Vent/Idea--Will Never Happen---Quiet Classes

[Anonymous]

I was on the train this weekend and choose to sit in the quiet car. Why can't schools offer a "quiet" section of the core classes? Students would opt into the section and they would have to sign a contract agreeing to the rules of the classroom. 3rd time you violate the rules you are moved to a non "quiet" section.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean? Like study hall? No talking, no instruction?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What do you mean? Like study hall? No talking, no instruction?

Not exactly. In HS. Students don't talk out of turn. Teacher provides direct instruction. Engages students as needed. But the students don't have sidebar conversations. In short, students agree to behave and learn in class.

[Anonymous]

Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

[Anonymous]

In high school, this comes close to happening by enrolling in the most advanced classes. Not a ton of behavioral issues in Multivariable and AP Spanish Lit.

At the elementary school level, can you imagine being the teacher stuck teaching the loud class? Nightmare. Although I imagine if you put the ten worst behaved kids in one class and forty in the other, it might work.

[Anonymous]

Yes to quiet classes

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was on the train this weekend and choose to sit in the quiet car. Why can't schools offer a "quiet" section of the core classes? Students would opt into the section and they would have to sign a contract agreeing to the rules of the classroom. 3rd time you violate the rules you are moved to a non "quiet" section.

What if the class sizes don't work out? Or if you can't staff multiple classes at the same time?

It's logically impractical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

Trust me, nobody wants a quiet classroom more than a ADHD kid who is easily distracted by the kid next to them who is watching random YouTube videos without headphones. Our daughter has used her preferential seating more than any other accommodation, and always to move away from disruptive classmates who are talking or goofing off instead of paying attention.

The idea that ND kids are uniformly disruptive or don’t value quiet or serious classes is painfully ignorant.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

Trust me, nobody wants a quiet classroom more than a ADHD kid who is easily distracted by the kid next to them who is watching random YouTube videos without headphones. Our daughter has used her preferential seating more than any other accommodation, and always to move away from disruptive classmates who are talking or goofing off instead of paying attention.

The idea that ND kids are uniformly disruptive or don’t value quiet or serious classes is painfully ignorant.

Yes to this. A "quiet classroom" could actually BE the accommodation that meets an IEP. But could also be incredibly helpful for academically minded kids who actually want to learn and pay attention.

TBH at the high school level I feel like the solution should be that ever class is a "quiet class" and if you are disruptive you can do to the cafeteria or the study hall room and work independently (or watch your stupid YouTube videos as long as you want). I don't think teachers should have to provide material to kids who simply do not want to learn. But that's not how public school works unfortunately. We all have to pretend like there is value in filling classrooms with defiant kids who don't care and don't want to be there and make it miserable for the kids who actually do want to be there (regardless of whether they have ADHD or not -- lots of kids with ADHD do still care about academics and want to be at school).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

Trust me, nobody wants a quiet classroom more than a ADHD kid who is easily distracted by the kid next to them who is watching random YouTube videos without headphones. Our daughter has used her preferential seating more than any other accommodation, and always to move away from disruptive classmates who are talking or goofing off instead of paying attention.

The idea that ND kids are uniformly disruptive or don’t value quiet or serious classes is painfully ignorant.

Oh, yeah. My DD with ADHD frequently asks to work in the hallway or the library when her AP and IB classes are given independent work time, or work in groups. Or to use her noise-canceling headphones.

She’s found that because there tends to be a core group of kids taking the same type of advanced classes, they all know each other well and usually try to sit in their friend groups. I gather most are pretty respectful during actual lectures, but as soon as the format is even slightly relaxed, they start talking among themselves. And there are a few very outgoing, charismatic instigators that pretty much guarantee a chaotic environment.

[Anonymous]

One of the 1st grade teachers at my school was notorious for running a tight ship and essentially a quiet classroom like you've described. It was just her management style (and no, she wasn't mean or overly strict). When making the rising 1st grade classes, we would consider students who would benefit most from this type of environment. Not a great fit for some students, but for others it made a world of difference. I wish there was a way to implement this idea!

[Anonymous]

My 3rd grade DD would love a quiet classroom. Her classmates are somewhat rowdy/chatty and she is a worker bee that just wants to get her stuff done.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

Trust me, nobody wants a quiet classroom more than a ADHD kid who is easily distracted by the kid next to them who is watching random YouTube videos without headphones. Our daughter has used her preferential seating more than any other accommodation, and always to move away from disruptive classmates who are talking or goofing off instead of paying attention.

The idea that ND kids are uniformly disruptive or don’t value quiet or serious classes is painfully ignorant.

Yes to this. A "quiet classroom" could actually BE the accommodation that meets an IEP. But could also be incredibly helpful for academically minded kids who actually want to learn and pay attention.

TBH at the high school level I feel like the solution should be that ever class is a "quiet class" and if you are disruptive you can do to the cafeteria or the study hall room and work independently (or watch your stupid YouTube videos as long as you want). I don't think teachers should have to provide material to kids who simply do not want to learn. But that's not how public school works unfortunately. We all have to pretend like there is value in filling classrooms with defiant kids who don't care and don't want to be there and make it miserable for the kids who actually do want to be there (regardless of whether they have ADHD or not -- lots of kids with ADHD do still care about academics and want to be at school).

My Anxiety/ADHD would love this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Bingo! Also what you proposed will not be suitable our neurodiverse classroom.

Agree. So ND students wouldn't opt into the quiet class. They would be enrolled in other sections.

Trust me, nobody wants a quiet classroom more than a ADHD kid who is easily distracted by the kid next to them who is watching random YouTube videos without headphones. Our daughter has used her preferential seating more than any other accommodation, and always to move away from disruptive classmates who are talking or goofing off instead of paying attention.

The idea that ND kids are uniformly disruptive or don’t value quiet or serious classes is painfully ignorant.

Piling on the agreement with this. My AuADHD-inattentive kid is a serious rule follower and his biggest complaint has always been other kids goofing off. A quiet, “old fashioned” lecture style classroom setup would be a dream come true.