Fifth Grade Teacher Needs Advice

[Jiffy]

This is my first year teaching Fifth grade and I could sure use some advice from members of this forum.

First of all... I have a very talkative class. From the minute they walk in to the class in the morning they want to talk. I have tried taking Recess away, having them write punishment sentences, calling parents, and this does not seem to help very much.

Things get worse when they go to Special Area. Last Friday, for example, I picked the students up from Library, and the Libriarian looked as though she was ready to cry!! She said the whole class was out of control and they were not able to check out books, but instead, had to sit at their tables and not talk. So of them even had problems with that!! This type of senario typically happens in all special area classes
as well as during lunch.

It has become a chore just to try and teach. It seems that the only way I can keep my students quiet, is to give them a packet of worksheets, and say "complete these, and don't talk." Even after I have explained how to do the worksheets, I have half of the class raising their hand and saying "I don't get this!"

PLEASE HELP ME MAINTAIN MY SANITY!!!

What should I do???

[AAA Teacher Forum]

Jiffy,
If the students are having a difficult time in and out of your classroom, I would suggest getting your administrator involved. You could either visit with him or her about what to do. Or, you could even ask your administrator to come in and visit with the class.

Jennifer