I have a few classes, but one class in particular that continually waste time. Therefore they are incredibly behind on projects. They are the same group of kids that had a hard time last year.
Yesterday the class that I had wasted so much time during instruction time (they are generally okay during work time, for the most part) that at the end of class I called them all to the carpet to come up with a plan for how we are going to fix the problem. They told me that they are the only class that has assigned seats in music. Also in gym on their "first offense" they sit out for rest of the class. So apparently it is not just in the art room. When their teacher picked them up- I let her know that we had talked about behavior and hopefully come up with a plan to fix it. She said that she is really working with them on it too. They loose out on a lot of fun activities- i.e. Friday Fun.
I talked to the gym teacher to see how he is working that out, does he give a warning- then out or what. He doesn't give a warning, he said by now they know the expectations and he is tired of punishing the whole class for something that they didn't all do.
I am wondering how this would work for art? I am hoping that I would only have to do it a few times for them to realize that I am serious and to begin doing what they are supposed to.... my problem is that if I don't then they are even further behind. Also, what do they do so they aren't distracting the rest of the class. Do they go to the office?
Anyone have any thoughts/ suggestions???
I don't know what age you teach so take this with a grain of salt as I am coming from an early childhood setting. It sounds like this particular group of kids is being "punished" quite frequently. In early childhood we try to focus on the positive even in the negative situations, which isn't an easy thing to do. Turning the negative comment into a positive... if a child is lying on the floor during circle time, saying "I love it when you sit at circle time." Maybe try to find ways to reward and focus on the good behaviors???
ReplyDeleteThanks! This is a 3rd grade class.... I have tried the "I really like how _______ is sitting quietly." or "Thank you ______ for following directions." type of comments. It seems to only affect the kids that are following directions. :( I have also tried just rewarding the good behaviors, but it doesn't seem like the kids that need to learn from it care- which makes it really tough.
ReplyDeleteI will just keep trying. :) Thanks Again!
I find that involving parents really helps. If you have a couple of students that are causing the problem. Have them call mom or dad while you are right there. They never want to do that, and it might show that you are dead serious about their behavior. I once observed an art teacher who have behavior contracts. You could design a behavior contract for that particular student and have it posted on the wall. If the contract is broken, you can come up with the next best solution...alternative projects (not as fun ?), call home, sent to the office, etc. Come up with some related consquences for the students causing the problems though.
ReplyDeleteI have done the phone call home when I taught upper grades, but the thought never even crossed my mind to have them call home at the elementary level.
ReplyDeleteI also like the behavior contract- I might try and make one for just this class, since it is a different dynamic than any of my other classes.
Thanks!