Classroom Management

There is no quick answer to this question and sometimes there is no good answer.

Even without the wide range of student ability that you describe, getting ‘off task’ is a part of a classroom. That is something that presents in classroom despite the best of advanced preparation.Teaching is something that no matter how good the ed. classes are, there’s still something to be learned ‘on the job’.

But what’s wrong with some sitting around? A school classroom is not a factory or at least it shouldn’t be. In my classroom, early finishers sometimes read or draw or they can ‘sit around’ a bit.

Good luck.

there should be adequate support for you as teacher as well as the students. if you have a child who is severly handicapped, there should be support from either an aide or a special ed teacher to co-teach with you. it is a no-win situation to have one teacher be expected to make this classroom situation work. the needs of all the students should be met - and that means providing the right amount of support for the teacher.

> My question is when I am
> teaching in my general ed. classroom and I have a range of
> students from severe handicapped to L.D. to gifted and
> talented how do I manage my time wisely so no one is sitting
> around or getting off task. I am only one person.

Keep some items handy that can fill the time gaps, but make sure they aren’t considered more work. IE-what I call brain challengers—they are words written to describe a phrase (Call you come= Call before you come) you can find books of these at teacher store. Also pick up a book of freebies for students and let them write and request an item, they then fill out the envelope and you can mail it. Another thing would be to let the students who finish early act as a helper to the students that are struggling, peer teaching may work when your way hasn’t gotten the point across. Good luck!!