same situation - a couple of ideas

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2003 : October : 24

same situation - a couple of ideas
By S.E.

Like you, I'm in my 3rd year; 1st year very tough class, last year awesome group, and this year, a quirky group of 27! For me, I have only 1 A level student, and only 2 of my 14 boys are not hyper, rude or without learning
disabilities (no joke!!).
What has worked for me:
- very structured environment with basic lesson formats and explicit routines, lots of opportunities for praise and reward, punishments given often and regularly for missed homework or talking out
- individualized rewards (e.g. my "hyperest" two love to draw, so I use that as an incentive to finish their work; if they like horses,

bring them a horse book from the library, etc...)
- I use the Marble Jar- each of my 6 groups has a different colour of marble; I add and remove marbles for various behaviours and if they get 1/2way up the jar by Friday noon, they get a 1/2 hour "free" time- extra gym, computers, etc... (Today was the first week this year!!); plus the group with the highest total at month's end wins a little treat.

It took me about 4 weeks to get them into my routines and some are still adjusting. The first two weeks of school, I thought the year was going to be a nightmare because they just couldn't sit still and listen! Now, they are much better and even work quietly for up to 1/2 hour at a time without reminders (only on good days, of course).

Basically, it's just keep rehearsing routines, and being very simple and organized that's kept me going. Plus, connecting with them individually and encouraging their strengths.

Good luck!