I'm starting back at my PGCE this coming year (had to leave half way through due to an acute illness), and thought this would be the perfect forum for improving this area of professionalism. Some ideas on reward systems (mature versions) for secondary pupils are also welcome. Thank you...
2006-08-24 09:40:19 · 7 answers · asked by jay_gatsby 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Some things that have worked for me: send home a postcard to one child per class each week. Say something like "Susie is doing a great job in math class... etc." The students will tell each other about it and when word gets out they will try to own their own postcard.
Call a parent to say "Johnny seems to be picking up science well. Please tell him to keep up the good work." Word gets out FAST that you phone home. They do not want a negative call. The other plus: if you DO have to call for bad behavior or grades the parent seems to take it more seriously because you called previously to say good things. MANY parents tell me that in 9, 10 or 11 years of school they have never had a teacher call just to say something positive.
Kids will do anything for a piece of candy. Some teachers will toss out pieces for correct answers. I have bad aim so I usually just give it for prizes.
I give stickers for good scores. The kids love them (and yes it is high school). I do not put the sticker on the paper but I hand it to them and they start a collection on their folders.
When you have excessive talking act on it immediately. Send a student to the hall (or I send them across the hall to sit in the office until class is over). Call the parent that night. Tomorrow you will not have the problem. If you do not act on it immediately you will have the problem all year.
My daughter's teacher gives tickets for homework or sometimes for answering questions. She will randomly hand them out when a student comes in and sits down right away and takes out supplies. The kids write their name on the back of the ticket and put it in a container. On Friday's the teacher takes 5 minutes and draws a few names. The kids choose from a prize box; homework pass, a free late pass (w/in a few minutes), candy, pencils. My daughter loves it. It is like elementary school, but no one does those things in high school.
2006-08-24 11:42:49 · answer #1 · answered by Melanie L 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Content-wise, don't rush them along--make sure they understand what the issues are and why they're important. Try to give them the larger picture.
Be firm but fair. "Firm" means that you have expectations as to behavior which will without fail be met. If you're in a really bad place, and have very immature kids, have them practice it. Nothing can happen until the class is running in a way you feel comfortable.
This doesn't mean you have a silent and grim classroom, but the fun stuff happens in the context of a school, which requires a certain amount of decorum.
Use positive reinforcement whenever possible, but don't be shy about removing someone when they do anything outrageous. It's difficult, when you're standing up there in front of a really unruly crowd, not to get pulled in ten different ways at once. Don't let that happen. If things aren't to your liking, slow it down, and reboot.
2006-08-24 12:15:47 · answer #2 · answered by Benjamin N 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, the best way I could think of is giving the pupils high expectations from day one. Telling them that you're sure they will behave and participate in class, because they're good, responsible people. Giving them credit is very important. Also when a pupil does something wrong, tell him/ her that you know that he will improve, and that you sincerely believe this was a one time mistake. I'm no expert, but it sure worked on my secundary class. :-)
2006-08-24 09:49:17 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Talk to the parents. Let one sit in once a week or once every two weeks. The kids won't know who the "guest" parent will be, but they should be on their best behavior.
2006-08-24 09:48:20 · answer #4 · answered by cornbreaded23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start sending people to the office, giving them detention... don't put up with crap... They'll learn fast... and don't talk AT them talk TO them, don't make them feel like you're being controlling.
2006-08-24 09:44:18 · answer #5 · answered by lilmissheiress 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Scare the ever living crap out of them the very first day.
2006-08-24 09:45:49 · answer #6 · answered by jodaco01 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
USE POINTS FOR THINGS - GOAL TO POINTS UP ON MAJOR TEST OR QUIZ
2006-08-24 09:43:17 · answer #7 · answered by CHer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋