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Saturday, February 4, 2012
CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT... GOT SOME?
I must admit, I REALLY, REALLY struggle with this. Not that I don't use our "Quiet Spot" or use my Clip system but my little wild sweet kiddos just cannot sit at circle. Yes, half my class has an ADHD diagnosis, BUT that is NO excuse! (okay, I use it as one, I must say!). Still, I would love to have any and I mean ANY advice on class management techniques. I have hundreds, yes hundreds of books on this but I am beginning to think that perhaps I am not using one that works for ME. I am re-reading one of my favorite books called, "Kindergarten in Photographs" A mentor teacher shares effective organizing strategies and management tips to help you create a dynamic teaching and learning environment by Jasmine Greene. After reading about Whole Body Listening, I decided to make my own "little monsters" a chart to follow. I will be implementing this on Monday, so I will let you know. But in the meantime, PLEASE give me any advice. I would love to hear from any of you! Also, here is my "little monster" chart!
http://www.box.com/s/h5znxhrj4pbd8k63tnt1
http://www.box.com/s/h5znxhrj4pbd8k63tnt1
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10 comments:
I've never commented, but I've been reading your blog for a while and this post particularly rang true for me. I teach K-2 emotional disabilities and at the beginning of the year, I'm ashamed to say, we NEVER did circle time because it drove me up the wall. One wouldn't come to circle, another hit EVERYONE, another rolled around . . . etc.
We have circle time in the morning now, and we're getting pretty good at it! I use nonverbal signals (we have a few for "look" "sit" and "ready pose") to redirect kids if possible, but sometimes they aren't looking. Sometimes, if most of them are having trouble, I say, "I don't see anyone doing the right thing. I'm going to close my eyes, and when I open them . . ." and while my eyes are closed I give a few "I hope I see __________." prompts. They like to prove me wrong. Also, if they isn't anyone at all to reward for appropriate behavior, I make a small show of giving myself a tangible reward (m&m, gold from our token economy) for doing the right thing.
I do something very similar to your little monster chart. However, I call it "High Five for Good Listening". (This is just when they are raising their hands while I'm raising one of mine). When I am trying to get my kinders to be quiet, I just raise my hand on the carpet and put my finger over my lips. Then, as kids quiet down, I praise the kinder students who are doing what they should be doing (and giving me a high five back).
We went over the high five for good listening rules at the beginning of the year. They can't give me a high five unless they are doing the following:
1. Quiet mouth
2. Ears listening
3. Criss-cross applesauce legs
4. Quiet arms and feet
5. Eyes on speaker
I use a similar technique to Brittany, I just say "give me five" and my students should be doing all of those things!
Also, I give little rewards like one m&m or one candy heart... etc. When someone gets one everyone else tries a little harder..
Rachel
Ms. Rachel’s Room
This is kind of related....For students who are shouting out or talking when they aren't supposed to I raise my hand (to give a visual reminder of what they SHOULD do) and ignore their talking until they do what they are supposed to.
Before I started using this, I would remind students daily that we need to raise our hand to talk, and we would spend about 30-60 sec going over when it is important to raise our hand. I also give a lot of positive reinforcement for students who do raise their hand when they are supposed to.
One of my kinders with autism is even starting to raise his hand! YAY!
Good luck with circle time tomorrow:)
We are ALL Special!
Thank you ladies for ALL your wonderful advice. I will certainly try them all. I will keep you posted on how my class is going this week! Thank you again! :-)
I am right there with you! I have one little one who yells out across the room... gotta love him, but it drives me crazy! Thank you for the freebie. I am printing it right now and plan on using it tomorrow!
Do your students have a set spot that is consistent for them all the time or do you just let them go to a spot in the circle?
:) Marlana
Lil' Country Kindergarten
How creative to bring those whole body listening with something they love.. monsters :) so adorable! You are such an inspiration
Check out my NEW blog!
http://confessionsofanewteacher.blogspot.com/
Everything from fashion to organizational tools :)
Love your blog! :)
I wanted to use a whole body listening poster for next year and yours is so cute! As a fellow SpEd, I love seeing what you do with your "special" kiddos and I wanted to give you the One Lovely Blog Award! Thanks for sharing all the great ideas!
Allison
Miss Allison's Class
Read the blog on www.smartclassroommanagement.com Excellent ideas!
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