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I am a first year middle school teacher trying to figure out how to make things better when I get back to school in January. In college, I was told that bringing out good behavior is better than focusing on the bad things students do. Although this has been true for me to an extent, it does backfire. When I compliment something a student is doing behaviorally (usually a 6th grader), I usually get 2 or 3 other students shouting out that they were doing the same good thing. This happens all the time. (Furthermore, when I call out a student for doing something bad, they bring out someone else doing the same thing, making me look unfair). I can't possibly see everything at one time, and I tell them this. What can I do to continue using a positive approach while calming down the students I didn't recognize at a certain point in time?

2006-12-18 09:42:47 · 4 answers · asked by coolman293472 2 in Education & Reference Teaching

4 answers

Middle schoolers are old enough to get sarcasm. Use it. When you call out their immaturity, they'll more than likely stop. "What about me? I'm sitting up straight too!" An easy response is, "Wow, that's great. Too bad I wasn't talking about you." It sounds harsh, but eventually they realize the point is to compliment someone in particular. Their time will come. If you're not into sarcasm, you could just say you were trying to point out a positive trait in someone you noticed in the class and let them know you were praising the trait moreso than you were praising the student. You're happy when ALL of your students are behaving well. As for the kids calling out other people not behaving, I don't tell them I can't see everything at once. I tell them it's simply not the point. If YOU'RE doing what you're supposed to be doing, you won't be called down. It's not about anyone else but them. I have the same problem with my 3rd graders. I'm surprised they're still doing it at that age! Maybe you could throw in a "I know a 3rd grade teacher whose students act JUST like you! I didn't realize acting like a 9 year old was in style." Again, it sounds harsh, but it's a language middle schoolers understand.

Another effective approach is to simply ignore the students who talk out of turn to draw attention to themselves and continue to praise the good behavior you see.

Best wishes!

2006-12-18 11:57:58 · answer #1 · answered by elizabeth_ashley44 7 · 1 1

My favorite poster and banner I have hanging over my board is a picture of Garfield, pointing a finger at a Garfield pointing back. Between the two is a phrase that all my students know. "You are responsible for you."

I tell them that I don't want to hear about what everyone else is doing wrong. I'm only concerned about them.

I'd start by having a frank talk with your students. Tell them that calling out is bad behaviour. So even if they were doing the correct or expected behaviour that you complimented, they did something bad when they called attention to it and disrupted class.

Then give out your compliments or behavior proddings, as you will, but give negative consequences for calling out, even if they were doing what they were supposed to be doing.

Also, a lot of times, quiet compliments are better than group compliments. Walk up to the desk and compliment as quietly as possible to that student. It really motivates them without having other kids try to compare and compete for your attention... because most of the time, that's all they want: your attention, negative or positive.

All new first year teachers worry about being fair. The only advice I have is get over it. It is impossible to be fair in the eyes of every student, especially if you have special ed modification you have to implement.

Hope this helps.

2006-12-18 09:57:43 · answer #2 · answered by omouse 4 · 2 0

I get similar behaviors from my 6th graders. The way I deal with it might not be for you; I have a particularly strict teaching style.

I told my students on the first day of school that if I talk to them to correct their behavior, they are NEVER to answer back, unless to say "yes, ma'am." I tell them that if they want to talk to me privately, later, they may raise their hands at an appropriate time - for example if they want to deny the misbehavior. But I don't tolerate any responses to my reprimands - AT ALL. If a child even starts to talk, I basically shout him or her down. I just keep talking until they are silent.

I've been doing this since day one, but they still reflexively reply with denials, blame-shifts and the classic "he was doing it too and you didn't say nuthin' to him!" Any time they do this, I talk right over them - I don't even let them say what I know is coming. It's harsh, but I've found it's the only way. I know I'm being fair and consistent, and the kids know it too. They will ALWAYS try to argue that you're not being fair; you will never get them to stop doing that. But if you really are fair, they will see it and respect it, even if they PRETEND not to understand it.

As for the complements, I had that problem just today. I was singling out students by thanking them for following instructions, and a couple of kids called out to add their own names to the list. All I did in response was to give them my sternest "teacher look." I didn't say anything. Just the look. It shows them that I don't appreciate being interrupted. Calling out is never acceptable and they're old enough to know that. Usually when they get "the look," the kids shut up. Then I just go on with what I was saying.

I know this approach isn't for everybody, but for me it works well. I had to get over the fear of being called unfair. I have a very authoritarian management style. But I have to say, the kids seem to respect it.

2006-12-18 15:13:23 · answer #3 · answered by dark_phoenix 4 · 0 0

I remember being in exactly your position in my first year of teaching! Don't worry, things will get better. Check out the Fred Jones website "Tools for Teaching". It has a great system called "Responsibility Training" that works wonders for classroom climate and keeping everyone focused...and eliminates the "I was doing that too!" routine. The book is definitely worth the $30 or so dollars. It's helped to make my classroom a much, much calmer place.

2006-12-18 10:38:00 · answer #4 · answered by snowberry 3 · 0 0

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