Justmelg said:
Standing at front of class, talking as if to myself, 'Ah, they're all chatting when I need them to be listening.' (at this point the ones in front are shushing the rest) If the noise continues... 'Shame, I'll have to keep them in for a while to make the time up...' I put a tally mark on the board and keep them in for a minute. I do add tally marks if necessary during the session.
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Justmelg, you'll have to explain who the 'them'are you referred to above. If it is the children talking, fair enough. If the whole class then I'd say detaining a whole class (including children who've not misbehaved at all) is a bad idea.
I rarely shouted, like Bigkid. Below is advice on getting a class quiet I shared with a new teacher whose chatty year 7 class I took over when they were year 8. I posted it on another thread. Can't guarantee it works for everyone, but it worked for me year on year. (A long post, apologies).
When I was about 5 years into my career I remember an NQT in my department noticed there was a calmer, quieter atmosphere in my class than his. I explained that was because I'd 'gone in hard', 'shown I was boss from the start', etc - the usual vague, general comments. He asked exactly what that meant. I said I couldn't show him this late in the year but could at the start of a year.
He had a year 7 class that wouldn't stop talking and listen to him - he said it felt like a battle all year. He'd shouted and given lots of detentions, referred pupils but it continued. All year. I was given the same class next year when they were year 8. I suggested he supported me with this class at the start of the year so he could see what I did differently to him. As his frees meant he could do this 4 out of 6 lessons a fortnight the HOD agreed.
Their second lesson he was with me when I asked the class to stop talking and look at me and listen, pens down. I made this request loud enough for the class to hear if they weren't talking. As they were many wouldn't have heard. The first two rows did. Half the class were in coversation so ignored me. I wrote on the board, "Asked class to listen to me 1 times". I asked again, a few were still talking so I rubbed out 1 and wrote 2. More of the class were quiet. I asked a third time, a few carried on talking and I wrote 3 in place of the 2. I scanned the room, noticed the people still talking and used the seating plan to write their names on the board, followed by 'still talking'. 5 pupils. I noted them on the seating plan and asked them to wait at the end of the lesson, refusing to argue but insisting we'd discuss it later. The class were quiet enough to teach and I explained the work.
The new teacher stayed behind as I explained that I thought it was unacceptable to carry on talking when I'd asked 3 times to listen, (I believe you it wasn't only talking you but you were, next time if you aren't talking others will be caught), saw me hold up detention slips and warn that if they, or anyone, was that rude again they'd be guaranteed a detention from me. I said I'd warn the class next lesson.
More significantly he saw me follow up this conversation with the 5 pupils with 5 phone calls to their parents, where I complimented each pupil before saying that I'd spoken to them about not listening when I'm trying to teach. I told the parents I'd give a detention if they did it again, which they all said was fair, most said I should have given one this time. I asked if they could discuss this with their child - they said they would.
The new teacher was there at the start of the next lesson when I warned the class that when I ask for attention I expect to get it. I said that last lesson was the one and only time I'd put a name on the board for not listening 3 times and not give a detention. I added that a detention meant a phone call home - they knew I meant it as word would have spread that I phoned parents already.
I explained to the new teacher that because I'd spelt out my expectations, and the sanctions for not behaving, there would be little arguements when I've put 1,2,3 on the board, then names. In fact, he noted that nearly everyone was listening on the '2'.
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