Please. Stop. Talking.

I am so thankful to have eight weeks off in the summer. I need that time to recharge. When the school year starts, I try to be really on top of things regarding discipline in my classroom. I am a fun teacher, but I run a tight ship. Students are fully expected to follow the rules and procedures- which are similar the rules and procedures of any classroom.

There are many pros and cons about being a "special" teacher. ("Special" at our school means art, gym, music library, etc.) One of the pros and cons is that I see every student in the school. These students spend most of their day following their classroom teacher's rules and expectations, which may or may not be enforced as consistently as I enforce my rules.

I try to be very consistent, especially at the beginning of the year. Any teacher will tell you it is soooooo important to set the tone right from the beginning what the expectations are- and don't waver from them. If you are consistent and do not waver, it makes life a lot simpler as the school year progresses. It's much easier to loosen the reigns than tighten them.

I have been very diligent so far, and most classes are doing really well. But that's not to say some classes aren't giving me a run for my money! The biggest problem I have had so far is all. the. talking. There are classes that are just so chatty. They think that as long as I am not talking, it is fair game to chat with their neighbors. Um, no. Some students talk to themselves, but they don't understand that talking to yourself is still talking.

Me: "Bobby, please stop talking."

Bobby: "But I'm talking to myself."

Me: "It doesn't matter who you're talking to, it's still talking."

This is a real conversation I had with many a student! The name has been changed to protect the innocent guilty.

I can't tell you how many times a day I say in a sickeningly sweet voice, "Please stop talking." The thing is, asking politely doesn't always work because students only think you mean business if you yell or act angry. Well, yelling and acting angry is not an option for me this year. I refuse to use my "grumpy voice" just to get students to follow directions.

So how does a teacher deal with this problem? Well, I am sure there are many ways and it depends on a lot of different things. I will share with you my methods- from the method I employ first to the worst case scenario...

*Note: These methods are for when all or most of the class is being chatty, not when it is just one or two students that you can deal with individually.*

Method #1: Confusion.

When a student starts talking when they're not suppose to, I feign utter and complete confusion. An example is provided via video below because I simply cannot accurately describe this one to indicate my tone and facial expressions. I am not a good enough writer.

Method #2: Praise the students who are following the rules.

"I love the way Bobby is sitting quietly."
"I am so glad Sally raised her hand."
"Jimmy is doing an excellent job."

This method usually works in the short term. Kids do want to please their teachers, but often they are too impulsive to keep it up!

Method #3: The come to Jesus moment.

I will demonstrate this method in the following short video. I will be playing the part of "Exasperated Teacher".

Method #4: Shut it down. Students must put their heads down and stay silent for two minutes. Two minutes seems like an eternity to them.

Worst Case Scenario: Back to basics.

Devote an entire class period to reviewing the rules and expectations. Make the students copy down the rules on a sheet of paper and write a paragraph about why it is important to follow the rules. (Obviously if it is a class of younger students they may not be able to do this so their task would have to be altered a bit.)

Were you a chatty student in school?
Teachers, how do you get your class to be QUIET? I would love new ideas!