ELA Teacher

Posted on 7/16/10

Thank you for the tips Lynne,

The job is not "in the bag" just yet... waiting for final HR
approval, but I like to start getting prepared just the same.

On 7/15/10, lynne/ca wrote:
> On 7/14/10, ELA Teacher wrote:
>> Hello,
>>
>> I will be teaching high school for my first time this year
>> and could really use some advice on age-appropriate class
>> attention procedures.
>>
>> When I taught middle school, I used Harry Wong's "Give Me
>> Five", and that worked great for 6th and 7th grades, but my
>> 8th graders felt it was too childish for them... I can only
>> imagine what the high schoolers will think!
>>
>> I've seen some examples of "turning off the lights"
>
>
> Congratulations on your new position!
>
> With some high school classes simply saying "I need your
> attention please" (or something to that effect) is a good
> enough signal.
>
> I have seen teachers raise their hand as a signal for other
> students to stop talking and raise their own hands -
> effective because even if a student doesn't see the teacher
> raise her hand, the student will see peers start raising
> their hands.
>
> I've also seen teachers clap once and expect students to clap
> back.
>
> Another teacher played a few seconds of music from a CD
> player (this same teacher just began talking and asked for
> the student's attention when students were already working
> relatively quietly at their desks - only used the music for
> transitions from "louder" projects such as group work)
>
> I've seen a few teachers use bells, chimes, etc (a Spanish
> teacher used a maraca) - there are many positibilities; if
> you use a noisemaker I'd recommend something that isn't too
> loud or "obnoxious" - if students perceive it along the lines
> of being yelled at, you've defeated the purpose of using a
> sound signal.
>
> Likewise I don't really like the lights on-and-off thing -
> students often perceive it as "rude" and it can also be a
> trigger for a small number of students with photosensitive
> epilepsy or migraine issues. Another reason it may not be the
> best choice is that you have to be at the light switch to do
> it - for myself I've always preferred a signal that could be
> used from anywhere in the room.
>
> Find what fits your personality - my suggestion is just that
> it be something relatively quick, relatively convenient and
> not perceived by students as disrespectful or annoying. You
> might also ask teachers at your new school for ideas - that
> wil give you an idea what type of thing works well with your
> school's population and what they're most used to.

More | Report Post

Next Post >>

Posts on this thread, including this one