Yesterday I did a "carousel" activity with my tenth grade classes. A carousel was something my teachers in high school did every once in a while to touch upon topics of our reading in a different manner. Around the room you post prompts, questions, quotes, theories, etc. onto large chart paper and have the kids rotate around and respond to the prompts within small groups. Since the day prior to my carousel, I had reviewed and discussed the major themes, symbols, and concepts of the Scarlet Letter with my classes, I decided to make my carousel prompts about real world and personal connections. I had one about stereotypes, one about the concept of family and marriage, the idea of "evil", the idea of identity and conforming to society, etc.
As I circled the room listening to the kids talking about the prompts, I was pleased with the majority of what I was hearing; for the most part they were actually reading the prompts and talking about them with each other and answering them together. I think they all have such different ideas and personalities, so I was happy they felt comfortable enough to be honest in their answers. However, there was a group or two that was not exactly taking the activity seriously and began writing silly or politically incorrect answers on the chart paper. I told them to be respectful in their answers and take the prompts seriously (for the second time since I had given a quick speech about that at the start of class to everyone) and that this was not time to joke. I was not surprised at which kids it was, they are the ones who seem to continually want to tear down my lessons most days, but I am at a loss as to what to do about this.
All in all, the carousel went well and I had gotten the kids to not only think about important concepts of our society, but I also had them making connections between themselves and the novel. Overall, it was a successful lesson that had them moving, thinking, and sharing, so I'm happy with it.
Anyone have any suggestions on getting these few kids to take my lessons more seriously? Thanks! :)
Kayla: I think you should speak to each student separately, either out in the hall during class (so obvious), or during another class (pull them out), or during lunch (pull them aside), or after school. But the key is to speak to them separately. Do not speak to them as a group. They are way more powerful than you are. When you speak to each of them, remember to use your "I" voice to communicate what you are thinking and feeling about their behavior. Remember not to just talk about your heart but also about what you KNOW about behaving and what's tolerated in the world and what's not, which you know as a smart person who has gotten somewhere in this world.
ReplyDeleteFEEL the confidence of your college degree and all those classes and all that practice in schools and all the tuition bills. FEEL the confidence of your dream to be a teacher. Then, make sure you don't give those students a chance to cut into that confidence anymore. See you tomorrow night.
Group work can be frustrating!!! My suggestion is to make all students accountable for some part of the activity, but don't tell them exactly which part! It will keep them on their toes :)
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