Is this bad?

[Newbie]

In college and student teaching, I was always taught that teachers were supposed to roam around the room and help kids while they worked. That's what we were also required to do where I taught last year. In fact, if the principal walked in, and we were sitting at our desks, then we could get in trouble.

Now I'm at a different school, and I now teach a self-contained class. My kids are hard workers, and they're pretty bright, so I don't have to walk around and just watch them work all the time. Granted, we do projects and things where I do, but there are some subjects that they can do on their own after I provide an explanation, and I can just walk around a little. So, really, there's no point in my standing up the entire time for no reason, so I'll sit down and try to get some work done. If I don't, then I have a giant pile to take home every day and more on the weekends.

I guess I am feeling kind of guilty for sitting so much when it's been drilled into my head that I need to be up and moving all the time. What are others' thoughts on this? I guess I'm feeling kind of guilty because sometimes I get irritated when they interrupt me for questions I feel they can answer themselves or to tell me random stories (see my earlier post about too many stories).

 

[Newbie]

Standing Up

By the way, I don't sit down for entire class periods or just teach the lesson and sit down. I do the lesson, get them started on an activity, walk around to make sure they've got it, then sit for a little bit. I just don't stand up the entire time.

 

[anon101]

Dont feel guilty

You have trained your kids to be independent and you should feel proud, not guilty. Good job!

That said, if your administration tends to do "surprise visits" I'd make sure to at least "look" engaged....so if you're sitting, be in the vicinity of where the kids are working. But dont feel guilty. You sound like youre doing a wonderful job!

 

[bamateach]

horrible

I can't believe you would actually sit down while your students are working! I am sooooo just kidding. Do not feel guilty. As the other poster said you have trained your students to work independently and you should on occassion be allowed to reap the benefits of that. Realx a while.

 

[Mrs. G]

I agree.

In the beginning of the year I bet you worked extra hard and helped them become independent. That hard work has paid off. I do the same thing with my students at this point of the school year. I also have a chance to work on a few papers then get up again and circulate just to make sure there are not any questions. I think as long as you are helping them when they need it you are doing your job. ( I have found that some students would rather come to my desk privately than have me stop at their seat to help them. This way you can accommodate all of your children's needs.)

 

[Teach 5]

sitting while kids work

I would never be able to keep up with all of the paperwork if I didn't do this. My kids know that I am still available, all they have to do is ask for help & I'll stop what I'm doing to help them.

 

[SoCalTeach]

I agree with Teach 5

I am always behind on my paperwork, and I need that time to at least get a few papers corrected. My kids always come up and talk to me at my desk if they have questions. Don't feel bad - I bought the Fred Jones' book (Tools for Teaching) that included a lot of info that had to do with focusing mainly on walking around the room, being near the children, etc. I don't even look at that book anymore because I feel guilty!

 

[Tounces]

sit

I circulate as much as needed. I have to sit down frequently due to a back injury. But I hardly ever work on something else when I sit down. I watch the kids most of the time. I would be in trouble if I worked on something else at my current school. The administrators walk in often. If I was ever asked why I'm sitting down I would let them know about my disability. I was taught to keep moving in college too. On the other hand, the students need to learn independence too. They can become dependent on the teacher if you are always there to help out and check as they work. I like to sit or stand at the back of the room too. If you try it you'll see the kids turn around to look at you before they try something they know they shouldn't. At the beginning of the year I might tell them "that's right I'm watching you. So you better make good choices and get back to work." Sounds like you have your class under control. I like what someone else said about having them come to your desk. It's also better on your back and legs not to have to crouch down or bend down to their work repeatedly. My doctor said that's esp. bad for you-bad back or not. I agree quit feeling guilty, you're doing great.

 

[Ima Teacher]

I sit down whenever I get a chance. Some days I'm roaming around all the time, and others I sit down most of the day. I've found that when the kids are working well and I roam around too much, it makes them nervous. The way my desks are arranged, there are no hiding places when I'm sitting at any of my four "points" in the classroom.

Just because a teacher is standing up doesn't mean their class is any more under control than anyone else's.

 

[teacher4]

Balance

Just have some balance of sitting and walking. I like to walk around mostly becuase I seldom give seat work. Normally I work through an entire lesson with out sitting down. The students do a lot of hands-on learning so I am required to guide or facillitate learning. I do sit when I get a chance. So my advice is just find a good balance for you.

 

[BN]

Buy a stool to sit on.

I don't sit too much.I also try to walk around but I do sit on a stool. I have a stool that I move to different spots in the room. It's high enough that I can see what everyone is doing. I use it when I'm reading the class our read aloud novel and its also good when we are working on something on the overhead.The kids are funny because when they have to read something or give a presentation they will ask if they can sit on the stool.I find it very convenient. I also used it for a little book stand. I place my book on it and stand next to it.I never had an administrator say any thing about it. It's an idea I got from my Student teacher co op teacher many many years ago . He had a stool and I adopted the idea from him.It's not like sitting at your desk.You are involved with the class because your are sitting among them.It was particularly helpful the year I had a very chatty class. I would just take the stool and sit right among them. Moving from group to group. It really kept the talking down and they eventually learned to work somewhat quietly.I also use my desk chair on castors to do conferences during reading/writing workshop. I just wheel from one group or desk to another.Occasionally I try to go over a set of papers to see if everyone has handed them in and do a quick check for understanding.For those who are concerned that a principal might not like that you are doing "desk work" I always have the papers in a folder and I glance at them while I'm walking around or sitting on my stool.You can close the folder when the students need you (or a principal walks in.) I once worked for a principal who didn't like it if you were sitting down while the kids were taking a test. Standing and walking around during a three hour test can be grueling and distracting to the students. To the original poster-- I would not feel guilty for sitting when your students are actively engaged in some type of work.It takes awhile to get a group to work independently. I too want my group to work independently. Isn't that what we have spent the whole year trying to attain?It sounds like you have everything undercontrol. Congrats...BN

 

[maryteach]

Often, once I get them started,

I sit. I have a round table at the back of my room. I sit facing the back of the class, and kids come to me for conferences and small group work. I can see everything, stop misbehavior in its tracks and give my poor barkin' dogs a break! :-)

 

[summersoff]

Cheat w/ a clipboard

Walk AND grade papers--use a clipboard! No guilt!