THAT FIFTH PERIOD CLASS--EVERY TEACHER HAS ONE

Every teacher has that class.  You know the one...the one where half the students are disruptive or out-of-control.  These students interrupt the educational process and the classroom is suddenly filled with negative energy as you try to maintain order.   Every year, disruptive, out-of-control students drive teachers away from the profession.  That class consists of  students who lack self-control and appropriate social skills.  I knew one teacher who got heart palpitations whenever that class was due to arrive.  Another had a panic attack and had to be rushed to the hospital.  A young teacher had a mild heart attack when that class arrived.

As for me...I prayed before, during, and after each session.  That class came during 5th period, right after lunch.  They were loud, rambunctious, and full of energy.  Some students arrived with their lunch.  "Didn't you eat lunch?" I would ask.  "Yeah...But I'm still eating."  I chose my battles; they were exempt from the No Eating rule.  They were often off-task and had to be re-directed many times.  They were angry and defensive, they misinterpreted my motives, and they questioned my intentions.   One day, a boy asked me a question.  I answered it as I headed towards the board.  "Here...I'll write it so you can know how to spell it."  "Oh!  Now she's mad!"  I tried to stay calm and rational:  "I'm not mad.  I just want to show you how to spell it..."  But it was too late. He insisted that I was disrespecting him, and he began to complain. That class was very difficult, but I survived. I learned three things: (1) teaching is not for the faint of heart,  (2) prayer is not enough, and (3) you need effective strategies.


Classical Music Helps Increase Test Scores

Sometimes, students do not always know how to calm down if they experienced stress in their last class.  Bach, Bethovan, and Mozart has been shown to stimulate a child's brain development.  My students increased their FCAT practice scores after listening to classical or meditative music.  We even did a short meditation or I allowed students to do a free write journal assignment while listening to music (without words).  I have allowed students to put their heads down or close their eyes and have a silent meditation.  I found that playing classical music (brain food!) not only helped to improve the mood of my class, it also helped my students to increase their test scores. 

Turn on the Radio to Help Students Focus with Classical Music

Live 365 is an online radio station that offers a variety of classical, meditative music in addition to jazz.

http://www.live365.com/index.live

Classical Music Forums and Information: "The Effects of Classical Music on the Brain," Sylvia Maglione

The author states, "The commonly known 'Mozart effect' is a phenomena that suggests the improvement on the performance of spatial-temporal reasoning and short- term memory through the listening of complex music, such as Mozart’s two-piano concertos."  In other words, Mozart helps to develop reasoning skills and short-term memory.
Reference 
Classical Forums. (2012). Classical Forums. Music Articles. Effect of Classical Music on the Brain.  Retrieved from  http://www.classicalforums.com/articles/

Classroom Management

Here are a few web sites that offer strategies for classroom management:

1. The NEA has an article with a list of strategies that have worked for elementary and middle school teachers.

NEA (2012). National Education Association. Classroom Management. Retrieved from

http://www.nea.org/tools/ClassroomManagement.htmld

2. "How to Control a High School Classroom" has strategies for high school teachers.

eHow Family. (2012). Demand Media, Inc. eHow Family. "How to Control a High School Classroom." Retrieved from

http://www.ehow.com/how_2087132_control-high-school-classroom.html

3. Parentguide News has strategies for educators and parents.classic
Parentguide News. (2012). Network Corporation. Parent Guide News. Music and the Mind.  Retrieved from

http://www.parentguidenews.com/Catalog/ChildDevelopment/MusicandtheMind