Should I Lighten Up?

[Kerri]

I'm a bit torn. On the one hand, I'm very strict and I expect my students to follow a few simple procedures and work hard in my class. I'm always reminding my students to stay focused on the task.
On the other hand, my class (LIBRARY) is probably the one chance that they have to "relax." But, I really don't let them have any down time. I do not let them goof off and if they misbehave, I do reprimand them. In 30 minutes, we write in our journals, share a good book OR do our research project, and we spare 7 minutes to check out books. I feel that I run my library time as an actual, important class. But, am I doing too much?
I recently found out that a lot of my students have very serious personal problems at home. Those kids tend to misbehave or act lazy in my class. I only see them once a week, so I really do not get to know them as well as their teachers do.
I'm trying to vary the activities and make them more enjoyable. I've also been giving small rewards to all of the students.
It's hard when you're a specialist. I want my library to be friendly and inviting, but I have to be extra vigilant about classroom management.
Should I lighten up?

 

[AmberEB]

Yes, you need to

 

[AmberEB]

Yes, you need to lighten up and let loose

 

[Penny]

library time

I think it's great that you get so much done in 30 minutes. I also think it's great that you've let the kids know that your class is important and not "goof off time." You have your expectations in place and kids are supposed to follow them. There's nothing wrong with that.

 

[wig]

I agree with Penny. It's sad that some of these kids have serious personal problems, but these are also the ones that need consistancy. What makes your class any less important than any other class? It sounds as if you make very good use of the little bit of time you have with them. If the admin wanted a class period where the kids could relax and goof off, they would have hired someone without a teaching degree to baby sit.

 

[Tounces]

management

You sound like you're doing fine to me. I don't see a reason to lighten up. Just because some have personal problems doesn't mean we should lighten up. They don't need our pity, they need an education. I agree with Penny and wig. Keep up the good work!

 

[SC]

No way!

Don't lighten up on them at all. I'm glad to hear of a specials teacher with good classroom management! Personal problems may be a reason they misbehave, but it's not an excuse. Those kids need consistency and rules! You can have a balance of friendly/inviting and strong classroom management, and it sounds like you're doing that.

 

[istoleahalo]

I think what you are doing sounds very reasonable and very similar to what our librarian does. Keep up the good work!

 

[Janet]

Stick with the classroom mgt but...

I have to say, seven minutes is not nearly enough time to browse the library shelves. In seven minutes they'd hardly have enough time to grab a couple of books off the shelf, much less examine one and determine whether it's something they want to pursue or not!

 

[teachfla]

wow

Can you come and be my school's librarian? Ours just sticks the kids on the computer to work on graphs or map games (in library?) and yells at them for getting excited. What I wouldn't give for lessons, journals, and research projects to come out of our media center.

 

[fun_friend]

I think you are a great teacher from what you have posted. Maybe you could lighten up once per month to give more time to browsing.

 

[apple_annie]

Is it working for you?

If it works, why change it? If you can actually get your kids to stay on task and be productive, especially during a specials class, you are doing great! I wish I wasn't so aware fo the many issues my kids are dealing with outside of school. I want to be compassionate, but it sure complicates things sometimes.

Here's a library question for you...

Do you have books set aside for each class to browse through, according to their grade/interest/age level, or do they just browse the whole room? Many of my kids (second grade) come back from library with books that are toatlly inapproapriate reading levels-kids who ar really struggling come back with Cam Jansen, Magic Treehouse, etc. I'd like to suggest to our librarian to have a shelf or table full of books set aside just for second graders when we come in, but I'm afraid she will be offended. Would that be out of line?

 

[Kerri]

Here's What We Do

I have taught students the Five Finger Method and they must do it before they bring their books up to check out.

They must read through a whole page of the book.
Every time they get stuck on a word, they put a finger up.
After they finish the page:
1-2 fingers up=easy, enjoyable reading
4 fingers=challenging
5 or more=too difficult

3 fingers is the magic number= just right

I'm new and I'm still developing this abysmal library collection. But, when I worked at the public library, we did have special sections for younger readers...series books, easy chapter books, easy non-fiction. I always put out a display of great reads on the table and they go out like hotcakes.

Younger kids are so excited about reading. They often check out non-fiction that's too difficult to read, but they want to look at the pictures.
There's no harm in that.

 

[apple_annie]

five fingers...sounds great

Thanks, Kerri, for the great idea. It sounds so simple, I can't wait to try it. I'm desperately looking for any ideas that can help my second graders to become more independent in any and all areas. This sounds like it is right up my alley

 

[vateach]

you're fine

I think that there is a difference between high expectations for behavior and needing to lighten up. Are your high expectations allowing the students to participate in class activities they enjoy? Do they look forward to your class and all the things they get to do because of your behavior management? I think the answer to this is how much the kids are enjoying and learning during their library time.