Controlling the Classroom
Behavior
Behavior is the first aspect of class that must be pushed at a very early stage in order for the rest of the class, and the future of the students’ education, to be effective and successful. Set the pace of the class each day in the first few minutes of class. Remember that you are teachers, not friends. First control the class, then have fun. Be confident as the authority, if students suspect that you cannot control them, then the entire class will attack!
1.) Choose where students sit in all classes
- Make even teams by education level, sex, maturity, competitiveness
- Separate friends on opposite teams
- Put strong students next to weaker students
- Put chronic misbehaved students on the far sides of the classroom so they disrupt other students as little as possible
- Have boys sit next to girls as much as possible… It creates a better mix of maturity level often, and is also good for future socialization.
*This is not always popular, but once it is a standard with the class there is never a problem.
**When starting this have all students standing in a line with their book bags. Then seat a few students that will follow the new rule easily… Then seat the students that may throw a fit. This dissuades the strong minded students from throwing a fit and understanding that this is the rule of the class and if they don’t follow the rule, then they can talk with the TA and their parents outside.
(The TA should be able to explain to the parents that this is for the best of the class for their son or daughter easily)
2.) Make an example out of a student that can handle it!In the first few minutes, find a reason to reprimand a student for something that is not considered proper classroom behavior. Choose a student that will not mind the reprimand. This will show students that the teacher is the boss of the room and your say is the law in the classroom.
*Simply find a minor infraction of the rules of the classroom and reprimand a student
**Not sitting nicely… Have that student stand up
***Spoke Chinese… Do 3 frog jumps / Teacher I’m Sorry Dance
****Not listening to the teacher… Lose one game with their name on the board
*****Too crazy jumping around dangerously… Sit in the no game chair for 30 seconds
******TA… Anything that is bad behavior… Have the student sit next to the TA until they behave better, then they may return to their seat. (Any student that must sit next to a TA for this reason may not play games) The TA must also let the class know WHY they are reprimanding the student.
3.) Rules and Repercussions-Have simple Rules and Repercussions for all classes that are fair and unwavering
-Do not change the repercussions for different students, or be lenient… (Once a rule is set, and students are all aware of the repercussions, then the class won’t be upset about being penalized)
-Always allow 1 warning to very young students, and reiterate the consequences of breaking the rules
-Keep Rules and Repercussions as Simple as possible… Too many different rules and repercussions create a confusing atmosphere for children.
Y Level (5-8 years old)
Behavior at this level is simply training students to respond to commands, sitting nicely, repeating after the teacher, and not acting in a way to bother or endanger other students. This can take months to do, but with simple rules, and reinforcement, this can be created relatively easily to create a healthy environment for students to learn. As students can’t speak English at this level, a visual stimulant is needed. Teachers and TA’s need to be active in adding and erasing team points to show which students are behaving in a positive way and which students are not. Always tell students why they are either getting points or losing points. If a teacher doesn't have the TA tell students why they are gaining or losing points, this system is pointless.
1.) Sitting nicely: At all times during class the teachers should be adding and erasing points on the board for students that are sitting nicely or not.
2.) Repeating after the Teacher: At all times during class the teachers should be adding and erasing points on the board to encourage students to repeat after the teacher. (This can also be done easily with finger points, or other generic drills by the teacher)
3.) 54321: At any time during active drills or games if the teacher turns his or her back to the class and looks at the board, and either counts down verbally or with finger gestures, students must return to their seats and sit perfectly without a sound. At 0 the teacher turns around to look at the students.(to try and catch a student out of place or making noise) For students sitting perfectly their team gets points. If a student is not sitting perfectly and quietly, then the teacher must count down again. This is an amusing game to students that teaches perfect sitting and being quiet. If the teacher gives slack during this game, (Students make any noise, or don’t sit perfectly with their hands on their knees) then this will not effectively curb students behavior during class. Of course starting this many students will not truly understand, but with time and positive and negative reinforcement (adding and erasing points after each round… praising good students with high fives, and not giving high fives to students that failed) this will help to take a class from running and shouting, to perfect stillness and quietness.
4.) No Game Seat: At all times during class if a student is not behaving appropriately (not watching the teacher, speaking Chinese, not sitting nicely, annoying other students) have that student sit in the “No Game Seat”. The student must sit in this area which is away from other students until they behave appropriately. In most cases this should be 20-30 seconds. During the drill the teacher can constantly move students in and out of this seat just to keep all students on their toes. At the end of the drill if a student still remains there, they may not play the game that follows. This works well for simple drills with students seated, repeating after the teacher. In reality, hopefully the students switch so quickly and often that there is no student seated there at the end of the drill.
5.) Endangering other students: If at any time a student endangers another student whether it be a fight, absent minded swinging of hands, pushing, tripping or otherwise… That students’ name goes on the board and they may not play the next big game. During games that this happens, instantly have that student sit down and not continue the current game. If the actions were intended, they must sit out the next game… If unintended as most are, have the TA talk to the student, and allow them to play the next game.
*Students that endanger other students purposefully; lose a game and also a money card.
A Level (9-14 years old)
1.) Sitting Nicely: If a student cannot sit nicely that student must stand up. If the student cannot stand nicely, then their friend, or team must also stand up with them. Students that stand nicely for 30 seconds and join back into the lesson productively may sit back down. This is just a quick and easy reprimand to keep students paying attention and sitting nicely. If the teacher cannot create a class that sits appropriately, then it will be much harder throughout the lesson to have students speak and behave properly.
2.) Repeating after the Teacher: If at any point during the lesson, a student does not repeat after the teacher, call their name and let them know that the class must repeat the same sentence again because of that student. If a student continually does not repeat after the teacher, have the student repeat the sentence alone after the class has. If the student cannot repeat the sentence properly, have the class repeat the sentence together again, then have the single student try to say the sentence alone again. This should push students to repeat together quickly and efficiently so they may finish the drill and play a game. This also pushes students to truly think about what they are saying so that they do not get caught sleeping, and have to repeat the sentence alone. If the student is troubled/ shy/ immature it may help to not specifically focus on that student to repeat alone first. Instead have a few better students repeat alone first to give a little warning and preparation prior to being “on the spot” speaking alone. All students need to be repeating after the teacher together in unison constantly in order to push English into a reflex of speaking.
3.) No Game Wall of Shame: Any students that are misbehaving in a destructive way during class should have their name written on the board. The students with their names written on the board will not get to take part in the next game that is played. After the student misses a game, their name is erased and they are back to a clean slate. If a student is continually misbehaving, check marks can be put next to the names of the students to show further games that they are not permitted to play.
4.) No Chinese: If a student is caught speaking Chinese without permission that student may get the choice between doing 3 frog jumps (Squat Jumps/ Jumping Jacks… Simple Physical activity) Or doing the “Teacher I’m Sorry Dance” (Singing “Teacher I’m Sorry” 3 times and spinning around 3 times). Speaking Chinese constantly in the classroom can truly hinder a students’ progress. Encourage children to whisper to each other in English if they must. This amusing reprimand should be used so often that it should be a funny annoyance rather than embarrassing. When starting this, teachers should have fun with it and show students by example the actions/ dances required to further show its no big deal.
*This may also be used with “YES” and “NO” answers. Students should always be able to give complete answers… Yes, I can. No, I won’t. Yes, I am. Or full explanations after saying yes/no. Yes, I went to the mall yesterday. No, I will go to shanghai next week.
5.) Writing Words Outside: If a student is consistently misbehaving and interrupting the classes learning, that student should go outside the classroom to write words / grammar, which has to do with the lesson. After completion, the student may enter the classroom again to take part. This is the last punishment that should be used as it puts the child outside the classroom alone. Only if a student is misbehaving constantly, or endangering other students should this be used. Be sure that what the student is writing is appropriate to the lesson. (Copy the page of the unit.)
Behavior is the first aspect of class that must be pushed at a very early stage in order for the rest of the class, and the future of the students’ education, to be effective and successful. Set the pace of the class each day in the first few minutes of class. Remember that you are teachers, not friends. First control the class, then have fun. Be confident as the authority, if students suspect that you cannot control them, then the entire class will attack!
1.) Choose where students sit in all classes
- Make even teams by education level, sex, maturity, competitiveness
- Separate friends on opposite teams
- Put strong students next to weaker students
- Put chronic misbehaved students on the far sides of the classroom so they disrupt other students as little as possible
- Have boys sit next to girls as much as possible… It creates a better mix of maturity level often, and is also good for future socialization.
*This is not always popular, but once it is a standard with the class there is never a problem.
**When starting this have all students standing in a line with their book bags. Then seat a few students that will follow the new rule easily… Then seat the students that may throw a fit. This dissuades the strong minded students from throwing a fit and understanding that this is the rule of the class and if they don’t follow the rule, then they can talk with the TA and their parents outside.
(The TA should be able to explain to the parents that this is for the best of the class for their son or daughter easily)
2.) Make an example out of a student that can handle it!In the first few minutes, find a reason to reprimand a student for something that is not considered proper classroom behavior. Choose a student that will not mind the reprimand. This will show students that the teacher is the boss of the room and your say is the law in the classroom.
*Simply find a minor infraction of the rules of the classroom and reprimand a student
**Not sitting nicely… Have that student stand up
***Spoke Chinese… Do 3 frog jumps / Teacher I’m Sorry Dance
****Not listening to the teacher… Lose one game with their name on the board
*****Too crazy jumping around dangerously… Sit in the no game chair for 30 seconds
******TA… Anything that is bad behavior… Have the student sit next to the TA until they behave better, then they may return to their seat. (Any student that must sit next to a TA for this reason may not play games) The TA must also let the class know WHY they are reprimanding the student.
3.) Rules and Repercussions-Have simple Rules and Repercussions for all classes that are fair and unwavering
-Do not change the repercussions for different students, or be lenient… (Once a rule is set, and students are all aware of the repercussions, then the class won’t be upset about being penalized)
-Always allow 1 warning to very young students, and reiterate the consequences of breaking the rules
-Keep Rules and Repercussions as Simple as possible… Too many different rules and repercussions create a confusing atmosphere for children.
Y Level (5-8 years old)
Behavior at this level is simply training students to respond to commands, sitting nicely, repeating after the teacher, and not acting in a way to bother or endanger other students. This can take months to do, but with simple rules, and reinforcement, this can be created relatively easily to create a healthy environment for students to learn. As students can’t speak English at this level, a visual stimulant is needed. Teachers and TA’s need to be active in adding and erasing team points to show which students are behaving in a positive way and which students are not. Always tell students why they are either getting points or losing points. If a teacher doesn't have the TA tell students why they are gaining or losing points, this system is pointless.
1.) Sitting nicely: At all times during class the teachers should be adding and erasing points on the board for students that are sitting nicely or not.
2.) Repeating after the Teacher: At all times during class the teachers should be adding and erasing points on the board to encourage students to repeat after the teacher. (This can also be done easily with finger points, or other generic drills by the teacher)
3.) 54321: At any time during active drills or games if the teacher turns his or her back to the class and looks at the board, and either counts down verbally or with finger gestures, students must return to their seats and sit perfectly without a sound. At 0 the teacher turns around to look at the students.(to try and catch a student out of place or making noise) For students sitting perfectly their team gets points. If a student is not sitting perfectly and quietly, then the teacher must count down again. This is an amusing game to students that teaches perfect sitting and being quiet. If the teacher gives slack during this game, (Students make any noise, or don’t sit perfectly with their hands on their knees) then this will not effectively curb students behavior during class. Of course starting this many students will not truly understand, but with time and positive and negative reinforcement (adding and erasing points after each round… praising good students with high fives, and not giving high fives to students that failed) this will help to take a class from running and shouting, to perfect stillness and quietness.
4.) No Game Seat: At all times during class if a student is not behaving appropriately (not watching the teacher, speaking Chinese, not sitting nicely, annoying other students) have that student sit in the “No Game Seat”. The student must sit in this area which is away from other students until they behave appropriately. In most cases this should be 20-30 seconds. During the drill the teacher can constantly move students in and out of this seat just to keep all students on their toes. At the end of the drill if a student still remains there, they may not play the game that follows. This works well for simple drills with students seated, repeating after the teacher. In reality, hopefully the students switch so quickly and often that there is no student seated there at the end of the drill.
5.) Endangering other students: If at any time a student endangers another student whether it be a fight, absent minded swinging of hands, pushing, tripping or otherwise… That students’ name goes on the board and they may not play the next big game. During games that this happens, instantly have that student sit down and not continue the current game. If the actions were intended, they must sit out the next game… If unintended as most are, have the TA talk to the student, and allow them to play the next game.
*Students that endanger other students purposefully; lose a game and also a money card.
A Level (9-14 years old)
1.) Sitting Nicely: If a student cannot sit nicely that student must stand up. If the student cannot stand nicely, then their friend, or team must also stand up with them. Students that stand nicely for 30 seconds and join back into the lesson productively may sit back down. This is just a quick and easy reprimand to keep students paying attention and sitting nicely. If the teacher cannot create a class that sits appropriately, then it will be much harder throughout the lesson to have students speak and behave properly.
2.) Repeating after the Teacher: If at any point during the lesson, a student does not repeat after the teacher, call their name and let them know that the class must repeat the same sentence again because of that student. If a student continually does not repeat after the teacher, have the student repeat the sentence alone after the class has. If the student cannot repeat the sentence properly, have the class repeat the sentence together again, then have the single student try to say the sentence alone again. This should push students to repeat together quickly and efficiently so they may finish the drill and play a game. This also pushes students to truly think about what they are saying so that they do not get caught sleeping, and have to repeat the sentence alone. If the student is troubled/ shy/ immature it may help to not specifically focus on that student to repeat alone first. Instead have a few better students repeat alone first to give a little warning and preparation prior to being “on the spot” speaking alone. All students need to be repeating after the teacher together in unison constantly in order to push English into a reflex of speaking.
3.) No Game Wall of Shame: Any students that are misbehaving in a destructive way during class should have their name written on the board. The students with their names written on the board will not get to take part in the next game that is played. After the student misses a game, their name is erased and they are back to a clean slate. If a student is continually misbehaving, check marks can be put next to the names of the students to show further games that they are not permitted to play.
4.) No Chinese: If a student is caught speaking Chinese without permission that student may get the choice between doing 3 frog jumps (Squat Jumps/ Jumping Jacks… Simple Physical activity) Or doing the “Teacher I’m Sorry Dance” (Singing “Teacher I’m Sorry” 3 times and spinning around 3 times). Speaking Chinese constantly in the classroom can truly hinder a students’ progress. Encourage children to whisper to each other in English if they must. This amusing reprimand should be used so often that it should be a funny annoyance rather than embarrassing. When starting this, teachers should have fun with it and show students by example the actions/ dances required to further show its no big deal.
*This may also be used with “YES” and “NO” answers. Students should always be able to give complete answers… Yes, I can. No, I won’t. Yes, I am. Or full explanations after saying yes/no. Yes, I went to the mall yesterday. No, I will go to shanghai next week.
5.) Writing Words Outside: If a student is consistently misbehaving and interrupting the classes learning, that student should go outside the classroom to write words / grammar, which has to do with the lesson. After completion, the student may enter the classroom again to take part. This is the last punishment that should be used as it puts the child outside the classroom alone. Only if a student is misbehaving constantly, or endangering other students should this be used. Be sure that what the student is writing is appropriate to the lesson. (Copy the page of the unit.)
