Most of my clincal experience has been with infants, toddlers, and preschoolers but I have to student teach in a 3rd grade this coming fall. My concern is how to keep them focused and not get out of control. The management and transition methods (singing songs, using chants, hand claps, etc.) that I use with younger kids probably won’t work with 3rd graders. How do you connect with them? How do you get them to be quiet and focus?
Please help, I’m really concerned lol
#1 by luv2teach on August 28th, 2010
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Make sure you get your bluff in on them the first day. It’s much better to be too strict and ease up later than start out soft and try to get more strict. With 3rd graders, you just have to make sure they know your expectations and they have to know that if they don’t follow those expectations then there will be consequences. Always follow through with what you say. Don’t make threats or promises you can’t keep. I use Mystery Prizes in my classroom. This works with a variety of grade levels. I have a jar on my desk full of Mystery Prizes and at the beginning of the day, I put some in my pocket (small erasers, bubble gum, coupons for free computer time, reading time, etc.) When I spot a student following directions or being a good role model, I discreetly pass a prize from my hand to theirs, no one else sees it and the kids love it!
As a whole class encourager, I usually write a phrase on the board (right now it’s ‘ice cream). When the class earns a compliment from another teacher in the hallway, they earn one letter towards our goal.
Just remember to relax, be confident, and love those kiddos! They need and like structure so give them plenty. Give them respect and you will get it in return! Good luck…teaching is so rewarding!
#2 by deirdrezz on August 28th, 2010
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Use words and signs to get across the expectations at the beginning. Be consistent. For ex., my students must be quiet when they enter at homeroom. At the beginning of the year, I would stand by the door and just redirect a talking child out of my room. Now, I can open my door and walk away and kids enter quietly and start the warm-up. No one talks until homeroom is over. During class discussions, I went over rules about raising hands. If they forget, I say I hear 5 voices , and I raise one hand. By the time all five of my fingers have folded down, the room is quiet again.
#3 by Dustin S on August 28th, 2010
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The key to classroom management is simple. Develop a set of predictable routines…something that you and your students can count on. I teach first grade, but I feel like this technique can be put to good use in your situation. I rely on a series of visual and auditory “cues”. When the kids see or hear something they know exactly what needs to be done. If I sing the first lyric of a rhyme…then their job is to echo the completion of the rhyme back to me. Then, you’ve got their attention. Much more effective than “asking” them repeatedly to hush or settle down. Have fun with it! You must be creative and caring if you are going into this field. Use your natural talents (and the interests of your students) to come up with a handful of fun or funny “cues”.
Also, consider some type of motivation. Uhh…class reward if we can fill this beaker up to the line with marbles. Marbles are dropped in when the class completes whatever task you are asking them to complete. Also, marbles can be taken out for undesirable behaviors. Again, have fun with this. Talk to your students and figure out something that they will really strive to earn. The rest will fall into place! Good luck. Oh, and welcome to the “trenches”. heheh.
#4 by e.best18 on August 28th, 2010
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My mum teachers third grade and i am studying to be a primary teacher. Hand claps still work. Also try and joke with the kids ect. this will make them respect u and they will listen.