| Author |
Message |
Amy Souza (Asooz822)
Junior Member
Username: Asooz822
Post Number: 2
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 9:32 am: |       |
I am a first yr teacher teaching K-1 PE/HLTh. One of my classes comes to me with very few rules from their classroom teacher. I have tried to implement my rules, but they don't seem to listen and follow them. Too often I am forced to sit everyone down and tell them I am disappointed in their "unsafe" behavior. I don't like doing that, but sometimes I have no choice, they are just too unsafe.
Does anyone have suggestions to help with an uncontrollable class?? |
Stephanie (Spaine)
Junior Member
Username: Spaine
Post Number: 11
Registered: 9-2006
| | Posted on Friday, December 01, 2006 - 12:13 pm: | |
I have had a few classes like that and one thing that I have found that works with some "rowdies" is this. As soon as the unwanted behavior begins, I stop the class and then I single out the children that ARE following rules, etc. and send them to the opposite end of the gym to play something that most children like (usually a tag game). That way the children that are following rules are being rewarded instead of the whole class being punished.
Usually the students that are still sitting can see the appropriate behavior demonstated. This might work for most of the kids but I have had children that just are "high-maintenance" all-year round. 
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C. Wood (Coolpeteacher)
Junior Member
Username: Coolpeteacher
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 7:54 am: | |
I think it is best to implement a lot of "procedures" to keep the kids moving and interested.
For instance, when I blow the whistle, every time, they must be hands to knees and find the coach. That is just one example, but there is a procedure for each occurence in the class.
Also, as for the unsafe behavior, you can keep them from playing games that include physical contact until they can learn to exhibit and practice "safe" behavior. So, instead of punishing them by sitting them down, you could not allow them to play their favorite "tagging" or physical games...have them do a lot of fitness activities until they can get it right. |
Amy Souza (Asooz822)
Junior Member
Username: Asooz822
Post Number: 4
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 9:05 am: | |
Should I ask the principal to sit in on one of my lessons to get feedback on what I could do better? and to see if the behavior is something that I am doing wrong or if it is really just brought in by the behavior from their classroom. |
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Advanced Member
Username: Stephenpe
Post Number: 57
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Monday, December 04, 2006 - 9:38 am: | |
If I had a class like that we would all sit
on a designated spot until I had EVERYONE'S
attention. Then I would tell them all 3 of
my rules.
Hands off others
No name calling
and Listen with mouths closed while I"M talking.
They sit until they have all agreed that they
understand. Then I observe closely to see
who isnt behaving and put them in time out
for awhile. Always works for me. |
Amy Souza (Asooz822)
Junior Member
Username: Asooz822
Post Number: 7
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 - 9:32 am: | |
Thank you all for your imput to help me with my uncontrolled class. The process has started between the classroom teacher and myself to get these kids on the straight and narrow. I made a bigger and clearer rules chart, and created a behavior chart. I also had to change what that one class was doing. For some skills, this class will not do as the other 6 classes do. It's unfortunate but they need more structure.
Thanks again! |
Tim Thomas (Tatpefb)
New member
Username: Tatpefb
Post Number: 1
Registered: 11-2005
| | Posted on Friday, December 15, 2006 - 6:04 am: | |
Amy
I agree alot with what CoolPETeacher says. I have found that "distractions" work alot - i.e.
"If you can hear me, put your hands on your head, knee, feet, etc." - then you can see who is paying attention. I agree that most kids want to get involved in games and not sit out. The only part I would disagree would be the part about having them do only fitness activities till they get it right. I think that might tend to make the kids learn that fitness activities are for punishment, when in actuality, fitness activities should be a positive thing. I've seen that way too many times when teachers say something like: "OK, you misbehaved, you owe me 20 push-ups!!", or whatever. That goes against all that we should be teaching in PE. |
Sara Bagwell (Sbagwell)
New member
Username: Sbagwell
Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2006
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 26, 2006 - 9:55 am: | |
We have what I call the "think tank" in my PE classes. Everyone forgets something now and then...in other words, misbehaves and breaks one of my rules. So I say their name, point to the wall or say 'think tank' and they go and sit out. From here, they can raise their hands and as soon as I get an activity going, I go to them and they tell me what they forgot. At this point I'll let them back in. If they break another rule, or the same one again, they sit out again, this time longer (even if their hand is raised). Eventually I'll come to them, they tell me what they forgot and they go back in. Third time a rule is broken, they sit for the rest of the class. A student who is misbehaving is dangerous to the other 20+ students and that is the consequence for their action. The classroom teacher is notified if this happens and a letter or phone call is made to the parents.
If there's more than one student that has to be in the think tank I make sure to seperate them on the sides so they are focused on thinking about what they forgot and why they are not able to play with their classmates. There's times when I have 5 students out (sounds like you might have that problem!) but they need to know how to act safely even in an active/physical environment. |
wendy Dickson (Dicksonw)
Junior Member
Username: Dicksonw
Post Number: 3
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 5:16 am: | |
Amy,
I think that you have to communicate with their classroom teacher about how they are acting in your PE class. Perhaps the both of you can come up with some rules that you both agree on and that you can both implement. Research shows that rules should be short and to the point; and no more than 7(due to our working memory stores).
Before you go any further with your classes you need to "nip this in the bud" right away; otherwise they will progressively get worse.
The first two days should be dedicated to routines and procedures. This will eliminate any students who claim they don't understand the rules.
Try this and let me know how you make out.
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dario garza (D14)
Junior Member
Username: D14
Post Number: 4
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 7:37 pm: | |
Sara, I really like your approach!
Amy, my suggestion is to keep rules and procedures very simple, and as Sara mentioned, post rules and procedures so they are visible to every student.
|
dario garza (D14)
Junior Member
Username: D14
Post Number: 5
Registered: 1-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, January 31, 2007 - 7:40 pm: | |
Sara, I really like your approach!
Amy, my suggestion is to keep rules and procedures very simple, and as Sara mentioned, post rules and procedures so they are visible to every student.
|
Gaetano J. Amato (Pehealthsite)
Junior Member
Username: Pehealthsite
Post Number: 2
Registered: 5-2007
| | Posted on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 7:37 pm: | |
Hi Amy: Very common problem. When you have an unruly class, the first thing you have to do is strict space and movement. When the class enters the gym, have them sit in front of you in a group. Tell them that today you are going to work on simple words,the first word being still like when someone is taking your picture. Then say "still" and everyone should freeze. 99 percent of the time they will. Then give them simple tasks where there is not room for error, like wiggle your fingers, followed again by the word "still" Add other wiggle words, like wiggle your toes, nose, shoulders etc, always following each new word with "still". If they are noisy, just add "still and quiet" When you have every one responding, have them find an open space and sit still in their space. If they cannot do that easily, have them use hotspots to define their space. Then in their space, give them new words always followed by "still" such as flat, round, high etc. You can repeat the words by having them find a different way to be round with a different body part touching the floor. As they begin to respond, you can add words that are more movement oriented, like spinning on different parts of your body, remembering to always use "still" after each task to get them to stop. Taking some time for "show and tell" to have selected students show their way of accomplishing the task, is a reward system as all students like to be recognized for what they do. Asking them to find their own way to do something, gives them a sense of ownership over what they are doing and they tend to become more responsive. Eventually, you should be able to have them do simple locomoter skills using all the gym.
The important thing to remember, that restricting space is vital to gain control over the class, and giving them tasks in a problem solving manner, engages them in the thought process and this should help control their behavior.
View my web site, www.pehealthsite.com for info on a book you can read to them a page at a time and then have them do the activity. I hope to have specific lesson plans soon that will further be of assistance. Good luck and try to approach discipline from a positive viewpoint. Sara had a good idea that gets students to think about what they are doing and to give her comments that indicate that they know what the problem is and what needs to be changed in their behavior before they come back to the lesson. Clear rules, consistently enforced, with clear consequences should be your motto. Hope this helps, Mr Amato |
Amy Souza (Asooz822)
Junior Member
Username: Asooz822
Post Number: 8
Registered: 11-2006
| | Posted on Wednesday, May 09, 2007 - 8:33 am: | |
Great ideas Mr. Amato, Thanks! Since I first posted this issue things have become better with the help of the classroom teacher and various techniques I've learned from my peers. I thought your name sounded familiar - I am a 2003 graduate of Springfield!!!! |
Sarah J. Rush (Coachrush)
Junior Member
Username: Coachrush
Post Number: 4
Registered: 10-2007
| | Posted on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 5:57 pm: | |
I also need help in this area. Mainly with my Kindergarten classes. 110 students with me and 2 aides, we have numerous(10-15)students with kicking and hitting issues. Also with this large of a group we have trouble getting everyone's attention. We have them in 3 circles where each adult "monitors" a circle. We use a lot of learning songs but getting to use any equipment has not happened yet. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. |
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Advanced Member
Username: Stephenpe
Post Number: 86
Registered: 8-2005
| | Posted on Thursday, October 04, 2007 - 11:57 am: | |
110 students for a teacher and two aides is criminal. I think your ratio should be against the law and is certainly an insane amount to really have an effective PE class with 5 year olds. |
Matthew Bassett (Bassett1976)
New member
Username: Bassett1976
Post Number: 1
Registered: 1-2008
| | Posted on Saturday, January 05, 2008 - 10:51 pm: | |
Amy,
I know this might be "old" information for you but I've had a few bad classes in my short career already. One thing that I use is a series of "Think It Through" sheets. My school actually had them but I've adapted most of them for physical education. The K-2 versions is quite simple and is basically drawing a picture of what happened. The older students I connect what happened with one of my expectations for class.
Sarah,
I've taught kinder for six years and I'm sorry to hear that your class size is so large. The first could of weeks during my kinder classes I basically only work on class procedures and also how to treat others. The kids are "new" to school and need to learn the routines. I usually start with something like Duck-Duck-Goose and Red Light-Green Light. Anything that will help the kids start to learn how to follow directions and how to stay focused during class. Anything that you can do to help the students learn how to treat each other (teambuilding) would also be good. Teach them how to take turns, say please and thank you. |
