I have used a similar tactic for late arrivals to class. I always write the class name (e.g. M6/2) at the top of the board and the start and finish time of the lesson underneath that. (It helps me to remember as well).When I get a bad class with lots of late arrivals I check my watch when a late comer arrives. If I let that student into class I will rub out the start time and replace it with the time the student arrived. I will also rub out the finish time and replace it with the time 50 minutes after my new start time. Unlike you Anna I do tell the class what I am doing. I ask the student his nickname and number and make a note of them - I make a big play of writing them down. If the student has no good reason for being late I will start the lesson again going over stuff I have already covered. I tell the class we are starting again because 'so and so' was late and it is an important lesson. And I say it is OK with me because I have lots of time.I have only done this with a class when I have a free period following my lesson - so I do have a 'spare' 50 minutes to play with. One class protested that if I kept them in, then they would be late for their maths lesson that followed my English lesson. I asked them who was the teacher - they said a Thai name ('X'). I asked what would Ajarn X do if they were late and they said they would probably get hit. So I smiled (Thai style) and told them all that was not my problem - next time they should arrive for my lesson on time. I don't know if they did get hit but they arrived on time next time I taught them.Originally Posted by Anna Key
Last edited by TopCat; 25th October 2012 at 00:18.
Punishing a whole class for the actions of a few is a big teaching no no
Have you ever seen a speech by the King ? What are the Guvvie hacks doing ? They are all talking
You won't change Thailand
you need to change
Loads of good advice here I think, especially around positive reinforcement. Sometimes helps to think about the purpose(function) of the behaviour and then change the antecedents or the consequences. So for example, from what you say, the antecedent to the students behaviour is you talking, the consequence of the behaviour is that they do less work ( so the function can be said to be demand or task avoidance). If the consequence is changed so that talking in class whilst you are talking actually results in more work for them (you ask them a question, or get them to do a task) then that behaviour is no longer functional and it will stop. Combine this with positive reinforcement when they are on task.
Be careful using time out strategies (removal from the classroom for example) for behaviour which is demand avoidant as obviously this might just reinforce the behaviour. Time out is a more productive strategy for attention driven behaviour, though there will be times when sending a pupil out of the class is the only option, irrespective of the function of their behaviour.
Anna Key's response cost strategy is also good one, ( but they should always be left with some portion of the reinforcer). In similar vein you can also add extra time on preferred activities as a positive reinforcer (curriculum based preferably).
"Peace is that brief, glorious moment in history when everyone stands around reloading" Anonymous
Says who?
"Take this, brother; may it serve you well."
^ quality teaching paedagogy and in my specific case my boss
I'm not sure if this will help but when I studied in Thailand, most students who didn't want to pay attention (labelled stubborn by teachers) chose to sit in the back of the room ... so maybe rotate the seats? or seat them in groups that mix different types of students?
Re-starting a class because of a few late students? Never heard of it.
When I was in school I used to talk more often than others. My teacher used to point me many times I have a normal chatting with my friends. I think this is the period when kids have lots of enjoyment. So I think keep them talking and enjoying...
.
Students who are late for me lose their school bags for a period or longer. Those that don't bring their bags to class get their bags taken later. As a result they can't copy homework and get in trouble for their next class. My students are rarely late in any class. No namby, pamby discipline measures work. Kids need to see you have balls and if you worry about admin or parents and don't show balls you are screwed from the start. Until a kid gets a parent in to complain or the boss tells me not do take the bags I will carry on. Late comers screw the lesson up and stop everyone else learning.
Is there any point when you think 'OK start the teaching and learning' ?
but you can find quality teachering pedagogy to support whatever position you choose to take...
that, on the other hand, is iron-clad.and in my specific case my boss
Imodium can't stop me.
but you can find quality teachering pedagogy to support whatever position you choose to take...
Teaching pedagogy goes out of the window in most schools in Thailand. Its about what works and what doesn't and how far the individual is prepared to go to get the desired results. People can moan all they want or take decisive action. I keep their bags and there's nothing they can do about it unless they're prepared to get their parents in. Good dicispline come from a healthy relationship with the boss.
Hi Phil,
It sounds like you are doing a great job, actually, and running into the same difficulties most of us have with bored students. I found something called Whole Brain Teaching at Want Online Professional Development Credit?? Watch WBT TV Below! that has been giving me some positive results. Just the simple Class Yes routine got my worst class to be quiet especially when I drew a happy and sad face on the wall and starting marking under the sad face. I offered to show them some Mr. Bean if they were able to get through the lesson. The week before I tried, I had to stop the lesson and lecture them on giving respect to teachers. I did the Class Yes and rules and was able to finish the reading and still fit in Mr. Bean. I thought they were angry with me at first and then they surprised me. They sang Happy Birthday to me and gave me cookies.
These kids get too much time to play at school and get very little effective discipline other than a swat on the head with a stick. I don't carry one. The WBT is free, as far as I can tell as I haven't given them anything. Great videos and I have even read a few here on Ajarn have used it successfully.
---Update---
Sorry about the title of that web page. It is actually Want Online Professional Development Credit?? Watch WBT TV Below!. I don't know why that shows up.
Nasty stuff..... haven't we been through his before?...If I'm not mistaken....Lee 'where do you bowl' Leper ring any bells?..
Founder Chris Biffle...modern day snake oil salesman.....to be avoided at all costs....
He hasn't sold me a thing and I don't plan to buy anything. I just liked some of his techniques and they have been working for me, though I have a long way to go. Getting the students to listen and respond is far more effective than bopping them in the head with a stick.
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