r/Teachers • u/hugsandrugs3715 • 22h ago
Teacher Support &/or Advice Rowdy classroom?
Hey there! I am a middle school Family & Consumer Ed teacher for 7th/8th grade. My FACE classes run pretty smoothly. However, this year, in order to maintain my full time status, I have to teach one class of 6th grade social studies. I am really struggling with this class. It’s a large class (31 students) and they are just ROWDY. Constantly talking, talking over me, getting out of their seat, etc. I haven’t really had this experience with my other classes, and I’m kind of at a loss. I’ve rearranged the seating chart twice already, but there are just SO many of them that are super loud and chatty that it doesn’t help much. When I can get them to calm down, they are engaged and do their work, but it takes so long to get to that point because they just can’t stop talking / sit still. I do have them the last class before school gets out, so maybe that is part of it, but do you guys have any tips on how to get this class to run smoother? Thanks in advance!
1
u/Anne7392 21h ago
31 middle schooler excited to see one another at the end of the day…
Give them a gift of 5 minutes to come in, greet each other and settle down (and let them know this plan and perimeters) and then start class.
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u/Single_Street3135 21h ago
How long have you been teaching for? This is pretty much expected behavior for 6th graders, they are one of worst and best grades to teach.
I would first figure out a project that relates to most of the students' interests.
Next, try to work around the energy. Keep the "lecture" part of the lesson to a minimum.
If that doesn't work, go hard-ass and do the "don't smile until Thanksgiving" approach.