Prompt #4:

Currently I am feeling overwhelmed and frustrated/down on myself (I am incredibly critical of myself... which is both a good and a bad thing). My largest concern is connected to management and engagement. I am struggling get my students to stop talking while I am talking and also to take me seriously (that is mainly with my older students). I did a class survey and the biggest feedback I got from my students was to be more strict. I feel bad because I can't control my talkative students so my quiet students learning is compromised. I think if I can fix this I will do a better job at getting through to my most difficult students. I am getting through to some of my most difficult students, but most definitely not all. The ones I am getting through to are the ones who I have the most parent contact with.  To increase engagement I have started something called Table Talk, where they turn to their partner and talk to them about a question. We then as a class answer the question after they have had a chance to discuss it.  I did this for the first time on Friday and it worked pretty well. I also use Rally Coach all the time (which I know is a Kagan strategy) and I have seen some really positive things come from the activity.To increase more engagement in the class I think I can use even more Kagan strategies and I also think incorporating more class discussions will help break the class up more and increase engagement. The largest step that I need to make sure I stick with is I need to be consistent in my management and consequences. Once I have that locked down better I will be able to pull small groups, etc. to ensure students are one task.