How can I get control back to my class?

Question

I am teaching in a community center near my house. The problem is one of my classes, which consists of 5 boys. They are so energetic and they are beginning to act whatever they want to do. Sometimes it is very difficult to teach and I want to get control back to the class before it gets into a totally chaotic situation. Any advice?

Answer 1

I used to teach a boy's class at church.  The boys would arrive directly into my class.  Since everyone arrived at different times, it could get wild before class even started.  So, I set up a cd player and had some music softly playing--nothing that would rile them up.  And I would have some coloring or simple craft for them to work on as they were getting there, no radical free time.  Then, class started on time with everyone calm.  I usually just let them keep coloring while I talked.  They still absorbed what I said.  Boys have a lot more energy than girls and need to move a little.  They don't do well in the traditional sit still and listen mode.  As long as they don't talk or bother anyone else, let them move and make the class as interactive as possible to keep their attention.

Answer 2

You need to show them that you expect high standards. Trust me, when you put your standards high, they CAN meet them. If you put your standards low, yet again they would meet them. I would come up with a rewards/ consequences system. Reward them for good behaviour, (eg, give a smiley face, 10 smiley faces= a rewards, extra play time, etc) and give consequences for bad behaviour (eg, miss out on play). Set the standards high and keep them high.

Answer 3

nails on a chalkboard?

Answer 4

Do you have a bell in the classroom you can use to get the boys' attention? And if they misbehave, do something like minus 5 minutes of free time, minus 10 minutes of recess, etc.

Hope I helped

Answer 5

You need to get them into a routine, for example you may want to consider shutting the lights on or off.  If the students know that means it is time to calm down and class is starting, you'll be in good shape.