I'm a first-year math and physics teacher, so being the new person I got the classes that no one else wanted. I admit I started out way too laid-back with them. Of course they took advantage and walked all over me, so I had to kind of crack down on them. So now it's getting to the point that they all hate me! I can't speak for every student, but I know that when I was in high school I didn't really listen to the teachers that I didn't like or respect. I'm afraid this is going to affect their ability (or willingness) to learn the material in my class - and they need it for the ACT!!! What can I do to keep them behaving, but also keep enough respect that they learn something from me???
2007-10-23 11:29:45 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Teaching
I don't know if it makes a difference, but it's not all of my classes. I have two classes that are pretty much ideal in every way - and one of those is full of people who I was warned were troublemakers - but I've never had a problem with them. The other three, however, are rude, disrespectful, and don't care one way or the other if they pass the class. I've been told by other teachers and administrators that I am doing an excellent job for a first year teacher, but I feel like I'm doing EVERYTHING wrong.
2007-10-23 13:18:28 · update #1
Just to let you know that I'm slightly qualified to answer this question, I am a Master Teacher in my district, and I lead a content seminar for first year teachers through The New Teacher Project and Louisiana Practitioner Teacher Program...that out of the way, let me get down to actually trying to help...
When creating a classroom culture and management plan, it is important to (1) remain consistent, and (2) involve your students in decision making. I know that #1 sounds obvious and #2 insane, but trust me. Allow the students to create some of the classroom rules for themselves. You can do this per period so that each class feels more privately invested. Have them record their rules on chart paper and post them in the room. Make sure that they write them in positive statements, rather than a bunch of "NO this" and "NO thats". When we give them some say so (or at least a perceived notion of this), they feel like their opinions matter. They need to feel like you truly care about them, and listening to them and involving them are perfect ways to do that.
And above all else, hang in there. You are still on a learning curve! Each year you will learn new tricks that will help you manage. For instance, you've already learned to start off hard. It's always easier to let up than crack down!
Good luck to you!
2007-10-23 11:50:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
All we do is train teachers to work with difficult students. We have the help you need. Your training did not include a lot of practical information on how to understand the different types of students, and how to intervene with each kind. We can help with that, and a lot of our help is free. We can show you how to work with conduct disorders, your most misbehaved student. They are the 1% of your kids that take 99% of your time. They misbehave because they feel like it. Ordinary interventions always fail with this child. That is why you are so frustrated. But we can also teach you how to work with a student who is badly behaved because she was beat up or screamed at last night. You would want to manage a student who is angry from a beating very differently than a student who is just tormenting you for the fun of it.
Sign up for our free Problem-Student Problem-Solver magazine at http://www.youthchg.com/guest.html. You will also be sent free sample materials by mail. Even better, our site has hundreds of pages showing you how to improve student behavior and motivation. Here is a good place to start to learn how to motivate students so they will care and behave better: http://www.youthchg.com/nws3moti.html. There is Live Expert Help and a Classroom Management Help Forum on the site-- all free-- if you need even more help.
2007-10-23 11:58:42 · answer #2 · answered by youthchange 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am fairly new to teaching myself, I am in my second year at an inner city school. The advice I have for you is first get the Harry Wong book, its a great resource! Second, You are their teacher, NOT their friend, I know everyone wants to be the cool teacher, but you need to make sure that they know you are their teacher. I am not saying you cannot be friendly and joke around, but you need establish yourself as the teacher. Also, be consistent with what you say, if you say I am going to send you out of the room, then send them out of the room. I wish you the best of luck, and its ok to smile before Christmas!!!
2007-10-23 12:15:09 · answer #3 · answered by Mark O 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
OK. I taught full time for 30 years.in the UK. One of the pieces of advice I was given is "Don't smile before Christmas". In other words, you have to crack down on them from the beginning. I doubt they hate you, but they will respect you if you are firm but fair. Don't stand for backchat. When you have asked for silence, don't start speaking until they are all quiet. I know the waiting is hard, but you gotta do it. as you are a first year teacher, do you not have amentor, or more experienced colleague you could talk to? Hope this helps.
2007-10-23 11:39:35 · answer #4 · answered by SKCave 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This is the story for new teachers - you are not alone, or the first or last, and things will get better.
Make things relevant to them - try to have everything you do relate to something they like in their lives - i.e. in math use pizzas for sections. Physics show them a clip from "A Beautiful Mind", etc. it builds rapport and they look forward to what you will do next.
Lighten up at times and just talk.
Harry Wong and Fred Jones too...
2007-10-23 12:21:40 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The teacher must be worth to make a class memorable. I am sure u have those abilities. u need to develop interest in class make a study what keep student distracted from class not all students make me trouble monger u need to read thier mind and act accordingly win thier confidence rest will fall in
line. I knew ur a good teacher u should make it known to ur students
2007-10-23 21:45:01 · answer #6 · answered by samy d 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get one of those first year teacher books at B&N
who cares if they don't like you...you are there to teach them not be their buddy
but you do need to establish a relationship with them of trust and kids really trust authority figures who are honest and caring and down to business.
do you have a mentor at your campus?
do you have a central office supervisor for science or math?
how about a counselor or assistant principal to help you?
good luck
2007-10-23 13:22:45 · answer #7 · answered by Library Eyes 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the book store right now and get the book, "The first day of school" by Harry Wong. This will help you.
2007-10-23 11:35:59 · answer #8 · answered by Mellie G 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋