non-stop talking

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Home : 2002 : May : 3

non-stop talking
By Linda

I also have the problem of students carrying on too many side conversations - even to the point of them getting up to go over and chat with a friend while I'm teaching (subbing). One effective technique I learned was to
consecutively add up the number of minutes it takes for the students to attain silence, be seated and pay attention (I use a stop watch to get the exact minutes and seconds). This tally of "lost time" is permanently recorded in a corner of the blackboard so it won't accidentally get erased, and it is always in full view. When the tally reaches 15 minutes, the class loses a recess. They

must stay inside and work.

You will find that when you pull out the stopwatch, there will be peer pressure on those kids who are slow to settle down. I've used this with 6th graders so I don't know if it would work with younger students.

Good Luck.