MINI-LESSON

Classroom Management

About 1/3 of all new teachers leave teaching within their first 3 years.

Almost 1/2 of all new teachers leave after 5 years.

Less than 5% say it is because of money.

Then why??

The reality of teaching did not meet their expectations. 

The reason most often at the top of the list is their inability to motivate and control the behavior of their students.

(Information from Duke, Robert.  Intelligent Music Teaching)

A Principle-Centered Classroom

Classroom Discipline (printed copies)

Setting Limits in the Classroom (printed copies)

Stop and Think

Stop and Think Apology Letter

Martha Stanley Rules

Kindergarten procedures

Help!  They're Out of Control

I have one class that is a terror.  I struggle to teach them anything because I feel like I am constantly having to stop and manage behaviors.

Yesterday, I started a new thing.  When a student started being disruptive, disobedient, etc, I, without saying anything, simply put their name on the board (this took a matter of seconds and I could do it while I was still talking or taking responses from other students.  The next time that student did either the same behavior (or a different one), i put a check on the board next to their name.  after three checks, it was into time out OR to the office with a referral, student's choice.  I never got past three checks.  If I had, it would have been immediately to the office and the student would have been written up.  I got through more with that class yesterday using this system than I had been able to with the other two classes of the same age level. 

  I want to share with you a discipline idea that has worked for me for a long time (I have taught K-5 (sometimes 6) music for more than twenty years.

 

Our classes develop the rules for the class at the beginning of the year (with my guidance, of course) and the consequences and rewards. This has helped them take ownership of their responsibilities and these are posted in the teaching area for all to see.

 

  When a student breaks a rule such as speaking out of turn or excessives class noise, the students puts their finger on their lips and raises their hand quickly (without noise). This shows me the people who are taking responsibility for their own actions. The ones that do not raise their hands when the noise occurs are usually the ones making the noise!  We practice this at the beginning of the year and it becomes a habit for them. A s they get into the 4th and 5th grades, I only require they raise their hand (not put their finger on their lips). Consequently, the ones making the noise must serve the consequences which are 1. First time - warning 2. Second time - time out for a short while 3. Third time - note home to parent 4. fourth time - referred to office. Also, anyone who serves consequence 2 through 4 in a six (or nine ) weeks time, gets their name in my log book and they will spend time out of "music centers" (ten minutes for every consequence served) which is a reward for the class at the end of each grading period.

 

I hope this makes sense, but this has really helped me keep my classes on track.

 

Created and maintained by Vicky V. Johnson