Savita Malshe
T O P I C :
Out of Their Seats
Savita Poses the Question. . . .
September 14, 2007
There are a couple of students in my seventh grade classroom who always find an excuse to go out (for water, restroom, etc.) as soon the period begins. If they are not given permission to go out, they want to get out of their seats to sharpen a pencil or for some or the other reason. They hardly pay any attention to what is going on in the class. How do I help these students focus on their work?
Jamie Dale answers. . . .
September 18, 2007
I would enact the rule that any activities requiring the student to be out of their seat must be taken care of before the tardy bell rings or it will count as a tardy. Students that absolutely have to go to the restroom or to their locker due to an emergency still have the option to do so, but they must take a tardy. Since they get 3 tardies (in most cases) before they are penalized, I think this is a fair trade. I would even use this rule for in-the-classroom activites. Students at the middle school age and above should be able to be prepared for class. I understand that pencils might break during class. Students should have a spare, but if not, you as the teacher could have some ready-sharpened pencils at your desk to loan to students. Hopefully these suggestions might help to solve your problem.
Jessica Fay answers. . . .
September 21, 2007
I think that you need to go over the classroom rules again. Take some time out of class to let the students know that you will no longer allow them to leave class for a drink or the restroom (unless it's an emergency) because they have plenty of time before the bell rings. Maybe even allow them to bring a bottle of water to class so that they can drink if they are thirsty. Also, make a rule about how no one is allowed out of their seats during instruction without your permission. Tell the class the clear consequences to these rules. If they break them, follow through with it. Slowly but surely, you'll mold the students to fit the classroom environment.
Planet Gnosis is directed by Dr. Freddie A. Bowles,
Assistant Professor of Foreign Language Education in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction, the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. Planet Gnosis is dedicated to the exploration of education and teaching. It is a cybersite of CornDancer.com, a developmental website for the Mind and Spirit. Submissions are invited. |
|