behavior

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Home : 2005 : May : 6

behavior
By Hifiman

I feel your pain. I've had some classes, 3rd - 6th grade that just can't seem to work together at all. I've used the free time incentive with questionable success. It seems to me it should work, but often it just doesn't.
I just don't know what to do with the classes where no one seems to get along. I have been told by some teachers to send an offender or two to the office with a citation, which will send a message to the rest of the class. I haven't done this yet, but maybe I should.
As for the practive of name and checks on the board, I think that has value. It is used by just about every classroom I

have been in. I think the other poster's issue with this is confidentiality issues with the kids, but realistically there is NO way to keep things confidential in a classroom, so unless your district has specific guidelines against this go for it, I think this works fairly well.

As for the restroom breaks, not to pick on the other poster, but I cannot imagine taking the whole class to the restroom 3 times a day. If I did that I wouldn't have enough time to teach all of the day's lessons. I've never seen another teacher do that either - probably for the same reason. As a sub, I don't think it's possible to even try that, especially with a tough class.

I know going into the class that the bathroom "game" can quickly become an issue. Even though I'm prepared for it sometimes it gets away from me. When that happens I just say no. I give a brief warning that the opportunity will no longer be available and then put a stop to it. There are a few complaints initially, but eventually it becomes a non-issue. Of course I will make an exception if I'm convinced there is a real need. The only time I let them go freely is when it is a very young grade, or the bathroom is just outside the door to the classroom. I love it when the bathroom is so close - you know the fun factor is taken out just by the proximity to the classroom.

Good luck.