TOSS+Scenarios

** Bad boy, bad boy ** ** How will you handle this, teacher? **
 * Whatcha Gonna Do? **


 * Someone’s pencil is taken when he goes to get a book and now it can’t be found. **

This happened twice last week. I would simply give him another pencil. I plan on keeping a small supply of materials in my classroom for situations such as this. I see no point in delaying class and conducting a full search for his lost pencil. I also do not feel that something this minor should be allowed to distract from class time by me acknowledging it in any way. When the student who stole the pencil does not receive the desired result he was hoping for he will be less likely to continue his behavior. If this type of thing begins to repeat itself then I would handle the situation differently and address the class. However if this is the first time that this has happened I do not feel that it is important enough to even acknowledge, let alone discuss with students, parents, or administration. That being said I would document the stolen pencil just in case this is the beginning of a string of incidences that could potentially heighten in severity.

** The same two or three students try to answer all questions you ask. **
This happens to me and my CT in every class we teach each day. I simply address the class by saying "class the same hands keep going up, I need someone new to answer." Then I wait patiently until they all realize that we cannot move on until someone new raises their hand to answer the question. I have also adopted my teacher’s response to this problem by sometimes addressing the class as if I am an auctioneer. I say "One hand, now two, three, lets keep it going, can I see four, five, nice job, who is going to give me six." Then I call on the people who have their hands raised who normally don't volunteer during class. This tactic works pretty well, and normally I end up with at least half the class having their hands raised. I think it is important not to give in and let the same students keep answering. I have no problem waiting until someone new volunteers. Normally it only takes me waiting a few extra seconds, which seems like an eternity to the students who are waiting for someone new to participate.