Stressing about Mornings

A big area of talking in my classroom has always been the morning time, right when the students come in. Their first step is to answer the magnet question, then they turn in papers, tear out seatwork, write their behavior goals and then they are asked to read a book quietly.

For the majority of the year, until probably March, this time was a struggle for me because I wanted them quietly reading, and they wanted to talk to their friends. I would have to start the morning by giving students tallies just for talking during this beginning morning time, and although I hated starting the morning with tallies, I also wanted them to read quietly.

After a particularly bad morning, I was reflecting on what I could do to make it better, and I realized that I was actually asking something that was not necessary. I realized that at any adult gathering, our first inclination is to chit chat with our friends and catch up from the day before, and then we are ready to start the day. Where on the other hand, if we didn't have that, we would be more likely to talk.

If that is how we, as adults operate, how could I expect my students to do better than that, or even if I can get them quiet, then they have burning things they want to share with their friend, they will talk out during a lesson, than during the morning time when it is less disruptive.

So the decision I came to, and have been happy with it since, was that they can have the first 10 minutes or so to get those little talkings out while they are still getting ready. Kids are not allowed to mess around or just talk, but if they are still answering the question, turning in work, tearing out paper etc. and having a conversation at the same time, its okay. After 10 minutes, I use an attention getter, and announce that everyone needs to be quietly reading now, and I can keep the class quiet because now I can discipline those few who are still talking even after my request for quiet instead of the majority of the class first thing in the morning.

Just like relaxing on chair check, I have found that relaxing on this area makes everyone happier for the day.