Change the game

Today, in a third grade class, we were playing “Around the World” with multiplication cards. One student did not want to play and was falling off his chair and attempting other antics to attract attention.

I was enjoying the game and his behavior wasn’t really bothering me. But it was bothering other students and they kept calling my name and pointing to the aberrant child. Finally I made him go stand outside.

The teacher came back and said the same thing happened the last time there was a sub. And to the same kid! That’s when I realized it was a game that all the class enjoyed. How long would it take the sub to kick Johnny out?

Now I want to change the game. Here’s how I plan to do it. Next time a student interrupts the class to report on the misbehavior of another student, I will point out that calling out is an inappropriate behavior.

I will explain that Johnny falling off his chair does not annoy me. But people who interrupt me to tell me that Johnny is falling off his chair do annoy me. Then I will ask the name of the tattler. And explain that if he keeps on interrupting the class I will put his name on the board.

Of course this will cause much yelling and objection because that is not the way their teacher does it. What I hope to accomplish is complete isolation of Johnny. It sounds like a fun experiment.