Student Teaching Help
After two days of teacher her English II classes, my mentor teacher gave me some “unofficial” feedback. She mentioned two things: I talk too softly and I need an attention grabber, for when students enter and for when they get off task. I know about the low voice and I am trying to get better at it. But, I’m wondering about the attention grabber. My mentor teacher isn’t a fan of Bell ringers, because the school has cut classes to 50 minutes each - and sometimes they ring the bell 5 or 7 minutes earlier. I offered her some suggestions: “Class, Class.” or snapping. But, my mentor teacher believes that “too young” for high schoolers. I’ve been looking, but nothing is catching my eye. I thought about playing music as they enter or playing sounds when they get noisy. I could use some ideas and thoughts.
Oh, if it helps: the English II children are in both 10th and 11th grade. Many have failed English II before. The mentor teacher describes them as the most entitled, nasty, mean, immature children she has ever taught. And, considering where she has taught (an alternative school for teens awaiting prison) and who she has taught (gangs), that is saying something.
I tried asking for attention. I said things like: “Class, I need your faces forward.” “Class, we’re starting. This is important. If you don’t hear directions, that is on you. Please pay attention.” I get some looks or their attention for three minutes, and than it is back to talking.
I think the issue with my quiet voice is that her classroom is old - from the 1940s, solid brick, and it is crowded. It’s an old computer lab that is very bad with noise.