I don't know how you teachers do it

[Lynn CC]

I teach 10th grade CCD (religious class) and the girls just want to sit by one another and chit chat the whole time. The kids that arn't talking just want to get on with the readings and prayers, but these girls are making it mighty difficult.

They don't listen when I ask them not to talk, just give me an hour of your time etc....
Frankly, I'm sick of it too. Do you think I should send them to the office? Things were going pretty good up until X-mas break.

Any suggestions on what I can do?

 

[JohnTBap]

Start by assigning seats. Get back to me if that doesn't help.

 

[olena]

Separating them via seating chart was my suggestion, too.

 

[glo]

Seating will help.
Make sure to keep them interested, try working topics around so that they have some meaning to their lives.

 

[tiggerlover]

Assigned seating is a good start. I would say assigning consequences there after if they don't cooperate.

 

[Lynn CC]

Thanks! I just switched the seating around. I did think of that, but I never did it because I didn't want to split up the ones that enjoy sitting next to one another that don't talk, but it looks like I had to.

 

[disykat]

If changing their seats and a firm discussion of expectations doesn't work...Talk to their parents and see if they're willing to come in and help. Then talk to the girls and tell them that if the talking continues you really can't continue with your important work - and that it's so important to their parents that they learn they've agreed to come in and help by sitting with them to help them remember appropriate behavior. Let them know you're frustrated, but that you're going to do whatever it takes to solve the problem because you feel so strongly about their religious instruction.