classroom management

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Home : 2004 : February : 16

classroom management
By debbie

I am in some big trouble. I came to my class in October, a mid year hire. I really messed up in the beginning, giving my kids a lot of freedom, allowing them time to get to know each other (my class is a result of kids from
three other first grade classes because there were so many kids) and now I am seriously paying for it. They aren't bad, but they can get quite loud.
My principal was in for yet another observation last week and during out meeting he showed me a tally of my kid's behavior during a math lesson. The first ten minutes was lecture-it was a new concept. Then I gave them a worksheet to work

on togehter. Well, during the lecture I had something like 10 kids off task. During the worksheet, only about 3. Well, the ten killed me. I was told that I am too lenient and do not follow through. I was more or less told that if I don't get my act (and the class's) together, I would not be here next year. My principal is a good guy, I think I may be making him out to be mean, and he did tell me he will be there to support me, that he wasn't giving up on me, that other than classroom management, I am doing well.
Okay, I just want some ideas. I am pretty scared. I want to keep my job. I love working with the kids and my school and colleagues are great. He does not like rewards. He does not like names on the board. So, here is what I and a couple colleagues have come up with:
Go over the rules and consequences every morning and afternoon. Each child gets three chances. The first time a child 'breaks a rule' they have five minutes of recess taken away and I write their name on a clipboard so I don't forget. I tell the child he or she has lost the time and why. The second time, it is the entire recess and the third time it is either principal, other classroom for time out, or letter/phone call to parents (made by the child), depending on seriousness of what has been done. I also told the kids I will write notes home or phone calls letting parents know what is going well.
Do these sound too harsh? Do they sound okay? I still feel there is something else I could do. It boils down to the fact I am too lenient, I give reminder after reminder and it doesn't work. I feel like such a failure and I want to do well. Any ideas?