Wednesday morning my students were especially squirrely. (As it turns out the problem was school-wide come Thursday.) By the time we were half an hour in the day I had sent three students back to their seats because they couldn't appropriately participate in our lessons.
At one point, as they were all sitting at their tables, I realized that those three were three of the brightest students in my classroom. At that moment it hit me that it is much more likely that the problem was me, not the kids.
I have a lot of thinking to do about my classroom management, structure of our daily schedule, and engaging my students in the lessons.
4 comments:
On behalf of current, past, and future students who go from bored to disruptive, I thank you for taking a moment to step back and think about how you can help us stay focused. :)
The students (no matter the age) are smart enough to figure out that we are all counting down days. This is the time that great teachers shine. Reflecting like you have and realizing that the same old lessons might be the problem is a great indicator of superior teaching.
wow, preaching to the choir...i had one of those days today as well...but in my reflection i realized i need to not react to one particularly challenged young man (recently diagnosed ADHD, I diagnosed him on the second week of school)....monday is another day to start over and try again, as is tuesday and wednesday and......
teaching is hard work!
I'm right there with you. I had to have a kid bring me back to reality. She said to me, "Gee, Mrs. L, you're being kind of mean. No wonder _____ isn't listening."
Wow, I have some changes I need to make.
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