This is a common trouble in classes, especially in senior classes. When teacher steps out of class to do some errands the class becomes unruly and chaos ensues. When the teacher returns students are all over and drifted to other activities. Usually one student starts it, and others go along with it. It then takes some time to focus them back to the subject at hand. This is partly because the class lacks self-control and self-discipline. But why blame them, we never really teach them self-discipline. On the contrary, all along we teach them opposite. We train them to be strictly in control of the teacher. Teacher's presence is class is ominous and unavoidable.
We need to train students self-control from a younger age. To do this, I have been Walking out of Class deliberately. I assign them some work (reading or writing), I explain the work and expectations carefully. And then I ask their permission to go for a walk. You need to ask permission to make it appear as if they are in-charge and they are allowing you to go. This really puts them in the driving seat. Then I say, Thank you and walk out of the class. I have been missing from the class for as long as 10-15 minutes at times.
When I return, in almost all times, I have found that the class was working silently on its own. A disruptive student is frowned upon and made to work through peer pressure. I tell them, 'See you don't need a teacher to do good work.' This is a strange case where, less control over the class gives you better performance. Over time, I hope, they will learn to control themselves.
When you are outside your class, when actually its your period, you get this great feeling that your students are working on their own.
We need to train students self-control from a younger age. To do this, I have been Walking out of Class deliberately. I assign them some work (reading or writing), I explain the work and expectations carefully. And then I ask their permission to go for a walk. You need to ask permission to make it appear as if they are in-charge and they are allowing you to go. This really puts them in the driving seat. Then I say, Thank you and walk out of the class. I have been missing from the class for as long as 10-15 minutes at times.
When I return, in almost all times, I have found that the class was working silently on its own. A disruptive student is frowned upon and made to work through peer pressure. I tell them, 'See you don't need a teacher to do good work.' This is a strange case where, less control over the class gives you better performance. Over time, I hope, they will learn to control themselves.
When you are outside your class, when actually its your period, you get this great feeling that your students are working on their own.
