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Lesson Plans


Re: talk quiet

[ Thread ][ Subject ][ Author ][ Date ]
Rick (rlarson)
Mon, 25 Oct 1999 20:34:27 -0500

I also wait until everyone is settled. Then we begin. I got tired of trying to talk
over them so I tried the wait and talk at a normal voice. That worked much better.
And then I tried a quieter voice. It worked even better. I think the kids are so
used to hearing loudness that they enjoy a quiet voice. I have also noticed that the
quieter classroom teachers have the quieter classes. This is in elementary. I'm not
talking whisper, just quieter like two people would talk. Believe me, the whole
neighborhood knows when it's time for the kids to eat dinner. So this was (is) a
challenge for me. betsy

LM Paris wrote:

> I have been starting class with everyone in their seats....no supplies. Same
> thing I did with the Middle school last year. I stand ....and wait, quietly for
> their attention. I originally explain that I will talk when they are quiet and
> when I am done talking they have the rest of class to do their work and by me
> waiting they are wasting their own studio time. I was teaching in block
> scheduling last year and was worried what this "wait time" would do to a 46 min.
> class period....but it keeps getting better! They actually seem to get more done
> than if I dont talk in the beginning.
>
> Today, the student who usually causes some of the biggest distractions in class
> saw my dramatic waiting...if there is such a thing. He decided to draw
> attention to himself, as usual...but this time it helped me because he yelled,
> "Quiet everybody, Ms. Paris is trying to talk!!!!" Then he turned his attention
> on me. He got the attention and laughs and I GOT TO TALK!
>
> I truly do the "all pencils down and all eyes on me" if I have something
> important to tell them in the middle of class. I think it works because I joke
> with them so much they dont feel offended by this elementary school tactic.
>
> Oh...one more thing that can save a ton of headaches is counting by
> five's...every five seconds of yours they waste they have to make up at the END
> of class...AFTER THE BELL! It works really well at clean up time. If they are
> ALL cleaned up and in their seats I count the seconds starting before the bell.
> And yes...the whole class waits. This gets them to tell each other to stop
> talking.
>
> Again...not going to work for everyone, but it might for some....
>
> LM
>
> ricki fromkin wrote:
>
> > Donald Peters wrote:
> > >
> > > If you talk in a quiet voice, they
> > > >will be quiet to hear you.
> > >
> > > I don't know where or who you teach, but if you are working with
> > > minority/poverty students, this approach WILL NOT WORK. Trust me.
> >
> >
> > Speaking of ideas of getting your students to listen and pay
> > attention...any suggestions on getting HS kids to be quiet. Flipping
> > the light on and off helps, but was wondering what else some of you
> > might be doing.
> >
> > Ricki