City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

OMG did I walk into a crazy sitution.

The classes I am teaching went almost 2 months without a teacher. (Their other teacher either quit or was fired have heard it both ways).

I just can't get them to sit down and do their work.

I have tried new seating arrangements, assigned seats, setting the classroom up differently.

They are loud, obnixous and don't care about school at all.

I have a handful who want to pass the regents, but I can't get anything done with the level of noise and chaos in the room.

ANy advice would be greatly appreciated. I don't let it stress me out, but I don't feel that I am doing a great job and I know deep down I am a good teacher.

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

I feel for the situation that both you and your students face. First, please know that they do care, even if their concern is embedded so deep in the pit of their hearts that it doesn't seem like they do. They have been missing a few things over the last 2 months
a) structure b)boundaries c)the opportunity to demonstrate that they care

I faced a similar situation when I returned from maternity leave last year. My class wasn't given a permanent sub until 8 weeks into my leave. By the time the sub had arrived, she was only there for another month before I returned. Suffice it to say, I re-entered the classroom in less than optimum conditions (I am a HS teacher in NYC). I quickly established routines and stuck with them. For example, I gave daily quizzes at the end of each class that covered what we did that period. They required the students to think and write and are focused on whatever I am covering. They are timed (5 min) and if you talk it's an automatic zero. (good summary, too). It was an easy way to establish the idea that they are accountable and that the class did matter.

I did a lot of one-on-one conferencing. I, too, was teaching a class that ended in a Regents exam. I needed my kids to write, but they were so reluctant that they wouldn't do it anywhere but the classroom. If I was to send them home with an essay, I knew that I wasn't getting it back. Instead, we had writing time in class. I offered "extra credit" to anyone who shared what they had written. Then I would give them direct feedback on the spot to help them improve their essays, or poems, or short stories--whatever it was that they were writing. I kept a wall of extra credit with stars next to the kids names. Most of them came around eventually and would write and then share.

I guess the point is that you have to convince this class that they are responsible for their behavior and work, and that they are valued because they were probably feeling a little abandoned before you showed up.

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

Thanks. I have spoken with a few and they are telling me they want structure.

I didn't think of implementing an exit ticket/end of period quiz. In prior years, I use to do that...I just didn't know how it would work...but I also like the automatic zero for talking. I am in week 3 and its getting better to an extent, but with what 40 class days until the regents or so I am running out of time and they are so far behind!

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

I like the end of period quiz. You can also start rewarding the good students. If they participate they get an extra point on their test.

Also, I find what has a huge impact are positive phone calls home. Word spreads really fast about that.


I don't know about the dynamic, but what about group work? not sure how that works in math. Could you put groups together to solve a few problems. jigsaw the groups and have a jeopardy type game that has the same problems so that the person from the group will have the answer if they did the work? Then they go to the board and solve it?

As a goal reward, maybe you could show them Stand and Deliver if they have x number of successful days/weeks.


Good luck.

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

I wanted to add this David Adler link. He was a math teacher in NYC before a children's author. I thought it was interesting. Not sure if it can be useful?

link

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

Thanks I'll take a look

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

I would think about the best way to set up your lesson in terms of order. When I have a really rowdy class, I make sure that at the beginning of the period I give them a do now and I don't do anything then except walk around and monitor them (normally I would be checking homework during this time). Also, make sure the do now is something everyone can do. This builds up their motivation and involvement for the rest of the lesson. I check homework as quickly as possible next and then go over it quickly, asking a few key questions but not discussing each problem.

Next I would do a mini lesson and then get to practicing. I find partners easier to manage than groups, but you can do friendly competitions, stations, group-pair-solo progressions.

I also agree with the do now/exit ticket ideas. Another quick suggestion is to get a small timer. I set the clock for 2 or 3 minutes for a do now or practice problem and it gets them going much faster than without it.

What course(s) are you teaching?

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please

Re: City HS Teachers...management ideas needed please