Contagious energy

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Home : 2002 : November : 25

Contagious energy
By Cheryl

Sarah,
I'm high energy too and I usually have a noisy class. I have been worried about it in the past because I think many of us tend to associate good teaching with quiet classrooms. This year I've felt better about
that noisiness for two reasons. First of all the noise is usually working noise. Listen to what is being said. I have found that it's kids talking about work and that's wonderful. Also, I put a lot of procedures into place at the beginning of the year (Thank you Harry Wong and Proteacher) and I can pull my kids back easily when I need them to be attentive. One trick I learned from

this board is to use the words "No Talking" when that's what you mean. No Talking means no talking while quiet means it's OK to talk. I knew at the beginning of the year that I wanted no talking in the halls and I demand it. Also, during seatwork I demand no talking by setting a timer for the amount of time I feel the majority needs to finish the assignment. Those words "No Talking" have worked wonders for me.