Amanda+Pruitt

Amanda Pruitt Just as the class begins a quiet activity (a 10 minute writing) a student, the same one who’s done this several times this week, gets up and sharpens his pencil.
 * __ Scenario 1 __**

I chose this scenario because this happens every day in my 7th period class. I always open up class with a grammar warm-up activity, and then the students check their homework quietly. I noticed that particular students would always get up during this time and sharpen their pencils. At first, it started to bother me but I chose not to say anything because it was not bothering anyone except me. All of the other students were on task, and the students who were getting up to sharpen their pencils were quiet and did not cause any harm. I chose to let this go because they were not really bothering anyone and they were getting their work finished as soon as they sat down. There are some things that are not worth your time or energy to condemn. I am sure that I will need to save that stress over a more serious problem.

As a long as students are on task, you are making a good choice. If you give the student the attention he wants, his behavior may continue or morph into another attention getting behavior. CPK
 * __ Scenario 2 __**

You’ve done everything you’d planned for the day and there are five minutes before the bell will ring

This scenario is very realistic. I have come across this already during my internship. I would have a bookshelf with several books and a bend with fun grammar worksheets. I would instruct the students that they have about five minutes remaining in class and I want them to use that time wisely. They will have the choice to work on their homework, read or chose a fun worksheet. The one thing that I do not want them doing is just sitting there. I want every minute to mean something to them as learners. I have learned the importance of planning bell to bell because once there is that empty time, all goes wrong. The students begin to talk loudly and things can get out of hand. It is very important to plan out your lessons so that they fill the time given for that class.

Your ideas for activities for the last few minutes are good choices, but it is my experience that they student will choose none of those activities and they will use the time to socialize. I would suggest a specific activity for the entire class. (CPK)