Tips for managing excitable children from Shelley

As there are many games for large classes in my primary games book, I thought I would email you some tips gleaned from personal experience, and from other experienced teachers, on how to successfully handle exciteable children.

The tips and ideas are just below.

Included in my special package are:

The main e-book of over 161 language games for children

Including 60 games adapted to the needs of teachers with large classes to encourage listening and speaking skills in particular.150 flashcards in 10 bonus ebooks with a small selection of other games you can print off and use in class Just go here to try out your package: http://www.teachingenglishgames.com/indexlanding3.htm

CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT IDEAS

ESL and TEFL teachers often do not have class management training that their primary school colleagues benefit from. Without preparation it can be somewhat of a shock to take on a classroom of energetic children.

Here are some tips and ideas to help you contain your pupils' enthusiasm to a manageable level.

The email is divided into the basics, handy tips and instant attention getters.

The Basics

Have your pupils define the rules in the first lesson, and post them on the wall for reference. Knowing WHY a rule is in place makes it easier to keep. You must establish the rules on day one and stick to them!

Be consistent in applying your rules. If you are arbitrary about how you dish out your rewards or 'consequences', or punishments you will undermine the rules themselves.

Praise good behavior to generate love and self-esteem. Whatever you do, avoid being like so many parents who spend their whole time telling their children, "don't do this", and "don't do that". By focusing on the positive in order to draw more attention to it you apply the universal law of "you attract what you focus on".

If you are working in a school know the law and rules of your institution before you go into the classroom.

Handy Tips

There is nothing so sweet as the sound of one's own name. So use an individual's name for praise and avoid using it when ticking someone off.

I would ask a naughty student, "Do you want me to speak to your Dad?" By asking them the question you give them the power to choose, whereas if you threaten them with "I will call your Dad if you do not behave", you take the initiative away and seem tyrannical.

Prevention is better than cure, so try giving boisterous students an important task BEFORE they start to play up. They may respond well to the responsbility.

Do not break your own rules by raising your voice to be heard. Instead talk quietly or stop and wait. Your pupils should know that for every minute you are kept waiting theywill receive extra homework, or whatever consequence you have designated. Hand things out quickly or use a system to have things handed out, such as giving the well-behaved students the task as a reward. Sing a song together or do some counting to occupy the class while materials are handed out. (I do give tips throughout my e-book of games on how to handle

specific situations).

Instant Attention Getters

Play a mystery game and say that during the activity you will be watching out for 3 well-behaved students who will be rewarded.

Create teams and use peer pressure to encourage good behavior. Deduct or reward behavior points to a team's score during a game.

Start a song the children know and love – they will all join in with you and at the end you'll have their attention.

Clap out a pattern which they must clap back, or start a rhyme they know with actions.

Use quiet cues such as heads down or lights off. Vary these with other fun quiet cues such as "Give me five".

1--on your bottom, legs crossed; 2--hands folded in your lap; 3--face the speaker; 4--eyes and ears open; 5--mouths closed. You teach this repeatedly in the first lessons and after a few weeks, you only have to say "Give me five: 1,2,3,4,5", and they do. For children aged 6 to 12 you could think up a fun 1 to 5 with actions such as clap your hands, turn around, sit down, eyes front, finger on lips". You would adapt this idea depending on the space you have in your class.

You can also use the Magic 1 2 3 idea. When a child does not comply start counting 1, 2,… The child knows that if you get to 3 there will be some sort of consequence, such as missing out on the next game. If you use this and you reach 3, you must follow through with an appropriate consequence consistently.

To summarise, establish the rules and consequences for good and bad behavior, apply them consistently, set a good example, use peer pressure and points, and use attention grabbing cues such as favorite songs, rhymes with actions and countdowns.

You can be firm and fun at the same time, and if you cannot manage your class, you should realize that, although it sounds harsh to say it, you are wasting their time.

I hope you enjoyed the tips above, and if you have any more to share with me I'll put them together and let everyone have a copy.

.::Related Posts: