Any advice for dealing with whistling in class? I regularly substitute teach, and yesterday taught 10th and 11th grade English in a very rough school. Throughout the day, the students kept whistling or giving low whoops -- enough to drive you absolutely nuts. Of course, they kept their heads down so it was impossible to determine who was doing it. As a substitute teacher I don't have the usual recourse the regular teacher has; I can't threaten w/ a referral or a call to their parents. I was able to keep pretty good order in the classroom (a minor miracle) but the whistling persisted. For the most part I ignored it because I knew that saying "stop whistling" or trying to find out who was doing it would only have escalated the problem. Anyone have any creative solutions? Thank you!
2007-09-26 02:54:30 · 5 answers · asked by meatpiemum 4 in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
Tough one . . .here's a few ideas.
Make sure you have a seating chart at the beginning of each class. When you suspect a student from a certain area is causing a disturbance, call on him/her. It doesn't matter if it is the student making the noise- it will stop because every student in the area will know your attention is focused on them.
Also, maybe when the disturbance starts, completely change the classroom activity- shock the students with a question, something that they will have an opinion about, it could be current events, cultural issues, et cetera- just something you could turn into a teachable moment. Example: Should the president of Iran be allowed to visit Ground Zero? or, How are women portrayed in music videos? Get them talking and invested in what is happening inside the classroom. Be careful with the questions you ask though, you have to maintain control over the discussion and be aware of the potential sensitivity issues.
Also, can you have students work in groups to work on tasks? This will depend on what the teacher has left for them to work on, but you do have some freedom in how the work is done. If the students are working in groups, you'll be able to walk around the room and observe which students are participating and which are causing the distractions.
One final thing, if you stand in the front of the room, the students will have more opportunity to cause disturbances. Make sure that as you are speaking, you are walking around the room, in between the desks. It is easier to keep the students' attention and they will be less likely to act up if you are standing nearby.
Good luck- I feel for you!
2007-09-26 03:17:55 · answer #1 · answered by maia 2 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Mlaia answer is very good. Follow that advice.
In addition do not think so little of your position as a substitute
You are the teacher for that day and for that period. You can do just about anything that the regularly assigned teacher can do. You can call parents, ask the deans or school administration for help and even leave a note for the assigned teacher. Go into the class with the aura of confidence. Find out the school procedure for discipline problems before you enter the classroom.
Good luck.
2007-09-26 04:02:59 · answer #2 · answered by DrIG 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I innocently ask if anyone is a coxswain's mate. Most of the time my students ask me what that is. Then I say that I had really hoped some of them were, because only (expletive deleted) fools and coxswain's mates whistle indoors. It causes a laugh and generally no more whistling.
2007-09-26 05:57:16 · answer #3 · answered by OldGringo 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I teach first grade, in a rough area, they still do it!! I call parents and talk to them daily. I take away their GYM time and recess...nothing works.. I am there every day and SOME of them still disrespect me. SORRY I can't help ya....we're in the same boat!
2007-09-26 03:14:37 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You are a saint!!!
2007-09-26 03:03:30 · answer #5 · answered by Debbie Queen of All ♥ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋