I use my cell phone to help me with disruptive students. When a problem occurs, I just call any number and push the clear button. The students think I pressed the send button. I pretend that 1 am talking to their parents. You should see the expressions on their faces!

NIKKI SHEFFIELD

Dublin, Georgia

ANSWER: I teach the children to copycat movement patterns, saying "do what I do" while moving my arms up and down, patting my head, touching my nose, etc. Initially I do one movement, and then switch movements about every five seconds. Later, I will do a pattern of movements. Children need to watch and tend to stop talking as they concentrate on imitating. I praise children for copying quietly. In addition to getting their attention, this gives them a simple movement break, and if I combine activities that cross and uncross the midline, it helps their sensory systems and improves their thinking skills.

Lovevilie, Maryland

ANSWER: I have green, yellow, and red discipline cards on a chart for each student. At the beginning of the day. each student has a green card showing on the chart. If a child is disruptive, he or she is told to pull their green card as a warning and the yellow card is exposed. After the yellow card is pulled, the child is given a five-minute timeout. After the red card is pulled, the time-out is 10 minutes. If the bad behavior continues, the child is sent to the school reflection room to talk to the educational assistant about how he or she can better handle a situation. Once a reflection sheet is satisfactorily completed, the child may return to class. Few students have to pull more than their green card before remembering to stay on task.

LOLITA COX

Sixth-grade teacher

St. Paul. Minnesota

ANSWER: I use a small plastic bucket to address the issue of tattling. I decorate the bucket with a sad face, a nose, eyes, and some big ears. After I discuss tattling with the class, I tell my students that if they want to tattle, they must write their concern on a piece of paper and place it in Mr. Bucket. This has been a great help in stopping the tattling because kids don't get my attention. Later, I read what is placed in Mr. Bucket and then decide if anything needs to be addressed.