Talking Talking Talking!!

[bethbeth81]

I have a class this year that is about 3/4 boys. They are sooooo chatty and I'm looking for some ideas on how to quiet them down. The "card flipping" that has worked for me every other year just isn't cutting it. Anybody know a better way? Your ideas are GREATLY appreciated. Thanks in advance.

[AAA Teacher Forum]

Here are a few ideas:
• Focus on the positive – allow them to earn extra recess, privileges, or a “mystery” reward when they are working quietly.
• For those that are talking a lot, give them “speaking chips.” Each time they want to share their thoughts verbally, they have to give you a chip.
• Use the stop and wait method. When they are talkative, stop talking and start watching the clock. However long it takes for them to be quiet is time they have lost off their recess.
• Give them some chat time. Pull your more talkative ones aside and discuss their talking. Let them know that you will be giving them a sticky note to keep on their desk during work time. When they are tempted to talk, they write that idea on the sticky note. Then, during the chat time, they can share the ideas they wrote down.

Good luck and keep us posted as to how things work out.
Jennifer

[mkultra]

I know how you feel. This is my noisiest class ever! I have tried P.A.T. by Fred Jones. That is working sometimes, but I am concerned about my girls. Is it sexist to think that my class is noisy because we have so many more boys? I am also noticing that my kids are almost all English speaking. Does that add to the noise level? I have always taught in classrooms that are predominately non native speakers? It has always been quieter? Help!!! Can't hear myself teach and I do not want to yell.

[javamomma]

My class of 3rd graders are the same way. It drives me batty they talk as soon as I am done or even before.
I do the individual behavior system then I started paying each table $5 Top Dog Bucks every morning. The students have to pay me when they as a group or someone in their group is not following the class rules (mostly talking and visiting). I also have used it for the students to "buy" another spelling list to replace a lost one ect. I pay tables for doing what is expected and I catch on task.
At the end of the day we count bucks. The table with the most bucks gets to be table of the day the next day and the most at the end of the week is table of the week and gets a push up pencil. The cooliest part for the students is at the end of the day if the class has $20 bucks collectively they get to watch tv. That has only happened 2 times (I have 6 tables!)