The second year is light years better than the first, but still not without problems. I know I’m still learning about management. I am still facing problems, but this time I am able to recognize the problems before they get out of control and focus on fixing them.
These Are Problems I Can Handle
It helps that I’m only having one problem at a time. Last year I had dozens of problems piled up on each other. It was hard to focus on one thing because there was so much happening that needed to change. This year I’m actually able to address the behavior issues in a logical way.
They Were Noisy When I Wasn’t There
A few weeks ago, we had a problem with noisy behavior in the cafeteria and specials classes, and after a few discussions and lots of role playing, reminders, and some accountability, we are again under control. They have now had good behavior in the cafeteria for three straight weeks, and the specials rooms are no longer deafeningly loud when I pick them up from a specials class.
They Ignored Calls for Attention
In class, my students were falling into the habit of ignoring me when I called for attention. To call for attention I count down from four to zero. I started a marble jar- ten marbles whenever the class has all eyes on me by the time I get to zero. That’s the only thing we get marbles for. After a few days, the class became nearly perfect when I called for attention.
Long Bathroom Breaks
A little after that, the bathroom breaks began to take too long. I knew some students were playing around in the bathroom, taking too long and being too noisy. I dealt with it. For one day, we didn’t get a bathroom break at all. The next day, we had a discussion about behavior in the bathrooms. I timed the break and it only took 6 minutes for everybody in the class to use the bathroom and be back in line, quietly. I wrote the time on the board and complimented them on how well they did. The students understand my expectations and are working hard to meet them.
A Chatty Class
The current issue is that the students start conversations whenever I’m not talking. When I tell them to clean up, they talk while they clean. When I ask them to get out a book, they talk while they do it. It’s a familiar issue that dominated the classroom last year. This year, though, I know that I can trust them to stop when I call for attention. I know that the tone of the classroom is much better than it ever was last year. I know that I am the one in control this year, not my students.
On Monday, I’m going to deal with the issue of talking too much. I will make my expectations clear. I will enforce consequences for students who don’t follow my directions. The students will change their behaviors because they know I mean what I say.
To first year teachers- go ahead and look forward to the second year. It really is better. Not perfect by any means, but a hundred times better without a doubt.
