Korean Job Discussion Forums

[xCustomx]

after a group activity, how do you get them to quiet down and focus on the next task? some of the co-teachers just sit in the back of the class and don't do anything to help. i'm gonna talk to all the teachers later today, but am interested in any other methods that may be effective (other than yelling)

[poet13]

If your school has class captains, I have found them to be very effective. At the beginning of the year, I give them ownership for certain responsibilities in the classroom. When I have one student, or a small group of students getting out of line, I have the class captain stand up, and I ask him why 'his' class is out of order. It's embarassing to be called up like that, as they take their responsibility seriously. Sometimes peer pressure is more effective than any other. I also make sure to praise them when they have done well too.
Most of my students are fairly attentive and interested in what I have to say, so I will stutter-repeat. That is, I will start to say something, stop, and repeat it a couple of times. Then I will just stop talking and look at the unruly students. In almost every case, the rest of the class will tell them to stop.
As far as getting the entire classes attention, I think it's easier to get one groups attention first, and then the next. I think it's very difficult to get everyones attention at once without, as you say, yelling, or as I say, without setting one on fire.

Hope that helps.

[ddeubel]

xcustomx,

I know what you mean ...... this can be a major glitch in any lesson. You get them going and then you just can't change the gears.

What I have found in Korea that works very well is of all things, a bell! I got this from my first co-teacher and adapted it. It is a golden bell, you hit the top of. Not a cheap thing like from a hotel counter but I guess this could work too.

What I do is that when I want to have the class stop, I strike it. Students have been taught to FREEZE, in mid motion. Best freezer, first, can get a reward. Kids love it, they just stop in mid motion, like it is a game. Then I pause a moment, and then tap again very lightly, to mean, calm down and listen to me.......

Might be worth a try but beats the heck out of clapping, shouting , whistling. Though when I start lessons with young students, the clap and repeat until everyone is paying attention, works well too....

DD

[Whistleblower]

[Boodleheimer]

i clap or use my Buddhist stick (which makes a good wood-slapping noise)

[xCustomx]

Thanks everyone for the advice. I had a rough first class this morning with the 2nd grade MS, but the next class wasn't a problem at all. I'll be sure to try the bell example and if that doesn't work, then I may assign the class captain to assist. When I stare at certain individuals, it usually proves effective, but usually takes too long. Ideally I could make a smooth transition between each activity and get everyone to quiet down, but I know this probably isn't possible each and every time.

[ilovebdt]

[While Away]

This is a good question, even for older University students. I learned in my CELTA class to raise my hand in the air. This is good because what if one student is about to say the best, most profound English statement of their life to their partner, and you shout out "Quiet". A hand raised in the air lets them all finish a statement.
However, I get a lot of blank looks when I raise my hand in the air, it just doesn't seem to catch on. Some confusion, some students raise their hand in "reply". Just never catches on. Maybe the bell is good, but I change room every class.

[xCustomx]

[kat2]

Bell works wonders with my ES class.

I also heard someone say they say "Daehanmnguk". You know the soccer chant? And then the kids clap back. I want to try that one.

[poet13]

Does your school have class captains already? At the beginning of class, does one student stand, call the others to attention, and greet the teacher with bow? At the end of class, does the same thing happen?
At our school, captain and vice-captain were elected by their classes at the beginning of the year. It at least ensures that that person has the respect of their fellow students.

[xCustomx]

[poet13]

I would enforce it. It doesn't happen often, but when I have a couple of students who ignore the "attention, bow" order from their class captain, I have them repeat. The students don't resent me, they are annoyed with the offenders.

[passport220]

I give an overview of what we will do in class. When I first walk in it is normal for most in class to be out of their chairs and goofing off. I teach public middle school. I allow this to continue as I write my outline on the board.

Example:

I) Song: �White Flag� by Dido with worksheet
II) The Tomato War Festival in Spain
III) Art

When I finish writing I spin around with a deadly serious facial expression and launch into this overview with a booming voice. �THIS IS WHAT WE WILL DO IN CLASS TODAY �.NUMBER 1!....." I raise a finger as I count off each activity. "NUMBER 2!..." I plow ahead with the overview. "NUMBER 3!..." The kids just stare at me some with mouths a gasp. I think only a handful understand the basic concept that all I am doing is going over an outline of class activities. I think some are worried that I am counting down to some type of punishment. However, by and large when I reach the end they are sitting down and are quiet. I then soften my demeanor smile and greet them. If their behavior allows I am completely friendly and gentle with them for the rest of the class.

[kimchi story]

I like the idea of using the class captains - I hadn't thought of that at all.

I count down from ten, with a raised hand for the last 5. The kids catch on pretty quick to it and like to have something to finish it with like 'zero!' or my fave, 'bungy!'