Each day, toward the end of our schedule, the kids have "table time." They work on various skills they've been practicing throughout the day such as letter printing, a math practice page, etc. In both classes, my first students finished feel the need to announce it to everyone. Most of the time, I don't feel that my kids are doing sloppy work to get done first. They are proud to be the first ones finished. The problem is, the rest of my kids then feel slightly rushed or like they are not as good.
We have talked about the fact that being done first isn't what counts--everyone does their best work in different amounts of time etc. Does anyone have other strategies that have worked to help kids keep their accomplishments to themselves?
I have had students right me a sticky note that's says I'm done or has a smiley on it. This way only the really excited kids want to do it and others think of it as too much work. I have also had kids come over and give me a wink and then I wink back which means they know they can add to their work by adding pictures or words. Good Luck!
ReplyDeleteI think that when the kids are proud and excited to be done first then they could maybe go to a place in the room and do a 'victory dance' behind your desk or maybe they could have a secret "first done" tally sheet in the inside of their locker. In 4th grade I find that the students racing to be done first are usually the students handing in the lowest quality of work. I really try to discourage being the first one done. Hope you like my two ideas.
ReplyDeleteI think that having a class discussion about how vociferation affects other learners would help; have the students brainstorm ways to express success quietly (great ideas above!).
ReplyDeleteAlso, if a learner feels the need to yell, you can let them know that you will "check-off" their work, with your stamp, when they have watched how their other friends finish quietly (then wait until a couple of other students finish before coming back to them...may help!).