Classrooms aren’t libraries, and it is okay to be loud & having fun!
So, during my first few years of teaching, I thought it was always best to have the “quiet” classroom, the “well-behaved” classroom, you didn’t want to be “that teacher” with the rambunctious and loud students…well lets just say over the years I have CHANGED my mind!
It is so ingrained in our teacher brains that having the quiet, respected, well behaved classroom is the only way that student learning can occur.
WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!!!!
Especially for us foreign language teachers! They have to talk and speak in the language they are learning?!? Duh!
Why it’s okay to not have the quiet classroom and how to get over it.
Now does this mean every day in class is going to be loud, no. There are days where we had quiet learning and study times. Especially when introducing new material, taking notes or reviewing important topics with a class discussion. BUT…most students need to be active and engaged in their learning in more than just note taking, worksheets, speakings, etc. Some of our students need to be moving and grooving to learn!
Especially being a world languages teacher our classes should be LOUD…why you may ask…because that means we are USING THE LANGUAGE! It may feel weird at first to have a noisy classroom and that’s okay..don’t mind the nosy neighbor teacher…they are just jealous they are not having so much fun! 😜 But getting our students to use the language they are learning is so important. Giving them that confidence of time and space to learn and practice the language they are speaking is so necessary.
So let go of what you THINK your classroom should be like and let it become the classroom you WANT it to be!
On the days that my students were all over the place, loud, talking, moving around, I felt those were the most accomplished days as a teacher. I could see my students learning and helping each other learn and that was such a blessing! Getting our students to actively engage in their learning is what it is all about. Giving them the tools and resources to create learning rather than us making it for them. That is how we create lifelong learners, and I am so proud to be a part of this journey with them.
Need some fun ways to get the party started? 🥳 🥳 🥳
Try one of my games available for purchase on my TPT Store!
Here are the games that I really enjoy playing with students:
This is a game that can be played at any time! All you need is the Game Board, Whiteboard with Projector or Smartboard, Dry Erase Markers and Erasers. This is a great way to review verb conjugations and tenses in French.
This is a game that can be played at any time! All you need is the printed game board and different colored writing utensils for students. This is a great way to review vocabulary in French.
This is a game that can be played at any time! All you need is the Game Board, 4 Chairs Labeled, Whiteboard with projector or Smartboard, markers and erasers. This is a great way to review vocabulary, verb conjugations or even writing sentences in French. The students will beg you to play this again and again!!!
This is a game that can be played at any time! All you need is the printed game board, and one writing utensil and dice per team. This is a great way to review verb conjugations and tenses in French.
As always, I hope that you have found this information useful and helpful to you!
Merci,
Amanda