How do you control 2nd graders?

Question

I'm currently teaching 2nd graders at a summer school program. I know they don't take it very seriously because it's summer school, but they are getting out of control! I teach English and math, and there are a few ESL kids as well as some that are struggling with math. I am constantly required to give extra attention to these children, and meanwhile, the other children are always playing, running around, or screaming.

I've tried both positive and negative disciplinary actions. I give out stickers to the kids that are quiet and finish their work, and they can redeem a certain number of stickers for prizes. Also, no matter how angry I get or how much I yell at them, the kids don't get it at all. I am so frustrated and would like some ideas...thank you.

Answer 1

I think you need to see the movie "Kindergarten Cop" if you really want to know, how to handle those small little punks.

Answer 2

I am a teacher. AND I teach 2nd graders. The method that you use is irrelevant. What matters is that you STICK WITH IT. Be consistent! Kids need stability. This is a world of constant change. Families break up, remarry, split up again, etc. Kids are hurting, and they sometimes act out in ways that just MADDEN us as teachers. The first thing you need to do is quit yelling, it really doesn't affect them (as you already know). The next time you get into a situation say "Jonny, if you do that again, you will be put in 'time out'" (or whatever disciplinary action your school uses), and then, DO IT. Or, if that doesn't work, don't give a warning, the kids know when they are doing wrong, they are testing you to see how you will react, if it will bug you, if they can get away with it. They know that you are at your wit's end. Hide your fears, take control, keep your chin up. I made all the same mistakes as you my first year of teaching, but the main thing is to find a system that you can keep up with (stickers is fine) and just STICK WITH IT and BE CONSISTENT. Don't put up with nonsense, and love the kids unconditionally. They will turn around. Give it time. You aren't in this alone.

Answer 3

duct tape & prozac...no thats a joke,dont do that! seriously kids are constantly testing their boundaries & looking for attention whether it be positive or negative, if a small group is getting more attention from you than the majority its hard to say what might work, perhaps a teachers aide who can keep the others entertained & continually learning. smaller classes help but thats out of your hands & its getting to be where that will be impossible as population of the US continues to flourish. i wish i had a real answer for you but getting angry & yelling probably isn't helping any of the kids or you, maybe extra credit work for the kids that have finished i dont remember 2nd grade at all but maybe something like a word find or jumble that they do quietly at their desk with er rewards they really want, it doesn't hurt to ask them what they would like & what they would like to do during this down time. You might be surprised that when you talk on their level & get their input how much more engaged they are. Kids want discipline & attention, start there.

Answer 4

Something that works for me when I need to give one or two students special help during class with things that the other students already know is to play "little teacher". That way, you get to rest, and the kids who are doing well get a confidence boost from the power of being able to explain something to another student, AND the students who are struggling get the answers they need. It's win-win for everyone! Make the students who are struggling come to the board and try to work on a problem or question. When they get stuck, patronize the others: "OK, who knows the answer? Who can show Tommy how to do it?" Everyone's hand will raise. It's like a competition to see who is the smartest. Pick a student to help, and then move on to the next struggler. Pick someone to help them, and then you can focus your attention on the remainder of the students. It is important that you let everyone have a chance to "prove" to their classmates how smart they are, so don't always use the same partners/ pairs. Hope this helps!
Jen

Answer 5

Explain to them the importance of what you're teaching. Show them the relevence of what they are learning by showing them the relation(i.e. If they weren't there the day you taught addition and subtraction , they couldn't learn multipication or division.) When they did learn multipication or division, they'd have to learn double. Also, try giving them a test before they learn something. Explain to them you will give them all the answers all they have to do is pay attention, show them how much they learned and who paid the most attention.Then ask the ones who didn't get a high score why they didn't. Inspiration is they key to all learning. Why do they need to learn what you are teaching?How many times as adults have we tuned out people because we lost interest.Try teaching adults they are sometimes worse. Being an instructor, they want to give me the money and have a magic pill that gives them the knowledge. They want education that is like a drive-up fast food place. Good Luck

Answer 6

Use food to educate and keep their interest. Get a simple cookbook for children or write a few snack ideas or recipes down on index cards . Teach the kids by objects/quantity of food items (how many eggs do we need for this recipe? etc.) Let them take recipe cards home to make with their family .Also once a week make one of the recipes in the classroom with the classes help. There are a lot of no cook recipes. Remember to be sure and check for food allergies. If the ingredients for the weekly snack would be too expensive for you then send a note home to the parents on Friday telling them that you are gathering items for the recipe and let the parents get involved. This can include having a parent or parents as "celebrity judges" on cooking day. You can use the recipes to teach cost of ingredients and also the kids get involved in reading and spelling from the recipe cards and listing ingredients and steps.
When kids are out of control they are usually tired, hungry, or bored.

Answer 7

Whatever you do...make it fun and interesting. You might as well face it that you are not going to make a big enough difference in two months to bring the kids up to grade level to waste your time on discipline issues. The more the children are engaged, the less discipline problems you will have. I once made my entire room an under water ecosystem just to peak the interests of my students for summer school. I made little underwater creatures that had reading, writing, and math activities listed on them that I velcroed to the paper-covered three-layer paper ocean on my walls. Each ceature held some type of "school-related" activity that the children were eager to do. Simply walking into an "under-water world" in my classroom for the summer was enough to create enthusiasm and interest...and reduce problems. Fourth grade teacher of six years and summer school teacher.

Answer 8

I'm not a school teacher or a camp counselor or anything that deals with little kids. But I do have idea's and i'll try my best to solve your problem.

In my personal opinion little children don't do anything unless it is beneficial to them (neither do they see other people as people, meaning they lack scruples and a sense of empathy, which is why they can be so horrible to each other and their elders.) What you need to do is strike a deal with your 2nd graders. A deal that will get them what they want and get you what you need. This might be a little hard seeing as little kids want a good deal of things that are quite impossible to get.

You can also try www.wikihow.com and search "how to calm little children"

Answer 9

Summer school is almost over. Why didn't you contact some of your kid's parents from the beginning? I know a handful of us parents would love to be asked to help.

Either way....they know you are a push-over. You set down a line , they cross it, you re-draw the line. Stop that! Give your problem kids jobs to do.

Such as....." oh Josh, while you are out of your seat, please pick up the floor for me. " Sarah, ( a talkative, unattentive girl), , you have such a great speaking voice. Will you please tell everyone the assignment again?"

Take their negatives and make them positives, but most important, do not let those squirrels take charge of your space.

Answer 10

Have you tried Bill Nye The Science Guy? Pop in a video of Bill Nye...he is the coolest and they will learn something about science. Oh and after watching the science experiements on TV...try them in the classroom...you will amaze them as they sit around indian style in a circle and are well behaved.

Answer 11

Try to couple the theory behind the subjects with some interesting stories which kids always like to hear.You will definitely find a difference.