do you have any creative ideas about how to encourage students in the classroom???  PLEASE, any answers would be greatly appreciated!  thanks!
214207
Younger children respond very well to short-term, visible goals like using sticker charts and small rewards at the end of a specific amount of time.  Depending on the kid this can be from good behavior during 1 period of class (particularly kids that are restless or have ADD, ADHD) or 1 week of periods.  Whenever you catch a student displaying good behavior in class you should acknowledge it publicly, it motivates that particular kid and it sets the right example for the rest of the class; be careful not to pick the same kid always since it can lead to labels such as "Teacher's pet, etc", I think all of our students, no matter their differences, behave good from time to time and we should try to find those instances and reward them.  Something that works really well with my students is sending notes to their houses when they have behaved in a particular good way, and I think parents also appreciate teachers that communicate with them for other than give out complaints about their kids.  I try not to criticize students' bad behavior in front of their classmates, unless it was a serious offense like hitting someone; some students like the attention and it may backfire if you criticize in front of the rest.  I ask them to leave the room with me (try to do it a little later, so you have time to think things through and don't say anything you might regret afterwards) and talk to them in private about their behavior and the consequence it will have.  This year I also had a talk with all of my students about how to solve problems among themselves and we settle on 3 rules to do so:  \n1. They should talk to the kid first and tell them that they don't like the attitude they have and to stop please doing ...whatever.\n2. If the problem continues, the student talks to whichever teacher is present in class at that moment.\n3. If the problem continues or the other teacher dismisses it they should approach the homeroom teacher (me).\nSomething very important is that you should make sure that your students understand that under no circumstances you will scold or criticize the other kid in front of them, sometimes they think that you did nothing and they tell their parents that the teacher did nothing to deal with the other student.\nHope it helps
375421
I think it's fine for teachers to come here and ask for advice/suggestions to use as effective teaching tools/techniques. \n\n But when teachers-or any other professional for that matter- come here and ask the general public to provide them w/information that they need and is the basis needed to perform their job...in a teacher's case---curriculum, then maybe it does come across as being "lazy".\nBased on the past questions you've asked, there's not really anything there save but 1 or 2, that you couldn't have typed in your own search for....probably within the same amount of time it took for you to log in and post your question here....and the info found could've been printed out in the same or less time then it takes for you to keep checking for posted answers.\n\nTurn the table here...how do you feel when you see students on here asking us to provide them with the FLAT OUT answer to their homework questions--with NO explanations.  They don't want to know nor do they care HOW it's done, they just want to GET it done.   Perhaps that's the light some see your questions in?
268044
Give them less homework and try to make it more fun. Give less paperwork and more interesting projects. Try to be more creative with it. I know kids can be very difficult to teach these days. Good luck!
521096
Perfectly happy with Happygirl’s answer.\nI’d like to add: make your students read, read, read.\nDon’t insist too much on interpretation etc. Point out why YOU think it is worth reading, why YOU consider it powerful language. The ones who have it in themselves will follow, the others can just as well read study guides.\nAnd remember: read, read, read; and ENJOY!
80274
How can we help you if we know nothing about the teacher?  Would it help you to know why I liked my favorites?  OK:\n\nI had a history teacher in junior high who had us act out little scenarios from history, to make the whole thing seem real.  That was very good.  One of my math teachers used to give use wonderful little math puzzles, including some that were extremely funny, like those based on the works of Lewis Carroll.  My favorite French teacher gave us little gifts for spelling bees, and I won a package of five tiny (sample size) bottles of real French perfume!  My Latin teacher had us reading the "naughty bits" in the old bawdy Latin plays, but that was in college, and we were all very mature.\n\nGenerally, the teachers who put some creativity into the classroom, and who draw creativity out of their students, get the best ratings and teach the most.  But the other thing is the teacher to expects a lot, but plays fair.  My sixth grade teacher gave us lots of homework, and graded exams very uncompromisingly.  But she always answered the questions we had, and never played favorites.  She just imperiously assumed we all had the ability to learn, and would not accept laziness.  The lazy students hated her, but the ones who wanted to learn, learned a lot.  She was also very systematic, did the same pattern of exercises every day, so we always knew what to expect.  We had ten questions on the blackboard to write down in our notebook to answer in history and social studies; we had 20 vocabulary words in spelling, ten sentences to diagram in English . . . does anybody diagram sentences anymore?  Sometimes a very old-fashioned teacher is the one from whom you learn the most.  (Not "the one you learn the most from," because a preposition is a bad thing to end a sentence with!)
405422
Teachers need to be taught how they should behave in front of their students.  Knowledable teachers are not good enough.  They language they used and how they present themselves are important too.
661982
Tell people that you care. I know that there are many students who get the impression that their wishes and opinions do not count and I believe that, put together, their number surpasses that of people who get together for a cause. That is the biggest problem, I believe, targeting such a wide array of people. The only way you can get their attention is to shock or to challenge them, depending on the type of person you are. If tou are a popular girl, then people can be amazed without condemning your actions, so you can get your friends together an invent a crazy dance on a song that just won't let you sit down, promise them the formation of a new club or diversification of the cafeteria menu, but make sure that you target as many types of people as you can. Being a popular figure, you could personally speak to students nobody pays too much attention to, and they will feel very happy and vote for you. In case you are not in the middle of everything, I suggest that you choose Saving Jane- Girl Next Door as a theme song and show people how close you actually are to them without them knowing it. And, no matter the type of person you are, you have to change something about yourself to get their attention, but within the limits of staying yourself.The change could be a piece of clothing that everybody will copy or a new hairstyle, but stay true to yourself with the promises you make. Best of luck!
228909
I really do sympathize with you.  I teach sophomore English to very low level, at-risk students.  My kids are straight out of that old TV show, "Welcome Back Kotter," however, the attitudes and ambivilence are often laced with a home-grown coating of physical abuse, drugs, alcohol, etc. etc.  I have a student right now who was exactly like those you are describing. He'd been in jail, alternative school, ISS, you name it, and simply didn't seem to care. He often said, "I'm going to fail anyway, so what's the point?"  He'd dig his heels in and sit in his desk staring into space and refusing to even attempt the most trivial task.  It frustrated me to no end, but rather than let it aggravate me further, I told myself that I was going to make a conscious effort to say something nice to this child, or to acknowledge him in a special way every single day even if I had to draw down the sun, moon, and stars to find something positive to say.  First I just said things like, "Hey Fernando, that's a pretty fine shirt you got on," or "Did you get a haircut?  It looks good."   Next thing I knew he was picking up a pencil and writing a few words, answering 1 or 2 questions on a worksheet.  So I kept at it, and he started doing another 2 or 3 questions and guess what?  Today, Fernando completed 3 entire pages of a 6 page packet featuring VERBS! :-)\nHe hides behind my door every morning as the kids are filing in and I say "Gee, I think there's a big bug in this hallway---I think I heard it behind my door--I better get some RAID!"  For the past week and a half or so he's actually been coming into class smiling.   \nI don't know if this helps you or not---I know that all of our students are unique, but even when they're in high-school--15, 16 years old, I've found that there are those that so badly crave our attention much like that of a little kid.\nHang in there---persistence and patience are blessings bigger than we could ever know!  (hug)
657025
I believe it really depends on the individual student.  I also liked the 'hands on' reply.  Whether you are teaching one or many students, don't get stuck on one routine.  Vary them to keep the students interested and challenged!
466850
Ask a thoughtful question about what he/she is trying to teach.  It will make his/her day!
317116
My suggestion is that you create your own worksheets and with you creating your own, you will have your own answer sheet. I think teachers should be created and innovative when it come to creativity with students and in the classroom.
275412
I have faced this situation recently in my own classroom.  I'm not sure what grade level you are working with but I know of a picture book that would work for any level.  It is titled I'm New Here by Bud Howlett.  It is about a hispanic girl who actually goes through the experience of being called "taco" by the boys at school and the worries of fitting in and making friends.  It would be a great way to open up a discussion.  I feel like I was meant to answer your question tonight.  If you need any other ideas please let me know!
583036
I am a pre-school teacher and my advice to you is to have lots and lots of Patience. Try to remember that they are just children and take it from me it is hard  to do that at times(bless their little hearts)! Stay on their level and make their learning experience fun, fun, fun! Most of all, love them and remember they look up to you.
157536
The best and most overlooked way to improve classroom education of any kind is to introduce the use of boardgames. I have taught for over ten years all over the world, and only when I use boardgames do students voluntarily insist on extending their classes for two, three, even four hours. Not only that but they then show the most rapid improvement. \nCheck out the following websites for some useful background info.\n\nhttp://www.rpg.net/sites/edu/1-1.html...\n\nhttp://www.rpg.net/sites/edu/1-2.html...\n\nhttp://subscriptions.fasfind.com/wwwtool...\n\nhttp://www.gama.org/uploads/ns/xx/nsxx7l...\n\nGive it a try and you will be amazed. At least you will be helping to break the monopoly that the big textbook publishers have over the education industry.
240822
I use to teach- and LOVED it (most days)- but then I had my kids.  Now that they are young, I tutor in my house.  \n\nIt is convenient and flexible. I love that I can be more relaxed and that I have the opportunity to meet some great kids. \n\nI do however, miss teaching a class of students- When I taught I worked with the whole class, in small groups and one and one all in a given day.  I DO NOT the miss the stress of the politics behind teaching....still I hope to go back someday.... goodness knows when that will be.  In the meantime- I will have to stick to tutoring and visiting this website :) \n\n\nGreat question !
74139
If you take the same lesson plan that was devised for older students and simply resolve to spend more time explaining and demonstrating to the younger kids, will that work?  I hate to think there's anything the younger ones can't do, although grant you they won't do it with the polish of the older kids.  Please tell me we are not talking about the idea that safety is a major factor in the difference; having to use blunt-end scissors, no small parts they can swallow, and all that garbage.  A major problem when I was a kid was too boring, so the idea of working on something originally designed for older kids would have thrilled me no end.
300836
maybe get everyone in the class to chip in and throw him/her a suprise party. i did that for one of my teachers before w/ a couple of friend and she was realli moved. she was touched that we organized everything and had everyone participate.