year which will begin
> September of 2008. I will have approximately 28 st...See More

May 29, 2008

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Decoration Ideas

by Michelle

Jun 6, 2008

/blockquote>

I need decoration ideas for my lesson area. The theme is
the inside of a rocket ship. I already have the children
entering a 'rocket ship' (rocket made out of cardboard and
they have to crawl through the opening). Then when they are
in the lesson area 'inside of the rocket ship.' I also have
a big fabric...See More

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Susan On 6/06/08, Michelle wrote: > I need decoration ideas for my lesson area. The theme is > the inside of a rocket ship. I already have the children > entering a 'rocket ship' (rocket made out of cardboard and > they have to crawl through the opening). Then when they are > in the lesson area 'inside of the rocket ship.' I also have >...See More

Jul 19, 2008

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Wendy Don't forget the controls and monitors for the air quality, fuel level, and contact with "Houston". Maybe even a research area because the real reason is to further science. On 7/19/08, Susan wrote: > On 6/06/08, Michelle wrote: >> I need decoration ideas for my lesson area. The theme is >> the inside of a rocket ship. I already have...See More

Jul 26, 2008

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Step-book

by Dani

Jun 16, 2008

/blockquote>

I found this in the book Teaching with favorite newberry
books and would like to try it but the directions are
confusing. Can anyone help me figure out how to make a
step-book?

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Vern/TX /blockquote>

I hope this is what you are looking for.

Jun 16, 2008

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Vern/TX /blockquote>

I hope this is what you are looking for.

[link removed]

Jun 16, 2008

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Upper Elementary Language Arts Activities

by Colleen

Jun 18, 2008

/blockquote>

I am going to be teaching Reading,Spelling,Handwriting,and
English (grammar & comp) to 4th, 5th, and 6th graders. Any
ideas on learning centers, or other activities for there
age? I've found plenty for the primary grades, and I'm
trying to think of how I could adapt some of those for older
kids. I'm havin...See More

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Wendy Been there, done that! There's not any, especially 6th. I teach 6th grade ELA. I went to work stations becasue I had a predominately special ed group of 25 right after lunch. I divided the students into groups and changed these groups weekly or bi-weekly depending on how indepth I made some of the projects. My stations were silent independent readi...See More

Jul 26, 2008

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WandaTx Colleen, I teach 5th. graders and they love center time. They get very upset if they have to miss them for some reason. I too do, SSR (Sustained Silent Reading), spelling/vocabulary activities--one that my students like is -- a clear shower curtain made to look like the key board of a computer. One student has their vocabulary/spelling words on ind...See MoreColleen, I teach 5th. graders and they love center time. They get very upset if they have to miss them for some reason. I too do, SSR (Sustained Silent Reading), spelling/vocabulary activities--one that my students like is -- a clear shower curtain made to look like the key board of a computer. One student has their vocabulary/spelling words on index cards, he/she says the word and the other student uses a small stuffed frog (my room is a frog theme) to hop the correct spelling of the word. If he/she is right, then, gets to go on to next word, if misses, then the students change places. I also implement modified folder games for some of my grammar teks. One that I just completed was on contractions, my students still have difficulty with some-- especially who'd, who's, I've, she will. So I took the lower level matching folder game one step higher. After locating the pairs, the student must write sentences using each contraction he/she has chosen. This will show that me that they can construct sentences using the correct form of the contraction and hopefully this will transfer their writing. I also do reading task cards--a card with teks that gives them a specific tek to work on and complete a project. Example--read a book. Then, sequence the story into at least six (6) main events. After that, they must complete a project showing their work--a project can be a sentence strip showing sequence using clip art/their art to demonstrate sequence, or computer program called Insipration where they would make their own sequence project.

Hope this gives you some ideas. If you would like to share ideas I would be more than glad to do so.

On 7/26/08, Wendy wrote: > Been there, done that! There's not any, especially 6th. I > teach 6th grade ELA. I went to work stations becasue I had a > predominately special ed group of 25 right after lunch. I > divided the students into groups and changed these groups > weekly or bi-weekly depending on how indepth I made some of > the projects. My stations were silent independent reading, > spelling/vocabulary, writing/journaling, small group > instruction, and independent/make-up work. I set a timer for > 20 minutes and they rotated through each station daily. For > variety, you could meet for longer periods of time in each > station, but my students needed the faster pace. By teaching > this way, I was able to differentiate the lessons more > easily. Email me if you have any other questions: > [email removed].

Jul 27, 2008

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Need new math center ideas - 2nd grade

by KathyB2ndIA

Jun 27, 2008

I need some new math center ideas for second grade.

In the past my class has loved the Halloween Probability Spinners from the School Bell.

[link removed]

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