My students don't stop the chatter even with our discipline levels implemented by the school. I teach 4th grade and am in the 2nd week with little to no progress. PLEASE HELP!!! I feel it's unfair to continually remind the whole class but it's more than just 1 or 2. Also, they seem to not be able to work in centers without chaos with I'm meeting with my reading groups! Please help this teacher who is at the end of her ruler of instruction. Thanks!
I am also a fourth grade teacher. I use a marble jar in my class. When the kids are following the class rules, I drop a marble in the jar. When they are not, for instance if they are loud during a quiet time, I take a marble out. The marble coming cout of the jar has a very distinct sound, and the kids quiet down almost instantly. I don't have to say a thing. If I am working with a small group, I just keep the marble jar near me, with a few marbles in my pocket. The students REALLY want to fill up the jar, so they make sure they (and their classmates) follow the rules. When the marble jar is full (usually once to twice a year), I let the student choose a reward party such as a movie and pizza or ice cream sundaes.
I use the Marble Jar, also (well, I am GOING to use it on the 23rd when school starts). I actually got the idea from browsing through these forums. It seems like such a great idea. From what I've heard, it works well!
You might also keep in mind that week 2 is still pretty early for centers to be working perfectly. It takes a lot of modeling and practice. I teach 5th grade and it took several weeks last year for everything to settle into place. I had to spend a lot of time practicing getting up & going to centers, transitions, etc. Some days I just had to keep calling them back to their desks to start over to prevent the chaos! After enough practice, they got the hang of it. It just takes time, I'm sure it will settle down but probably not as fast as you want it to! The marble idea is a great one! I also made sure to get up and walk around at least once during each center rotation (while my small group was reading or practicing a skill). If the kids know that you're still paying attention to their activities, they'll settle down.
Last year with my grade 5 class, it was mid-October before most of the class was able to work independently while I worked with small groups. It takes quite a bit of time, teaching, modelling and practice to get this routine down. Hang in there...
I agree that it takes a while for everyone to understand all of the expectations in the classroom. I believe I heard at one time that it takes 17days for a habit to form-- with practice everyday. So, with that in mind, you still have time. I don't use a marble jar. Instead, I use a clipboard and weekly reporting form. Basically, there are 3 categories that I mark students in... behavior, organization, and homework. At the end of the week, I send a "log" home with students that needs to be signed by parents to verify that they have "seen" the problems. (I talk to the students about each "violation" so they are well aware of what went on.) On my clipboard, I have a spreadsheet set-up with the days of the week listed across the top and student names on the side. I put a checkmark with the letter-type infraction and a couple of words to remind me. For instance, if Sally was blurting in class, I would put a check with a "B" on the top and "blurting" below the check. Usually this system works well because of the accountability to parents.. works like a charm. However, if the class as a whole is having difficulty. I will start "timing" them and adding that time to the end of the day or before recess/lunch time. Usually my looking at the clock is enough to send them the message that they are having a difficult time. Each classroom is different though. What works with one, may not work with another. The best advice that I can give you is to keep practicing daily your routines and procedures. Good luck...
Just my 2 cents... although I'm 2nd grade - have you tried positive reinforcement? I try to pick the kids that ARE sitting politely and quietly... and then give a nice big "Thank you to Anna for sitting so politely, I can tell she is ready to begin" - not sure if that would fly in the 4th grade, BUT it works like a charm in 2nd.
