Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Boating3]

I've only taught elementary school in the past and am new to teaching high school this year (1st and 2nd grade). I know I've got to start the year out strong with discipline, then relax it later if needed. What has worked well for you? Squats, move their desk, copy the sentences worksheets? Do point systems work (winner at the end of the day, or groups work up to a certain amount of points over weeks for a prize)?

I'm mainly concerned with sleeping students because I've heard that's a problem at this school--how do you deal with it?

As a side question---what rules were important for you to put into place on the first day?

Positive reinforcement ideas welcome as well! Thank you in advance!

[Ramen]

2 X 4.

[jrwhite82]

For the sleeping students, you should understand where a lot of these kids are coming from. Many of them are either totally jaded after 9 or 10 years of school overdose here. The others are burnt out from all the hagwons and studying they have to do.

That being said, you still can't let them sleep in class, it's just not something worth flipping out on them over. When you're teaching you have to walk around the room. If you see a sleeper go up behind him and give his chair a little bump with your hip as you walk by, or tap him on the shoulder. Tell him he has 2 minutes to get a drink of water and stretch in the hallway and then has to be back in his chair with his head off his hands and desk.

Things you can do: incorporate opportunities for them to move around as part of your lesson, vary the volume of your voice, move around the room, keep the lights on and window blinds up, no hats/sunglasses, no heads allowed on desks, don't lecture the whole time (allow them to speak a lot more than you).

If many members of your class are sleeping, don't blame them, blame yourself.

[Totti]

[winterfall]

I teach at a tech school, so granted my discipline is a little bit more extreme than what you would need at a academic school.

The point system works, but you need to combine it with other stuff. I use a point currency and after a certain amount they can buy things from me like candy, cookies, ice cream. If you buy in bulk off gmarket, its not expensive. But becareful with the points, they will actively try to steal or counterfeit them.

You definitely need a laser pointer. You can strobe kids that aren't paying attention / acting up. Also get a halogen bulb flash light. It'll burn through their eye lids, wake em right up.

I also keep punishment cards and a list on the board. Knowing what the punishment will be keeps them in line.

Step 1: Change seat
Step 2: Arms up
Step 3: Duck walk, 4 laps around class
Step 4: I don't know what you call it, but they make their body into a little V and they've gotta hold it
Step 5: Get out!!! - we talk to homeroom teacher or VP and I tell them everything I've done.
Step 6: (2nd time kick out) If the homeroom teacher and school approves, we go hiking together on the weekend. I usually pick the rockiest route on the hardest mountain
- I've done Step 6, 4x in the last 2 years. Never had a problem with the same kids again. Even when they moved up grades

[jrwhite82]

[winterfall]

[Cerulean]

I was told late last year with the new changes that squats, arms up, duck walk and anything like that is not allowed anymore.

[happiness]

[Illysook]

I've been teaching high school for the last 9 months. It can be frustrating when you've poured your heart into a fun topic and your students don't want to participate. Still, you have to pick your battles and you have to be willing to listen to your co-teachers when they tell you that your lesson is too hard. You have all levels in your class, but mostly low. Keep the lessons modestly challenging and motivate the smarter kids with extra credit questions or a chance to earn an award or recognition of some kind.

[winterfall]

[kimchi_pizza]

Think soccer and carry a yellow card and red card.

If you see a "foul" blow a whistle and throw up a card and (act like) writing the name and offence of the student on a little notebook. You don't even have to say what the student did wrong or what the punishment is or will be, in fact, you don't need one. Jot it down and resume "play" or teaching.

Connect it to soccer and they'll pay attention and correct themselves. Then at the end of the year, toss the notebook.

You can even take it a step further and create a "penalty box"! ha.

I've never done this myself, but I always thought it'd be fun to try!

[Cerulean]

[Ramen]

[winterfall]