Yes! I've recently started using sign language in my room. We do the silent fox (connecting my thumb, middle, and ring finger with pinky and index sticking up) when I need their attention and it's worked really well so far.
I always just assumed we sounded like the Charlie Brown teacher! :) But, honestly, I find I crack jokes when teaching, I am a total smart ass, and a clown. I do everything but stand on my head when teaching to keep their attention!
You are a blessing! This is my first year as a teacher and your videos are so helpful and motivational. I look forward every week for your videos. Thank you! God bless you!
I love how you structure your classroom and Thank you for sharing your passion for teaching with us! 😀 I take a lot of tips from you and other teacher TH-camrs to try out with the kids. As far as keeping student attention, I am very animated but clear and precise when giving expectations. Having a good sense of humor definitely helps as a teacher! 😀
Wow!!! I really love it! You gave me many things to talk about! My pet peeve will definitely be: if you don't work you won't have recess! Thanks a lot for making this for all of us to encourage us and try to be better every day! I would love to see a vlog about your sign language, it will be really helpful! Thank you!!!
what advice do you have for those wanting to become teachers but are quiet and struggling to have the confidence to project a loud voice when speaking to a whole class?
I would love to see a video on your silent signals!!!! I'm so bad at using them, so I really want to learn some really effective signals that I can put into practice.
I teach in a bilingual special education 3rd/4th grade self contained classroom, and I find myself also having to be very direct and to the point! I tend to fall into the trap of asking rhetorical questions/lecturing about behavior and saying things like, "We just talked about you (fall in the blank with the appropriate behavior) this morning and yet your right back to doing the same thing this afternoon?!" ... Oh my ... one day at a time I guess! P.S. a video on nonverbal cues would be great!
I'm not sure if this is reinforcing but I remember my teachers would say "good job lining up" or "that was a mighty mustang line up" instead of please and thank you. And I agree nonverbal/classroom sign language works SO MUCH BETTER. My whole school (or district) had the same signs so that every teacher could use it. Peace symbol meant, face forward, pay attention etc. I agree on everything else, another thing is that you're setting an example of what they should do , we don't know what their home lives are like. they may have nothing but bad examples at home and then they come to school and have more bad influences and we wonder why they disrespect people.
I think the "shhh" and the "Please and Thank you" ahh classroom management is so hard. I'm currently doing my senior practicum in a third grade classroom and I have been having trouble with classroom management. :(
I would have to agree with you 1000%. For the first semester, I was in a coteach position and my partner teacher used please and thank you all the time. It worked for her, but when I tried it I just felt like I was being way to permissive. I have now gone back to my usual style of "just get it done" and that's worked SO much better! Another tip I've learned is to not use "either...or else" language I let my kids know that there is no alternative. Needless to say, I often hear, "you're strict, but nice" (I'll take it lol)
This video made me reflect so much on my classroom management. I just ordered the book to read as one of my summer professional development books! Do you have any suggestions of other pd books great for summer time?
Hi Mrs.Spackman I'm a student in Highschool when ever a teacher gives me an instruction I try to follow through with that but I can relate sometimes all I hear go out the other not gonna lie but the point is that I can relate of how students don't listen and from a students standpoint I am guilty of that I love the videos keep up the good work!
The one that hit home for me was the voice overs. I am terrible at this! I am always doing this to make sure the kids are getting the big ideas. I am going to stop this tomorrow! I bet it will make our lessons go faster too. Anything I need to make sure the kids know will need to be explicit in my lessons, not piggy backed off of a kiddo. Thanks for this!!
I didn't see where you posted the exact name of the book you got this information from. I would love to add it to my bedside table of books I'm ready! :)
Would like a video on the sign language. I use the Thank You ; and the threats. What else can we use in place of that threat. I know you said reenforcement language, but what if you have redirected several times already?
So I use "shhh all the time and in my head I am thinking one day some kid is going to say "it" after and then what will I say. Can you share the book you are reading on classroom language you are getting this info from?
Slightly random but where did you get your anchor chart stand in your small group area? I'm picky and have been searching for a good one forever and yours looks perfect!
Thank you for all ur lovely and educational videos! I wuld just like to ask wat time do ur students start the school day and then wat time do they go home? Also, wat time do u come in (it always looks soo dark!:-) and wat time do u usually go home?
Lol, that drives me bonkers "shhh". My saying is shut it down and the students stop, get quiet, and make their transition. My thing is teach the students classroom procedures and be consistent with your expectations. This gives me more time for teaching and less time redirecting students. I use "thank you" but not a lot. I use it after the student follows a direction given. I have not seen a problem with saying it but I live in Alabama.😊
r.e 'please' and 'thank you' I try not to say please much especially in certain situations because it frames it as a request/favour like you said. however I was taught by a more experienced teacher than myself to say thank you before they even do the task sometimes, as it comes with the assumption that they WILL do it. idk it seems to work but hard to know haha, and I have high schoolers so I don't know if that makes a difference
I wish I saw this before I quit my teaching job! because those were exactly the things I have been struggling with and got me really frustrated! I felt that because I have no children, then I must not have patience for kids!
I completely disagree with the threats thing. I think you have to let children known what the consequence will be if they do not listen. Otherwise they haven't had a fair warning. "You need to get to work. If you do not finish during class, you will be doing it during recess" I think is completely fine.
Hi! My name is morgan and I am currently a sophomore in high school. I have always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher ever since I was little. I was wondering what kinds of things are very important when teaching little ones and do you think it would be a good idea to volunteer in a kindergarten class room to get a feel of what it would be like? Love your vlogs by the way, gives me a little insight on what my life as a teacher is going to be like!!
God!!! I say the same to my kids too. At least I don't feel alone I think is in general. Thank you a lot for the information I will put in practice most of your ideas. I would like to know how you can individualize with kids without interruptions of other students. My second graders are still dependant on me and after giving them clear instructions, and modeling, the still interrupt.
I just want to say I am absolutely IN love with you! I am a 4th grade teacher and this is my first year. Our teaching styles and philosophy is VERY similar. I would love to know more about patreon (sp) I'm a teacher blog NERD and follow your videos and TpT religiously 😂 I feel like we are friends and I don't even know you! Haha. Anyway my team and I are having a curriculum meeting today and I plan on bringing you up and tell them to go back and watch your videos! Hope we can connect sometime! Katherine
Hey Katherine! Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing me with your fellow teachers! I started a Patreon page as an additional way to communicate more directly with viewers who either just want to support the TH-cam channel, are looking for a little help or just are LOVE teacher talk! Here is the link! www.patreon.com/TheLetteredClassroom
I hate "ssssshhhhhh" - usually kids do it (I use non-verbal signals) and I always say, IS THERE A BEACHBALL IN HERE? Because I HEAR A BEACH BALL. (When you let the air out of a beach ball, it says, ssshhhhhhhh.) I use a loop with my thumb and forefinger and hold it up. I also use a bell (it's a Korean Bell, a gift from the servicemen in Korea when my class wrote to them and they hold it in HIGH regard because of that.) The bell is a single "gong" type bell and it works beautifully. And I will do a fun one from time to time... (Teacher: Macaroni - Student responds: and cheese!) There are a lot of fun ones on the internet.
Belkisa Sarajlic Basic requirements start at a bachelors degree with encompasses student teaching. The course work will prepare you for certification, whole thing generally takes 4 years if you're a full time student. If you want to do elementary, do a elementary education BA.
Positive behavior specific praise is a great use of language to give attention to students who are keeping expectations and to subtly redirect students who may not be meeting expectations. I don't agree that we should not individually praise students for doing the expected behaviors. Students who are doing things right desire acknowledgement (and they deserve it honestly!), and it is also a great way to redirect some children's misbehaviors without calling them out. I think the language subtleties that you are pointing out are not realistic. Especially with PBIS.
Thanks for the video! Question: we are not supposed to name students as role models but then you said right after "I notice ______ has their eyes forward." I know saying "I notice" is different than "I love", but isn't that still naming kids as role models?
Julie Hale I was taught from responsive classroom you only say "I notice you... blah blah blah" when speaking directly to the child and then when it's whole group you say "I notice 3 students are blah blah blah" or how ever many students are doing what's being asked or on task. But you never directly call out a kid positively or negatively.
I think one should not say please and thank you for expectations, but save it for when students go beyond the expectation or for doing kind deeds, like picking up another student's pencil that rolled off their desk.
Who uses Classroom sign language? Would you like to see a video on the signs that I've used in Kindergarten and 4th grade?
Yeees! :D
I've been using sign language for 2 years already. I'd love to see how you do it. Really excited!! :)
Yes! I've recently started using sign language in my room. We do the silent fox (connecting my thumb, middle, and ring finger with pinky and index sticking up) when I need their attention and it's worked really well so far.
Yes!! Would love to see a video about that! Very interesting video today--thanks Bridget! :)
The Lettered Classroom yesss!!!
I always just assumed we sounded like the Charlie Brown teacher! :) But, honestly, I find I crack jokes when teaching, I am a total smart ass, and a clown. I do everything but stand on my head when teaching to keep their attention!
Riley Sorvino me 2!!!!!
You are a blessing! This is my first year as a teacher and your videos are so helpful and motivational. I look forward every week for your videos. Thank you! God bless you!
I love how you structure your classroom and Thank you for sharing your passion for teaching with us! 😀 I take a lot of tips from you and other teacher TH-camrs to try out with the kids. As far as keeping student attention, I am very animated but clear and precise when giving expectations. Having a good sense of humor definitely helps as a teacher! 😀
Your videos are a happy place after a hard day hahaa loved this one!
Wow!!! I really love it! You gave me many things to talk about! My pet peeve will definitely be: if you don't work you won't have recess!
Thanks a lot for making this for all of us to encourage us and try to be better every day!
I would love to see a vlog about your sign language, it will be really helpful!
Thank you!!!
Loved the video!!! Excellent tips!!! 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻
Great video. Enjoyed it. I am enjoying using improved strategies to make my day more stress free.
what advice do you have for those wanting to become teachers but are quiet and struggling to have the confidence to project a loud voice when speaking to a whole class?
HeyItsJordana it allows for more student led lesson than teacher led lessons ,as they have the centre stage to their learning.
"Look how beautifully so and so is standing." Also please and thank you
I would love to see a video on your silent signals!!!! I'm so bad at using them, so I really want to learn some really effective signals that I can put into practice.
I'm really enjoying your vlogs! Very inspirational and motivational! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Yes can't wait for the sign language video 😉😍👍
I teach in a bilingual special education 3rd/4th grade self contained classroom, and I find myself also having to be very direct and to the point! I tend to fall into the trap of asking rhetorical questions/lecturing about behavior and saying things like, "We just talked about you (fall in the blank with the appropriate behavior) this morning and yet your right back to doing the same thing this afternoon?!" ... Oh my ... one day at a time I guess! P.S. a video on nonverbal cues would be great!
I'm not sure if this is reinforcing but I remember my teachers would say "good job lining up" or "that was a mighty mustang line up" instead of please and thank you. And I agree nonverbal/classroom sign language works SO MUCH BETTER. My whole school (or district) had the same signs so that every teacher could use it. Peace symbol meant, face forward, pay attention etc. I agree on everything else, another thing is that you're setting an example of what they should do , we don't know what their home lives are like. they may have nothing but bad examples at home and then they come to school and have more bad influences and we wonder why they disrespect people.
I think the "shhh" and the "Please and Thank you" ahh classroom management is so hard. I'm currently doing my senior practicum in a third grade classroom and I have been having trouble with classroom management. :(
Love those tips about teacher talk! I have a couple improvements to make 😂
I would have to agree with you 1000%. For the first semester, I was in a coteach position and my partner teacher used please and thank you all the time. It worked for her, but when I tried it I just felt like I was being way to permissive. I have now gone back to my usual style of "just get it done" and that's worked SO much better! Another tip I've learned is to not use "either...or else" language I let my kids know that there is no alternative. Needless to say, I often hear, "you're strict, but nice" (I'll take it lol)
This video made me reflect so much on my classroom management. I just ordered the book to read as one of my summer professional development books! Do you have any suggestions of other pd books great for summer time?
Hi Mrs.Spackman I'm a student in Highschool when ever a teacher gives me an instruction I try to follow through with that but I can relate sometimes all I hear go out the other not gonna lie but the point is that I can relate of how students don't listen and from a students standpoint I am guilty of that
I love the videos keep up the good work!
Love it!
Question: should we let kids fidget or jot down while delivering board explanations? Thanks for all the precious advice!
The one that hit home for me was the voice overs. I am terrible at this! I am always doing this to make sure the kids are getting the big ideas. I am going to stop this tomorrow! I bet it will make our lessons go faster too. Anything I need to make sure the kids know will need to be explicit in my lessons, not piggy backed off of a kiddo. Thanks for this!!
Your videos are so helpful! I would love to see a sign language video! It would help a lot with my kindergarteners ❤.
I didn't see where you posted the exact name of the book you got this information from. I would love to add it to my bedside table of books I'm ready! :)
Hey Sara! I added it to my Amazon Store :) I am loving it so far!
astore.amazon.com/thelettclas-20?node=8&page=3
Would like a video on the sign language. I use the Thank You ; and the threats. What else can we use in place of that threat. I know you said reenforcement language, but what if you have redirected several times already?
So I use "shhh all the time and in my head I am thinking one day some kid is going to say "it" after and then what will I say. Can you share the book you are reading on classroom language you are getting this info from?
I would love to see a video on ways that you incorporate post it notes in your classroom 😊
Slightly random but where did you get your anchor chart stand in your small group area? I'm picky and have been searching for a good one forever and yours looks perfect!
Unfortunately, I have no idea. I was a 'hall find' from another classroom during summer clean out.
Would love a video on non verbal cues.
Great video!
Thank you for all ur lovely and educational videos! I wuld just like to ask wat time do ur students start the school day and then wat time do they go home? Also, wat time do u come in (it always looks soo dark!:-) and wat time do u usually go home?
Lol, that drives me bonkers "shhh". My saying is shut it down and the students stop, get quiet, and make their transition. My thing is teach the students classroom procedures and be consistent with your expectations. This gives me more time for teaching and less time redirecting students. I use "thank you" but not a lot. I use it after the student follows a direction given. I have not seen a problem with saying it but I live in Alabama.😊
r.e 'please' and 'thank you' I try not to say please much especially in certain situations because it frames it as a request/favour like you said. however I was taught by a more experienced teacher than myself to say thank you before they even do the task sometimes, as it comes with the assumption that they WILL do it. idk it seems to work but hard to know haha, and I have high schoolers so I don't know if that makes a difference
I wish I saw this before I quit my teaching job! because those were exactly the things I have been struggling with and got me really frustrated! I felt that because I have no children, then I must not have patience for kids!
I completely disagree with the threats thing. I think you have to let children known what the consequence will be if they do not listen. Otherwise they haven't had a fair warning. "You need to get to work. If you do not finish during class, you will be doing it during recess" I think is completely fine.
Hi! My name is morgan and I am currently a sophomore in high school. I have always wanted to be a kindergarten teacher ever since I was little. I was wondering what kinds of things are very important when teaching little ones and do you think it would be a good idea to volunteer in a kindergarten class room to get a feel of what it would be like? Love your vlogs by the way, gives me a little insight on what my life as a teacher is going to be like!!
Happy almost Friday everyone.
Yes, please do a sign language video! That would be wonderful!
God!!! I say the same to my kids too. At least I don't feel alone I think is in general. Thank you a lot for the information I will put in practice most of your ideas. I would like to know how you can individualize with kids without interruptions of other students. My second graders are still dependant on me and after giving them clear instructions, and modeling, the still interrupt.
Loved your vlog! :)
Thank you so much!
I would love to have the sign language video!!! :)
I have the Seesaw app at my school and I am in third grade and I love it
Hi I'm girl arbic . I love English .
very nice
Do you know when you are going to do your next classroom transformation?
I am hoping to do the next one in March and the last one in May....if all goes well :)
You kinda did foreshadowing at the end there!
I just want to say I am absolutely IN love with you! I am a 4th grade teacher and this is my first year. Our teaching styles and philosophy is VERY similar. I would love to know more about patreon (sp) I'm a teacher blog NERD and follow your videos and TpT religiously 😂 I feel like we are friends and I don't even know you! Haha. Anyway my team and I are having a curriculum meeting today and I plan on bringing you up and tell them to go back and watch your videos!
Hope we can connect sometime!
Katherine
Hey Katherine! Thank you so much for the kind words and for sharing me with your fellow teachers! I started a Patreon page as an additional way to communicate more directly with viewers who either just want to support the TH-cam channel, are looking for a little help or just are LOVE teacher talk!
Here is the link! www.patreon.com/TheLetteredClassroom
May I ask what book this information about language in the classroom came from?
Responsive Classroom's "The Power of Our Words"
I hate "ssssshhhhhh" - usually kids do it (I use non-verbal signals) and I always say, IS THERE A BEACHBALL IN HERE? Because I HEAR A BEACH BALL. (When you let the air out of a beach ball, it says, ssshhhhhhhh.) I use a loop with my thumb and forefinger and hold it up. I also use a bell (it's a Korean Bell, a gift from the servicemen in Korea when my class wrote to them and they hold it in HIGH regard because of that.) The bell is a single "gong" type bell and it works beautifully. And I will do a fun one from time to time... (Teacher: Macaroni - Student responds: and cheese!) There are a lot of fun ones on the internet.
Where about in Pennsylvania are you located? I'm in N.E. Ohio!
+Miss. Kindergarten We are in South Central PA
The Lettered Classroom: Sounds like a 5-6 hour drive to come observe you ;P
How long did you teach? How long to you have to be in college to be a teacher
Belkisa Sarajlic Basic requirements start at a bachelors degree with encompasses student teaching. The course work will prepare you for certification, whole thing generally takes 4 years if you're a full time student. If you want to do elementary, do a elementary education BA.
Positive behavior specific praise is a great use of language to give attention to students who are keeping expectations and to subtly redirect students who may not be meeting expectations. I don't agree that we should not individually praise students for doing the expected behaviors. Students who are doing things right desire acknowledgement (and they deserve it honestly!), and it is also a great way to redirect some children's misbehaviors without calling them out. I think the language subtleties that you are pointing out are not realistic. Especially with PBIS.
I wanted to ask what grade do u teach
I teach 4th grade ;)
Thanks for the video! Question: we are not supposed to name students as role models but then you said right after "I notice ______ has their eyes forward." I know saying "I notice" is different than "I love", but isn't that still naming kids as role models?
Julie Hale I was taught from responsive classroom you only say "I notice you... blah blah blah" when speaking directly to the child and then when it's whole group you say "I notice 3 students are blah blah blah" or how ever many students are doing what's being asked or on task. But you never directly call out a kid positively or negatively.
katlynne thank you! That helps!
I think one should not say please and thank you for expectations, but save it for when students go beyond the expectation or for doing kind deeds, like picking up another student's pencil that rolled off their desk.
What is that black necklace thing on your neck?
Do You Have Any Experience With Middle School?
CAn you record yourself doing the DRA test with a student Plz!!!