Teachers: How can I get my class to be more structured?

Question

Im a first year teacher teaching first grade students. I have been using the pulling cards system for those who are misbehaving and it has helped some but not all of the time. There are still some who get up out of their seat, and or talk even after I have enforced the rules. I want to help students learn the best that they can but I know they cant learn well when there is loud talking at
times. I know it is almost February and the last semester. Does anyone have any suggestions and/or ideas for improvement in managing students' behavior in order for me to teach well and for them to learn well at this stage in the school year?

Answer 1

The pull card system does provide a threat, but in your case, I'd say a threat isn't enough. Make a few rules. Write the names of each of your students on a poster board. Tell that whoever did something against the rules, got an X next to their name. If they got 3 X's after one week, their parents get a letter (just a nice, informative letter). To further push this child into behaving, at the end of the week, whoever has no X's by their name, gets a treat (like a cookie or a sticker). Hope this helps!

Answer 2

I'm a second-year teacher and have taught 1st for both years. I've found that for my kiddos, the best format is to establish classroom expectations that are very clear and that are reinforced with both positive and negative consequences. This late in the year, you may want to hold several class meetings over the course of a week or two and have the kids revisit the class rules...and maybe even add a positive reinforcement dimension to your current plan.

For my kids, we use a token economy: they are "paid" 10c (fake money!) each week as their "salaries;" if they are caught breaking a rule, they must pay a penny fine, and if they are caught doing something "extra special good" (their words!), they may recieve a penny bonus. At the end of each week, the students count their money and may choose to purchase a Friday snack or save their earnings for the end of the month, when we open a class store (stocked by the Dollar Store and party aisles of places like WalMart and Target). Also helpful is the fact that if a student pays more than one fine in a day, he/she must stay inside for part of recess and write a note to mom and dad explaining what the fines were and why they had to pay them -- which in turn must be signed and returned before students can full privileges (recess, free choice centers, etc.)again; this has only happened a handful of times this year, as once the kids saw that I was serious...well, they didn't like that!

Of course, every class is different. This may or may not work for your kiddos...but it at least might give you some ideas.

Answer 3

I am an Early Intervention Elementary teacher. One of the 1st grade teachers in my school recently started a new behavior chart. She is using a pocket chart. All the kids have a slip with their name and start each day at the bottom. If they return their homework and anything that was supposed to be returned from the night before, they move up one step. This is the penny step. If the students are caught doing good things, they move up. Each step is labeled with a coin. The students want to try to earn a quarter each day. If they have a quarter on Friday, they get to go in a prize box or get some type of reward.

Answer 4

Hello,
I have used the card system and it does work for some and not others. What you can do for individual students is put one envelope on each side of their desk. In one put about 20 popsicle sticks and the other is empty. Have a talk with the student and let them know that whenever s/he gets out of his/her seat without permission or talk aloud, s/he will need to put a popsicle stick from one envelope to the other. You can label the one with the popsicle sticks "IN" and the other "OUT". At the end of the day, record how many sticks were in the "OUT" pocket. At the end of the week have another talk with the student and set a goal for the next week to have fewer sticks in the "OUT" pocket. If s/he reaches their goal, have a reward ready (extra computer time, sticker, etc.) I have tried this with a grade 2 student and behaviour improved. Hope this helps!

Answer 5

put up a chart on the wall with each students name on it...
each day a student is good, put up a sticker.
and tell the class that who ever is best behaved will get pizza or some other treat. u can also give different unsuspected prizes during the year too.

my first grade teacher did this and actually took me and some other kid out for an all u can eat pizza meal! (yumm...)

Answer 6

They are active at this age, they need more recess and activities in the gym to release this energy.
Or make them get up and stretch, do side stretches, touch toes,
Then they may sit and listen more.
Give rewards like a rice crispie treat to good students , then the others will be good and want one.
Play games like I spy and Button Button.
Get them to write on chalk board more.

Answer 7

You need to establish classroom procedures and consequences for not following procedures. Type them up in a contract and have each student sign it and post it in the room. Point to them as you model. Model those procedures and praise those who follow them. Administer the consequences fairly and they will catch on.

Answer 8

Establish a routine and stick to it. After teaching for many years - that's my best piece of advice.

Answer 9

Do you have a master teacher you can talk to? That is the best way to learn. Maybe you can observe her class.