Would any veteran teachers like to advise on how to keep 5th graders from talking back ?

Question

Some of the girls in my daughters class try to continually talk and disrupt the class, any suggestions would be appreciated.

Answer 1

Some effective ways to control your classroom is to change your seating chart. Keep the talkers away from each other. Put them next to people they really wouldn't talk to.

Review the rules of your classroom. Great teaching starts with great classroom management. Manage the kids well, lessons will be smooth. And stick to your rules! Don;t play favorites.

Offer the appropriate opportunities to talk & socialize. Change up your delivery of the lesson that will encourage the kids to talk and respond in an appropriate way. Then you can encourage a dialogue that can include the talkers. Ask one of them to respond to another student's answer.

Offer learning opportunites where kids can talk like learning groups/centers. Paired reading. Partner writing.

Finally, respect the students. When you show respect to the class, they honestly respect you in return. They will think you are the world's greatest teacher and really will do you ask of them-which in your case is to stop talking and disrupting!

Good luck!

EDIT: My mistake. I reread what I wrote and totally skipped the part when you stated this is a concern of your daughter and what is happening in her classrom. My apologies.

Answer 2

Talking and talking back are two different things.

Students should be provided with opportunities to converse with their peers - the main thing is are they on task. If they are seeking to abuse this then the teacher needs to work out why they are acting in this manner - then put into place strategies to halt or minimise it first (prevention being better than cure). As any approach based solely on a disciplinary approach will eventually fail if the cause isn't understood.

Only person who can change the students behaviour is the student. The teachers role is to help them understand the choices they are making are wrong and they have other options - parents can be a great support. With the last resort being a consequence (especially the principal as the student sees the teacher as being unable / unwilling to resolve the situation).

If they are talking back avoid confrontation - state any problems can be discussed at a time that will not interfere with the lesson, say recess or lunch. If they are rude, conduct yourself both professionally and respectfully - as its hard for a parent to side with their child (though many will still try) when it is obvious their child was the only person out of order (so shouting, ridiculing or slamming things wouldn't be my way to go). You cant expect appropriate behaviour if you don't model it.

If you aren't the teacher then any teaching strategies would not be of any real use. You could discuss with the teacher that your daughter is experiencing difficulties learning / concentrating in class, due to being disrupted by other students.

Something that may be overlooked, allow students to vary where they sit each week. They have to earn the right to remain where they are (you are saying you are giving them your trust to being with), so may be more likely to respond when asked to quieten down or stop talking - given the prospect of moving (especially if they have chosen to sit with their entire circle of friends) or being told where to sit in the future.

Answer 3

Good lord, the first thing you need to do is NOT engage. Do not get caught up in arguing with a student, don't even let it start....it's a no win situation. Period! Don't care for the card thingy...too much attention on that mess, I like the marble jar. The teacher puts marbles in a jar when everyone is being good throughout the day. It reinforces positive behaviors rather than negative. When the jar is full, rewards that were agreed upon as a class BEFORE the jar is put in use. If they decide rewards, all the better, it's more meaningful for them. If a few kids begin to deprive the class of the wanted reward, they start to shape up.

If still getting the back talk, have the kid call home or work to explain to their parent/s why they cannot maintain at school. Every time they do it. Not after school or recess, right then. Then follow through with something like loss of recess. A couple of phone calls to parents at work outta do the trick.

Answer 4

Before the school year starts, define to them the norms the whole class would follow. Emphasize too that failure to follow the said norms shall constitute a penalty. But when defining the norms, make sure that it is within the school's regulations and policies to avoid any technicalities. If you're in the middle of the school year, I suggest you browse your student's handbook and see any corresponding problems and remind your students to follow the handbook or face the consequences. Sample entry would be "Disrespect to school authorities."

Answer 5

You are not the teacher, I take it? Is this what you have witnesses or your daughter is telling you? I would have a chat with the principal and let her know your concerns. The school ought to have a discipline plan which is not being utilized.

Answer 6

i have one thing to say... duck tape lol just kidding what they need is some disipline. a harder more strict teacher. try doing this at my old school we had behavior cards. green-good yellow- warning red-miss reccess orange - call home and finally purple - principal this seemed to keep the talking down to a munimum in my school GOOD LUCK!

Answer 7

Find a way to give and take merits. For ex: When they interrup the class, lets stay in the classroom during recess.

Answer 8

Maybe having time during the week teaching respect and manners might help. But sometimes it is just a way to get the attention that they are not getting from home.

Answer 9

The best thing I have ever seen is for them to lose social time like recess and lunch with their friends.

Answer 10

I had a teacher in the 5th grade who would just take a large book and slam it down on her desk whenever kids started chit-chatting. Instant silence.