My entire class LOVES to talk, is continuously making distracting
noises, are often off task, don’t follow direction, very dependent and most
enjoy being the boss. With all these factors it is difficult to get my 2 cents
in at times. After almost giving up, I decided I need to just focus on a FEW
main issues and not the BIG picture. While the few issues I have picked do contribute
to the BIGGER PICTURE there are many more where they came from! haha
In 4th grade we are changing the “focus”. The
goal is to add 3 more focus issues every 2 weeks until we have them all under
control…I am being optimistic!
The three focus issues this week are:
-Sitting up
-On task
-No distractions
My kids have already nick-named it SON. I just say "SON" and they all automatically know what it means! We also have started using the saying "Look Smart, Act Smart, Be Smart" These two things combined really get the whole groups attention and bring them back to focusing on their 3 tasks.
These 3 things are printed on a bright yellow rectangle of
paper. Each item has 3 squares after it. Each time I see the students not doing
one of the items listed they get a tally in the box it correlates with. In 4th
grade we have a 3 strikes you’re OUT, rule! Once you have 3 squares filled in
an area any tally after that results in 1 minute of sitting out during recess.
So if you have 5 tallies under sitting up, the student sits at recess for 2
minutes. The first 3 are warnings (or better known as MY tolerance.) I feel
that 3 warnings are PLENTY of notice and a heads up to what behavior they need
to change.
Day 1: No one had to sit out but many did have 3 boxes in one area filled. They were very observant of what was
going on. The students were aware of where they stood and really were focused
on not getting 3 strikes!
**I did however learn that an overhead marker DOESN’T work
for the policy. Day 2 I will be using a Sharpie and just erasing it with a
magic rub eraser.
Today was a so much smoother than all the days of 4th
grade combined. It really made it easy. I didn’t let the “other” things
distract me because I had already determined I was going to focus on the 3
above issues. That helped to take the pressure off of the kids and it also
helped me to see which students have the most issues or cause me to get to my
breaking point.
I am hoping that Day 2 will have similar results! J
Day 2: Great day for the entire class! I started the day off by reviewing the focuses and then we were off and running with the day's activities. The kids were a little concerned when I pulled out the Sharpie and not the overhead marker. I explained that I had a special way of removing the mark and it would not be with them all year (they were worried about that! haha). A few student had to sit out a few minutes.
Day 3: Difficult day! This week was homecoming so that had something to do with it. The kids were very squirly and that also had an affect on the management. I survived the day and I many kids had their yellow cards filled before the day was up. It wasnt' the best but I didn't give up. I ended the day and told them tomorrow was a new day and I knew we could do better.
Day 4: WONDERFUL! It was complete opposite from Wednesday (Thank God!). I was excited that we came back to normal. :) They were still dressed up for Homecoming but they had so many items sitting on my desk from the day before they had learned not to mess with their costume. We had indoor recess (which always sucks) but while at recess I was able to defuse a issue with a frequent office visitor! (That made my day!!!!!)
Day 5 aka Homecoming Friday: I was worried about this day and I was sure it was just going to throw my whole system into the fire. I came out of the barrel hott and I didn't stop. But I didn't need to! The kids were great! Very attentive and stayed on task for most of the morning. I was so impressed. After lunch and recess we piled on to the bus to go to the Homecoming activities at the High School. I had a few behavior issues at the school but other than that Friday was a great day!
So I made it 1 full week with my new plan. I think it is working great! My stress level is not as high and most of the class hasn't received a tally for sitting up since Wednesday (it's becoming a habit!).
Day 3: Difficult day! This week was homecoming so that had something to do with it. The kids were very squirly and that also had an affect on the management. I survived the day and I many kids had their yellow cards filled before the day was up. It wasnt' the best but I didn't give up. I ended the day and told them tomorrow was a new day and I knew we could do better.
Day 4: WONDERFUL! It was complete opposite from Wednesday (Thank God!). I was excited that we came back to normal. :) They were still dressed up for Homecoming but they had so many items sitting on my desk from the day before they had learned not to mess with their costume. We had indoor recess (which always sucks) but while at recess I was able to defuse a issue with a frequent office visitor! (That made my day!!!!!)
Day 5 aka Homecoming Friday: I was worried about this day and I was sure it was just going to throw my whole system into the fire. I came out of the barrel hott and I didn't stop. But I didn't need to! The kids were great! Very attentive and stayed on task for most of the morning. I was so impressed. After lunch and recess we piled on to the bus to go to the Homecoming activities at the High School. I had a few behavior issues at the school but other than that Friday was a great day!
So I made it 1 full week with my new plan. I think it is working great! My stress level is not as high and most of the class hasn't received a tally for sitting up since Wednesday (it's becoming a habit!).
