Author Topic: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do  (Read 352 times)

Offline xiloa360

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3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« on: October 21, 2011, 10:10:33 am »
I'm having trouble with a couple of my 3rd grade boys. Discipline in two of my 3rd grade classes is pretty bad. My Korean co-teacher will tell them to be quiet and pay attention. They'll do what she says but within less than a minute they'll go back to misbehaving.  Yesterday I took them out of the classroom to have them do jumping jacks. I have them do jumping jacks because I don't really know what else to do.  One of the boys wasn't taking it seriously so I started yelling and I really hate yelling. He started to shut down and I realized that I don't want to be that awful teacher you remember who used to treat you horribly.
I want to be a good teacher and yelling is not the way.

Offline Yu_Bumsuk

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Re: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« Reply #1 on: October 21, 2011, 10:30:30 am »
Elementary or middle?

Offline iggyb

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Re: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« Reply #2 on: October 21, 2011, 11:39:44 am »
Isolation.

If it is only two, separate them.  Use a wangta chair:  Put a chair or desk near the back of the class in the middle of the floor away from most of the students.  When the student refuses to obey the Korean teacher or you and immediately starts acting up, make them move to that chair.  Leave him there for a short time or long time depending on how well you think he'll behave once back in his seat.

Do this consistently for several classes, and it usually has a positive affect.

Every once in awhile a student won't take this seriously and jokes around when being moved.  Usually, my angry face and quick snap like saying "NOW!" is enough to show I am serious and angry.

If it is a really bad student, I'll move the student into the hallway and make them stand there for a few minutes.  (no extra punishment other than leaving the room with me.)

If it is a really bad student causing too much disruption, you can take him down to his homeroom teacher.  That is like being sent to the principle's office in the US.  They really don't like being taken to their homeroom teacher.  I've only had to do that a couple of times during the first semester.  I think it helped with discipline with the rest of the students who saw that was one of the weapons in the discipline arsenal.

Some students will never participate in class no matter what you try in a full-class environment.  The best you can do is prevent him/her from disrupting the ability to learn of the rest of the class. 

If isolation doesn't convince them it is better to cooperate than ignore being told to pay attention, it will at least keep them from harming the activity for the other students.
« Last Edit: October 21, 2011, 11:44:21 am by iggyb »

Offline gloomy

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Re: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« Reply #3 on: October 21, 2011, 02:27:55 pm »
I feel you- I never want to be the teacher that looses his/her cool on the kids. It creates an unsettling classroom environment. I'd rather avoid it.

A few months ago I had a "eureka!" moment. I've started using yellow cards and red cards in class- like a soccer/football referee. When they get a red card, they must write "I got a red card today" 20 times (or less if it is a younger class) then write the reason they got the red card, and have the paper signed by their homeroom teacher. Involving the homeroom teacher makes all the difference. The homeroom teacher strikes the fear of god in them. The students react really well to the yellow/red cards since it comes from the sport they love so much.

Since starting this new system, all I have to do is hold up the yellow card and the behavior problems dissolve into thin air. No voices raised, no lesson interrupted.

Offline lillylol

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Re: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« Reply #4 on: October 24, 2011, 11:49:48 am »
Glad I'm not the only one!

I've used the separation tactic too.

One of my co-teacher told me to learn their names. Just the naughty ones. I wrote it on a piece of paper and always carry it to class. It worked wonders. I would use their name and shout at them in class. Now I forget that they are in my class.

Just an idea that worked for me

Offline TheWB18

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Re: 3rd grade discipline-I don't know what to do
« Reply #5 on: October 27, 2011, 10:55:28 am »
Do you think the yellow/red card idea would work with students who love baseball, or would 3 strikes just send the message that they have some space to mess around?

And do you send them off if they get a red card?