After lunch everyday, the 7th graders have SSR time (Silent Sustained Reading). It's a period of time to read, whatever they want to read, and they are supposed to be quiet. The girl who sits in front of Emily, is always trying to engage Emily in conversation, and, I feel, almost trying to get her in trouble. Emily loves to read and would much prefer to read her National Geographic magazine, than talk to the girl, especially, since they aren't supposed to be talking in the first place. It seems to happen everyday. I know one day this week, that the teacher noticed and made the other girl move to a different spot.

I'm going to bring it up at her conference tomorrow, since Emily's homeroom teacher is the teacher in this class. They have the reading time and then it's her social studies class (hence a large collection of NG magazines to read!)

I'm not sure what he can do. Maybe moving M to a different seat in the room, or something. Also, today, they had a worksheet and M kept talking to herself the whole time she was supposed to be quietly working on the worksheet. Like saying, "I just don't get this" and stuff like that.

Poor Emily would just love it, if she was quiet.

By Vicki on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 08:31 am:

Dawn777, I can hear you! My dd has been having problems all year with some kids in her class. I talked with the teacher about it at the first confrence and was basically told that they put more of a "problem" child by my dd because she is good! Now, in theory, I understand the point, BUT.... I left it go for a couple of weeks and tried to talk to dd about how these kids have to sit by someone and how she could be a good example by not talking back and all of that. Then I noticed her grades starting to slip a little. Simple things that she would normally get right she was missing. She told me she couldn't concentrate and that is when I went in again and talked to the teacher again and kids got moved around. I understand that these kids have to sit by someone, but when it starts to affect grades, that is when it is no longer ok in my book. I don't know what the answer is, but my childs grades falling is it!! LOL

By Mrsheidi on Tuesday, March 1, 2005 - 09:51 am:

As a teacher, I would always put my talkers next to my non-talkers. It kept me sane. Sounds like that girl would talk to a tree. Some kids are just like that...she also might have a reading problem. I'm sure the teacher is aware of the problem and the girl gets herself in enough trouble on her own.
There are some things you can do:
1. Have your DD go up to the teacher and say, "I'm sure you're aware that M talks a lot. But, I feel that it distracts me from my reading which is very important to me. Would it be possible for me to switch seats with so-and-so who also does not talk like me? I feel someone else could be more patient with her."
2. OR...have your daughter simply reply with a semi-loud voice when the girl talks and say,"What M? Do you need something?" This might get the girl in trouble but your daughter would simply be replying to her, right?

Sounds like the teacher needs some classroom management. I used to hold the whole class after the bell rang if even one kid talked. I would add 10 seconds each time until they "got it". That way I used peer pressure and they told each other to be quiet. "M's" talking would last about 10 seconds in my class. Created a team effort, if you will.

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 12:12 am:

I didn't even have to bring it up. He brought it up. She has also been taking Emily's stuff. A pen or mechanical pencil. She always gives it back, but annoying nonetheless. He is going to separate the two of them and have a talk with M. I'm glad he is aware of it.

By Debbie on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:24 am:

That's great Dawn. I am glad it all worked out.

By Ginny~moderator on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 11:53 am:

Isn't it nice when things work the way they are "supposed to".

By Dawnk777 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 05:13 pm:

Emily reports that the whole class got a new seating chart. She is by 4 quiet girls now and is very pleased.

By Annie2 on Wednesday, March 2, 2005 - 07:18 pm:

Yeah!