My two classes seem to consist of two extreme groups of children. Those who say nothing and those who talk/shout/scream loudly. It was driving me absolutely crazy so I set out to conquer the issue with my favorite tool - google.
An hour or so of reading blog posts and classroom management websites and I decided to give the old voice level chart a try. Now the voice level chart is not new to me, I have just never felt the need to start using it in my classroom. Until now that is. Dealing with 50 students who don't understand you is hard enough but getting them to understand the concept of no screaming in the classroom is a different concept entirely. I have been trying to be way more visual in my classroom management approach. So I found some charts I liked and in true me fashion, recreated the wheel and made my own.
It has been hanging in my classroom a few days now and has made a dramatic difference. I refer to it very frequently and for the start of each group we go back over what the different levels mean. Having it so visual gives the girls a clear understanding of my expectations. Now it's not to say you can hear pins dropping in my room but at least I'm no longer dinging my bell like a madwomen and shouting over the noise to gain attention. Something I'm ashamed to admitting in public that has been my MO to date. Trust me when I say it has NOT made me a happy teacher.
Grab your own copy of the voice level poster I created. I have a small poster size and a two-page size (which is the one I use). I taped it to my whiteboard in the front of the room and use a small magnet to signal which number voice we are to be using.
What works for you to quiet a crazy, out of control classroom?
An hour or so of reading blog posts and classroom management websites and I decided to give the old voice level chart a try. Now the voice level chart is not new to me, I have just never felt the need to start using it in my classroom. Until now that is. Dealing with 50 students who don't understand you is hard enough but getting them to understand the concept of no screaming in the classroom is a different concept entirely. I have been trying to be way more visual in my classroom management approach. So I found some charts I liked and in true me fashion, recreated the wheel and made my own.
It has been hanging in my classroom a few days now and has made a dramatic difference. I refer to it very frequently and for the start of each group we go back over what the different levels mean. Having it so visual gives the girls a clear understanding of my expectations. Now it's not to say you can hear pins dropping in my room but at least I'm no longer dinging my bell like a madwomen and shouting over the noise to gain attention. Something I'm ashamed to admitting in public that has been my MO to date. Trust me when I say it has NOT made me a happy teacher.
Grab your own copy of the voice level poster I created. I have a small poster size and a two-page size (which is the one I use). I taped it to my whiteboard in the front of the room and use a small magnet to signal which number voice we are to be using.
What works for you to quiet a crazy, out of control classroom?
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