I'm in the middle of my practicuum now and there doesn't seem to be a better word to describe how I feel than "YEARGH!!!!!"
Classes like my mentor's should be rendered OUT OF BOUNDS to trainee teachers. I swear, the number of discipline problems there......... Let's call it a sort of baptism by bonfire.
Ok, I did not have a good day in class today. The usual students were causing havoc, the ones who were actually interested in learning at the start were now getting dismotivated, and half the class near the window seemed dead to the world. Oh, and plus the few looks of sympathy that I had to suffer their class.
Just when I thought I was getting the hang of classroom management, in comes in my crash-or-die course in discipline.
The first step being the usual method of scream. Screaming once or twice of course will stop them in their tracks a while. But it's shortlived. Once they get used to it, it almost seems as though they just love the sound of your screams, considering the number of times they try to ignite you.
The next step, is punishment. So far, I've tried isolating the noisy/disruptive/plain offensive ones by getting their butts to the front of the class. However, I haven't used this often, because also, I haven't had a good strong discipline system pat down. :p Here's another warning for other newbie trainee teachers...
Another step, which my mentor just talked to me about, is to just talk to them. Talk? Talk to them one on one? Will they listen?
"Yes they would, if they feel that you are not against them, or their enemy. Talk to them. Let them know that you are on their side. Talk to them as soon as they misbehave, so that they know why you are talking to them. But get them on your side."
"What if they don't want to talk?"
"They might not at first. It took me a while before they would respond to me as well, but eventually they did. And they will behave better in class."
I guess it just takes that little bit of trust built up.........
2 comments:
Be encouraged, u r not the only one in this. All other teachers have gone thru this difficult class thing. Your CT is also human and he or she will have gone thru this same learning curve of managing a class.
Management begins from the minute you step into the class. Make sure all pupils stand up first. Let them know that you "mean business", put up a black face if necessary, dun let them greet you till they make sure the floor is clean, tables are straight, uniform neatly tucked in and for your case, they are in their own seat, textbook on the table (so the ones who din bring will remain standing after the greeting) and lastly QUIET. If not achieved you can off the fans, raise the voice slightly but dun scream or shout, they like to make u do that.
Do this every lesson and every class you go even relief classes. Because relief classes can be your future classes so let them know not to mess with you.
Oh yes! Do take time to talk to some of them after school if you do see them around, get to know them, let them know that you care for them and know their background if possible. Sometimes they just lack love and attention.
LAst, yes classroom management does get easier once you are able to set your own set of rules and regulation and style.
So celebrate your successes no matter how small.
Success do come in big or small packages. It is never going to be easy. Teaching is never an easy profession anyway. Every one teacher in their entire career will meet the bane of their "teaching careers"
Just look on the bright side of things, for in your little way, you would have impacted their lives, whether positively or *sigh* negatively :)
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