This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Thursday, October 22, 2015
"Of everything I did this week in my teaching, what would I do differently if I had the chance to do it again, and why?"
This week I tried to implement a new seating arrangement for two of my classes and the process did not go too well. I allowed students to come in class and sit down before instructing of their new seats. This created a long disruption and attitudes flared at me. The next I do this, I will create the new seating chart and then have it visible to students when they walk into my classroom. I could also instruct them where to go while I am standing at my door when they enter the classroom. It was a train wreck and I screwed up on that one.
Don't beat yourself up, chances are, attitudes would've flared anyway!! I feel certain there was a reason you implemented a "new" seating arrangement!! You're doing exactly what i've done. Honestly, in situations like this, I remind my students "we do not get to choose who we work with and we do not always get to choose who we sit next to (even at the movie theater). You are doing fine!!
ReplyDeleteI once was cussed out over a new seating chart, so I understand where you are coming from. You know, what I have found that works is that you change the seating chart all the time. I switch about every two weeks. That way they understand it's always changing and not because you want to split them up, though you might be doing it just for that reason. They think it's just something that's going to happen and they are ready for it. Now when I don't change it after two weeks they start asking me when it will happen. It's kinda funny to have the resistance at first and now have them almost requesting it.
ReplyDeleteFor the record, my seating charts are typically based on student grades. The way my seats are set up is kind of strange, but I put the lower grades near the front and the better grades toward the back, with a few exceptions.
My process, isn't great, I typically draw it out and then just go row by row through the room telling them where they sit. I think what they want you to do is put it on the board and let the kids figure it out... but you know, when I can't even get them to bring paper and pencil to class some days I worry that putting it on the board will just raise a thousand more questions.
Wow! That's tough, but I do agree. I think the better plan next time is to have the seats assigned prior to the students entering the room. I would have met them at the door with notecards with numbers on the back. The desk would correspond with the notecards and would have explained what was going on after they were seated. I think it was a bad experience, but experience is the best teacher. I also think your original method could have worked with different students. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and keep it moving.
ReplyDelete