#6thchat is used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other sixth grade educators from around the globe. Each session we discuss a topic voted on by #6thchat participants. It's a great way to help grow your PLN and share ideas with others.
Welcome to #6thchat! Please introduce yourself, where you teach, and what subjects. I am Kristin and teach ELA and SS in Lansing, MI. I will also moderate tonight's chat! Thanks for being here!
If you have specific questions or wonderings and needs regarding ways to make your classroom better, please feel free to ask! Do not be limited by the questions on the slides! Let's use each other as resources! #6thchat
A1) I think what defines "irritating" depends on the teacher and the Ss in the class; we all have different tolerances. We spend time as a class talking about the type of learning environment we want and what irritates us. I talk to Ss in private & create hand signals #6thchat
A1: I try addressing it directly and giving wait time for the student(s) to self correct. If it seems to be taking a little longer I let them know that the time spent waiting is time that could be doing better things #6thchat
a1: remove emotion - remember they are learning. you don't get irritated when they mis-combine terms in math. coach, redirect, give strategies. #6thchat
A1: Really the only annoying behaviors to me are the ones where ss are just plain not nice to each other or to another ss. Last year I ran into it a lot so this year I am explicitly teaching how to get in groups, how to act when placed in a group you don't like, etc. #6thchat
A1) #6thchat Depending on the behavior (& my mood), sometimes I use humor. Tomorrow I will read My Mouth is a Volcano to address a blurter. I hope to use the technique in the book to teach any blurter from then on. I think it will bring a bit of humor into it also.
2) Make sure all needs are met prior to work session (Once I had Ss next to kleenex, a trash bin, and hand sanitzer to cut down on the "moves"). Ask Ss to check in after they have finished 2 out of 5 questions, for example (or cut back on # of problems for a Ss). #6thchat
a2: I've coached Ss on number of off topic actions (post its on desk or 'free trip tix') to bring awareness. Also remind them that work doesn't go away when the bell rings for next class #6thchat
A3) Work to ignore as much as possible; determine cause of arguing--is it academic or a feeling of low self-esteem? Give Ss permission to take a break #6thchat
A3) #6thchat I let them know that I am not going to argue and that it doesn't sound like they are ready to talk to me yet. I let them know when they are ready to use a respectful tone, I will be ready to hear them out. Sometime this convo happens at recess.
A3: Attitude is communication that something is not ok. It is not something to take personal, and I try not to with ss. Give them space to calm down and try to figure out what is really bothering them without getting defensive. I am always ready to apologize jic. #6thchat
Always leave the emotion and/or ego out. Acknowledge the anger, find the why, and move forward to a solution. Most S's are not mad at me or my lesson . but at how they were treated last night, last week, last month. #6thchat
A2: Sit with them often during learning activities and do it with them. Gradually move away. Don't let them sit there stranded without a life jacket too long. Never ever get upset when they ask for help. #6thchat
A4) Find out what is being taken and ensure Ss has access to same supplies if possible. Talk to Ss privately and have other Ss practice how to talk to Ss by giving Ss words to use. Make sure community supplies are easily able to be shared. #6thchat
A4) #6thchat I think this one calls for a private chat w/ Ss. Ss may not realize how the action impacts others. May be used to taking at home like this. Teach first, as Ss may not have been taught.
A4: Since I am someone who always impulsively takes things, breaks things, spills things, I openly admit that it's hard. I talk about the habit of hanging up my towel- how initially things need to be intentional before it becomes habitual. I'm there until it does! #6thchat
A5) Document, document! Determine reason for outbursts and look for trends (time of day, etc); create a crisis plan if necessary, and allow Ss to have a place to "cool down". Create a safe place. #6thchat
a5: our school has something called ripcord. This is a Beh.mgm.system that allows kids to 'take a break.' here's a link with details: https://t.co/ZMSiymLrA0#6thchat
A5: Give them a pass to go get some water and take a breather from class for a minute or two. Sometimes they might refuse the walk, so I would try to find someone who could walk with them. When they come back I try to talk with them and decompress
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A5) #6thchat Got a lot of practice with this last year. I would give a choice. Tell Ss "you sound angry you may not talk like that in our classroom. Would you like to calm yourself and stay or would you rather take a break and do this work when you return." Choices.
A6) Try not to ask questions where the Ss will lie. If you saw Ss do something, don't ask about it, but instead say: "I saw you do X.Tell me the reason why you decided to do X." I often have Ss write down what happened as stories often unravel in the writing. #6thchat
Thinking about this first week, I have dealt with most of the issues we've talked about tonight. It is amazing how these issues can play such a role in the development of a positive classroom climate. Enjoying everyone's ideas tonight. #6thchat
A7) Every year I have at least one; often not the kid's fault but a parent transportation issue; I will often ask another Ss to have a quick quiet catch up chat or I will do so; if it is really chronic, I will call parent and try to come up with a plan to change. #6thchat
A7: I haven't had this happen to me directly, but the best I can think of would be to put the things that S finds "fun" in the AM and convince them if they come they can do the fun
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a7: control what you can control - if it is before 1st period, little we can do about it. if it is during school, review the tardy policy w/ the Ss #6thchat
A7) #6thchat Have a few Ss I talked with this am already. I let Ss know that we value their opinion & we missed their contribution when they were late. Also asked when needed to change to help Ss get to school on time. Gave some ideas.
A8) Ask Ss to write comment or questions on a small white board; or have Ss turn and talk to partners prior to full class sharing so that all Ss can talk for a minute or two. This tends to lessen the amount of blurting. #6thchat
A8) #6thchat I've been addressing this as we build our class culture. Talked in general that a blurter comes across as being selfish as it appears S thinks his ideas are more important than the speaker's. And no one in our class is selfish like that...Therefore golden rule...
