what are some solutions to kids goofing off in class?

Answer 1

Seating charts
let kids work in groups or partners
establish a list of rules that everyone can agree on (you and students)
remind students of school policies
follow through with discipline--if you give an inch they'll take a mile
teach bell to bell and make sure that you are changing the types of lessons you plan so that you can hit every learning style
send students to ISS, hand out detentions, pull them into the hall, or send them to the principal if necessary--if you send one student, the rest will fall into place. Just make sure your behavioral expectations are clear.

Answer 2

OK... I've been there. When you feel like you've run the well dry with classroom management skills and they are STILL goofing off, it's time for a parent, teacher, student conference. Approach it as just a meeting to help the student progress well in your class. Make sure parents and student know that this is not a punishment. The benefit of having parents and student at the meeting is that everyone is on the same page. The parent can't go home, tell the kid what the teacher said and have the kid disagree with everything. The student is not going to fabricate tales of the mean teacher and exaggerate their story to the parents when the teacher is sitting right there. Give it a try, it always worked for me. Those students ended up being the most respectful students I had.

Answer 3

Well you must be a boring *** teacher........cause I'm a freshman and I don't like most of my classes besides history and Physics.......My history teacher is very energetic and loves caffeine so she has the energy of everyone put together. When we take notes everyone pays attention and asks appropriate questions. Then when we have group discussions everyone goofs off and laugh but at the same time talking about what we just learned or willing to learn.

My suggestion is if your strict loosen up. If your too nice be mean. Cause if your nice students will take you as a joke and not listen to you. Yell at them a couple of times. Give them detentions every once in a while. If they come to you class late, on the 3rd time give them a detention for after school not during lunch....

If you have any questions..lemme know......

Answer 4

Eyes front. Hands to yourself. All 4 feet on the floor. Take anything and everything away from them that isn't for your class and tell the kids the first time you do it: Your parents can pick these up in the office. If they fall asleep drop a heavy book beside them. Remember tho there will be repercussions so have someone drop you off at school for a few weeks. Control must be achieved within one week. If you have an alternative school tell them you are starting a list. At least some of these kids parents will care.

Answer 5

First, try to figure out why they are goofing off in class and who is responsible.

At my son's school the principal did not believe in grade advancement and the teacher was unable to provide challenging work. So, the teacher was talking about things my son learned two years ago. Then she had the nerve to say he was disruptive. Being disruptive is a normal response for a child who has been stuck in a dysfunctional, boring environment. The problem was with the principal and the teacher.

I had to pay for private schooling as the school system is behind the times out here in Colorado. This is fine because our tax rate is low.

Answer 6

when kids goof off in class chances are they are bored with the lesson. spice it up a bit let them do the talking and have class/group discussions. If that doesn't work then :
1. give out detentions/referals
2. call home
3. Make them do something embarrassing
4. Tell the entire class their grade, (most goof offs aren't doing so well in the class their goofing off in)

Answer 7

Encourage their "talents"!
I would have a Friday talent contest every week and winner gets a small prize. If a student "Goofs Off" any other day, they are not eligible for the contest. You could have a "Guest Panel" to score 1-10 on the talent.
Kids learn better from positive reinforcements and may learn to LOVE school at the same time.

Answer 8

Well I teach middle school and let me tell you, it makes all the difference in the world, if you have a strong administration. Without having that at this time, I do joke around with the kids at times..let them know I have a sense of humor..but I have to be strict on disrupting my 'teaching' moments because if you are too nice they will take advantage of you. If you are teaching , you are a brave soul. Its not an easy job..especially now with kids having so many problems in the home. Its awful what I see. I also think the standard testing , has ruined our intellectual future.

Answer 9

Depending upon the subject you teach, I think I would find ways to be very creative. I know it would take preparation and energy, but if I were teaching English, for instance, I would either dress in character or have one of the students do so. Can you take the class outside in good weather? Can you bribe them[smiling] with a promise of light homework if they apply themselves in class? At the beginning of the year, try writing a big, big A on the blackboard. Tell each student this is his/her grade right now. Tell them you are here to teach them something you love and want each of them to keep this A. Tell them you want this to be their favorite class and do your best to respect each student. Don't tolerate nonsense. Use music when possible, and make the classroom attractive. Use skits. Have them read aloud. Sit on the floor. Do something unusual. Sit on top of your desk; that should keep their attention. I had a Latin teacher that did that very thing. He was wierd, but it worked!!

Answer 10

You could always just tell them u will hold them after class if its in middle school. if ur not the try to reward them if they dont goof off and give the good kid rewards but dont say anything to the bad kids unless its a second or third offense