So, it's the middle of week two. I have a class of thirty one third graders. My composite score for last week was 2.77, so it's not that bad a class behavior-wise. We rehearse the 5 rules constantly, and I use the scoreboard constantly, but there are just enough kids who are constantly disruptive, and incessantly chatty. I am so tempted to go up to the next level of cards, even though it's only day 7! Any ideas/suggestions out there?
thanks!
Rand

First...take a deep breath. It will be ok! Next...read the ebook titled Industrial Strength whole brain teaching. Remember that it takes a bit of time also! I have a class that is definitely giving me a run for my money this year but hold off as long as you can and continue to practice practice practice! Find out what makes them tick...and make that a reward...but in small increments!

It does get better and stick with it!

Thanks Farrah. I did start to read that the other day, and the little I read suggested that it was for classes where just about everyone was a challenging kid. I've really got just a handful, but they certainly tilt the direction of the class. I'll go back and read the Industrial Strength book. Thanks again.
Rand

Farrah we have only been in school for 6 days I have allowed my class to ping pong the scoreboard and win by only one point. No stickers,candy or treats just the song party and free talk time. I have a handful of immature first graders who can not maintain, I've let them win to help pull them through. Am I wrong? I promise I will stop and make it a lose but only when i can get a few more seconds of their attention. They are getting it when they lose 2 or three times during te day. Then when we start over the final one of the day is smilies by one.
Annette.

Annette,

I think your approach will work fine. Just continue, to observe how they are reacting to it. Keep the score close, and let them lose at least a time of two this week. When they do lose make a big deal about how close the score was and how just a little more effort tomorrow could push them over the top!

Try that a time or two and see if that helps get their eyes on the prize.

Jeff,
I think I have letting them lose too much. In my opinion, they haven't deserved to win, but maybe I'm cutting off my nose to spite my face. I probably need to let them experience and enjoy winning more. Thoughts on this?
Thanks!

Rand you are correct...if we loose all of the time, we give up, that's just human nature.

Biff tells a story at the conferences about his Uncle Marvin and how he used to take food to the farmers market by donkey. Well you see, the only way to get that donkey to move was to put an apple on a string and stick and put it out in front of the donkey. So, Uncle Marvin let a young Biff try it one time and Biff let it out just in front of the donkey and he ate it all up and only pulled the cart 10 feet. Well, Uncle Marvin asked what happened and the young Biff said it was too close to the donkey's mouth. So Biff tried it again and put it out too far. Now the donkey tried for about two seconds and sat down. He gave up...why? He knew he wasn't going to get that apple so he didn't even try.

Our kids are a lot like both of these scenarios...we need to move that apple back and forth; a little out in front and let the donkey nibble, then put it out a little farther, and then in...out...in...out...and so on. Once young Biff tried this he was on his way to the farmers market.

It's that way with our kids too. As mentioned above in an earlier post you need to "Ping-Pong" them back and forth. If they are not doing well...low energy, not following directions, etc find some small glimmer of hope that you can cling to and reward them for it. Announce it out loud..."Wow, I really like the way Sarah is using gestures", (mark on the smiley) "Cheer!". Two seconds later tell them that you noticed this half of the room cheering really well (mark on the smiley) "Cheer!". Instantly, you notice that two kids didn't cheer all of the way...(mark on the sad face) "Groan!". Do this routine back and forth every 10 minutes or so and they'll be back in your palm in no time.

Rand...you've got to get that "food" to the market!

Power to the Teacher!