Spring fever

It is the week before spring break in our region. It could be a time to reinforce your rules and procedures and to find ways to remind students you care about them. Teachers are ramping up their testing preparation in some places, and students are or may be showing signs of spring fever. (;  at any rate there may be some challenges out there... some overt, some subtle. I know, at the college level, we see a lot of stress signs (sadness, work ethic wanes, tears, outbursts in class, leaving class, lateness...). We cannot lose sight of the importance of reminding students to take care of themselves and one another.

This week I participated in my first #mschat experience. They were talking about social emotional learning. While our conversations centered on young adolescents I was reminded that we also need to think about it for ourselves. Teaching is challenging, not so much for the content but for the myriad of personalities and needs of the students in our classes. I thought about the challenges we face motivating students and ourselves. I think if we can arrange some structures and work with our students, things can be more peacesful, more productive... and is t that what we hope for?

I have had challenging classes. Every week I had to come up with something different. The concern was not only for my own mental health, but also for the learning of those students who wanted to learn and could not, and to those who chose to disrupt because it is often easier to be disrespectful than to appear stupid in front of your peers. 

Advice

Next week, begin with the following. 

1) Set up new seating charts. Rearrange them. 

2) Ask students to write on a slip of paper, their name and what they need to be successful in class? Take those up, read them. Write what you need and display it on the screen.

3) Have a team meeting with the whole class. Students need to know we need a better working atmosphere. We have 10 weeks of school left. There are three things I need from you: respect (for one another, for me, for math, and for yourself); effort (bring materials to class, homework and a mindset ready to work), and kindness. 

When it begins to get unruly, move to the unruly group.

4) share the routine that will take place this next week

5) individual meetings with ring leaders. Let them know you care about their learning and want to help them get through the class. Be specific about a particular behavior, how it makes you feel, how you want to help them and ask what they need and tell them what you need.