first graders

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Home : 2003 : March : 27

first graders
By Cathy-Dee

I teach first grade and yes they can be a chatty group.

I also have found that any rules we have in our classroom seem to fly out the window whenever I have a substitute in. I think for younger students they need a few
days to realize that the "new" teacher expects the same thing as their "regular" teacher.
First graders love attention getters - a bell, a noise maker, a chant or rhyme, etc., Take a few items with you the next time you are in a grade 1 room and explain right away to the class that whenever they hear this sound it means they need to freeze and turn on their ears. They love little

games and even competition so I will use those tricks as well. Statements like I wonder which group can sit the quietest or Who can line up the quietest - the boys or the girls?

It may also be a good idea to tell the class that you will be writing notes for their teacher. Let them know your notes will include why some work didn't get finished or which students worked really hard (or vice versa).

Also being firm and giving them direct demands sometimes is necessary. When my class gets carried away - I will have them put their heads down on their desks for a short time-out. During this time-out I remind them that when I am at the board doing a lesson they are not to be talking as well. I remind them that we need to be respectful by listening to others when they are speaking. Often that little reminder is all they need to get them back on track.

Good luck, they are wonderful to teach but they can be trying at times as well.