A serious question for teachers?

Question

I'm a 4th and 5th grade math teacher and I need some help and advice. Three of my classes are great but one of them (4th grade) is, let's just say, not so great. They don't listen, they hate working and they've made quite a reputation for themselves. On my first day, all the teachers warned me about them and when I went to the class, the girls said to me themselves that they are really bad and that no one likes them. They called themselves dumb and bad.

I need to improve their behavior and get their attention. Any ideas please? I feel like Michelle Pfieffer in Dangerous Minds except I'm a math teacher, not an English teacher so I can't use the sentence "I want to die".

Please, please, please help!

Thanks

Answer 1

Well look at the bright side, at least you have 75% of cooperativel classes. One thing I would first recommend to you is that you NOT listen to other teachers but you form your own opinion about students and classes. As a music teacher and technology instructor I have 600 students but I am always hearing about , "Johnny's no good, he can't learn, he's trouble!" RUBBISH! Every student can learn, even if their behavior is a problem. It's my job to break through the shell and find what makes them click. It's totally possible that your problem 4th grade class is either run by a few bullies, slower at math than other 4th grades, ahead in hormones, not able to adapt to your teaching style (sorry - I know that one is always hard to think about) or jsut plain belligerent. Here are some ideas:

* Go back to the basics with them, skill and drill as much as appropriate to give them all some confidence and of course review.
* Divide them into teams and have them work cooperatively in groups of 2, 3, 4, and 5 if possible. If you can stand it, esp. the noise, allow the boys together and the girls together at times.
* Use different technology to wow and impress them! (this gets harder all the time but maybe they will can be duped!)
* use some math games, even if it's just concentration for math facts or concepts.
* Create some sort of bell ringer for when they walk in the room. Lots of teachers call these morning work. It will put them right to work as soon as they enter the room.
* Use the computer lab as reward, maybe for every 10 classes they behave they will earn time in the computer lab. There are lots of math sites you can use with them...
aaamath.com
aplusmath.com
iknowthat.com (requires individual registration for each student...but there are lots of fun math games that look like video games on there!) If you don't have a lab, crowd them around one computer and do it as a class.
* Create a reward system , store kind of idea where they earn points for good behavior as a group or individually and then buy (or have items donated) that they can purchase. Usually once a marking period. They can even keep their points in a check book ledger, and you as a teacher can make deposits or withdrawals for good and bad behaviour.
* Now this is contorversial BUT, you can always bribe themas well! Doesn't always work but i have found it to be useful at times esp with REALLY difficult classes. "If you behave and do all you homework and I don't need to speak with anyone I will give 5 minutes of free time to talk at the end of class." Or any idea that they like ( you could poll them on these options!)

Last piece of advice, try to stay positive even when it feels like they are dragging you down. Good luck!

Answer 2

I taught in a school full of those kids.

First, don't coddle them. Don't tell them that even though nobody else likes them that you do.

Next, keep them after class one day- or even better- pull them out of lunch one at a time and have individual meetings between the principal, them, and yourself...one at a time. Start with the strongest one- the leader. Ask her what the problem is and what you can do to help solve it. This may take some time so be prepared. Most times it has nothing to do with school. Listen, repeat back to them what you heard by saying something like "So, what I hear from you is that..." and complete the statement in your own words. Then ask her how she thinks you can make things easier, and again, repeat what she says in your own words. If her ideas aren't possible, ask her to come up with another idea. Don't leave until you get one good answer that you all can agree to work with. make sure that you include consequences if the student doesn't follow through with the agreement...these consequences should be developed by the student WITHOUT help from the instructor.

If you do this as a group it won't work, but doing this individually will alert the others that "something is up" and by the time you get to the weakest student the problem is often solved.

Once you agree on a plan of action with the student, write it down (including consequences), have them sign it, then follow through.

Answer 3

Everyday have them say "I am capable of learning". These kids have unfairly been labeled as bad and dumb. Instead of focusing on negatives, give them some positives in the classrooms. Mail post cards to their homes with a quick note saying how well they did on a project or how they are improving in an area. You can send home a written note, but chances are the parents won't get them.
Create an "look what I did folder" have them put in papers that they did well on, or anything else they feel proud of.
They might feel stupid asking questions. Provide a box where they can write down a problem or concept that they are having difficulty with. They can even let you know if they need a little help, or I totally don't get this. Then take time to go over them in class, make them feel that is OK to ask questions.

Answer 4

I am a teacher and have had this exact scenario thrown in my lap many times before. What you need to do is
'create a climate in which everyone wants to achieve self-discipline'.

There are a few steps you need to take. There is no easy solution, as I know you are aware, so take the time to follow these steps and rest assured it works!

Step one: Solicit administration for a substitute to take this class for three consecutive days, during which time you will pull one third of the class out to a designated interview spot each day.
Do not be selective, just pull 1/3 out each day.
Step two: Conduct a Q/A session with each group. Ask questions such as 1. Why does this class have such a bad rep? 2. Who is responsible for the bad rep? 3. Who is the boss (leader) of the class? 4. Is the work too hard/easy? 5. What do you think would help this class change it's reputation to a better more positive one? 6. Is anyone hurting you?
Accept all answers and keep a record for each group.
Step three: Choose one student (spokesperson) from each group to join the subsequent qroup. Usually the one who is most vocal (answers most of the questions).
Step four: Arrange a meeting (at lunch or after school) with the final three students you choose from each group.
Step five: Clarify the facts (pertaining to your line of questioning during the group discussions)
Step six: Ask for the feelings of these three, associated with the facts. ie. How does it make you feel when you hear the class has a bad rep?
Step seven: Ask for solutions. Acknowledge every suggestion even if they say "hang so and so from the rafters." Record every possible solution. (DO NOT MAKE ANY SUGGESTIONS YOURSELF) The students have to own this problem. Afterall you already know how things could be better.
Step eight: On the fourth day return to the entire class and display the identified problems and the solutions. (mention no names)
Step nine: Go through each one asking for a show of hands if they agree or disagree with each one.
Step ten: Identify the top three problems and the top three solutions.
FINAL STEP: Create a set of class rules with the entire class, based on the above process.
It is now your job to clearly state the beefs and bouques for non compliance or compliance. ie if the identified problem is noise and a possible solution is to hold up the baby finger and thumb until quiet is restored and is adhered to by all - each child might receive a small token (smarties work great). If, on the otherhand quiet is not restored (set a time frame) by everyone - no one gets a treat. IMPORTANT: do not give the reward immediately. Hand out goodies at the end of the class (requires a little record keeping). Repeat offenders appear rapidly during this process, then you can deal with them on an individual basis - admin, parents, IPE etc.

Answer 5

It sounds like the class needs work on its self-esteem. Try to establish an atmosphere of trust but give them specific behavior rules to follow and penalties. Be consistent and administer the rules you have set.
I once was so frustrated with the behavior of a class that I tried something drastic -- and it worked! I gave every student 100 points as a behavior grade, then subtracted one point for each time a student broke a rule. Amazing improvement.

Answer 6

Introduce them to different types of art/design making projects that deal with math. Such as a grid enlargement drawing, origami, tessellations (simple ones) and then get more difficult.
Some kids like to do or think they are not doing the math concepts if they are doing alternative assignments.

Explain to them that you don't consider them bad., that everyone has some good points to them and they all have different talents.

See if you can take them out on a math field trip, perhaps pair up with another 4th grade teacher and share the trip with their class. (later in the year) if you think they have improved.

Answer 7

I think I might disregard anything the other teachers have told you. Give these kids a positive attitude (without looking fake) and keep them busy, busy, busy.
A few group projects where they can interact with each other might help them to get to know each other and develop some positive self esteem. How about a class play, a puppet show (they can make the puppets themselves). (I give you this advice realizing that sometimes there is very little extra time in the daily schedule).
Someone has reinforced these feelings for the kids, or they wouldn't be voicing them so readily. I'll bet you can make a difference for them, good luck!

Answer 8

What you might want to try is to maybe figure out something that they all like to do, like playground equipment or basketball or football, or some kind of tv show like spongebob squarepants, or Jimmy Neutron. Put that into your math equations, or make it into a game that all of you can play. Like how the do the parachut in gym, make it into a tent or something and whoever gets the right answer gets to come out. I have found that that is the easiest way to get kid's attention.

Answer 9

a mix of here...? -consistent with possibility detect a fashion for somebody to advise to him that folk understand he does this and that if he would not supply up he can get in difficulty. this style he feels undesirable yet appreciates that the scholars did no longer checklist him. -positioned on shirts that no longer so low decrease. -checklist him to college officers. you have each superb to try this if he's making you uncomfortable. be effective that he's doing it however by way of fact it could have severe consequenses for him. in case you do no longer experience mushy coping with your self, you may tell your mothers and fathers and that they are going to attempt to help. even with the undeniable fact that irrelevant action should not be tolerated, many mothers and fathers tend to react dramatically to issues like this and attempt to get instructors fired however.

Answer 10

Give individual help when the class is working from a text book,
patience and humor, consistency and firmness and do not ever let them think that you do not like them.

You could get some tips from Dangerous Minds too ...lol