KL

Posted on 10/19/09

One thing I've always been complimented on is my classroom
management- though for the last 3 years I've never had more
than 22 kids on my roster. This year, due to budget cuts,
they decided to put several classes on overload- meaning our
cap is at 28 and I have 29 students. Seven extra bodies
makes a difference! The one issue that my teaching partner
and I are struggling with is extremely inappropriate language.

Our 5th graders are using very sexual words and mimicking
some sexual actions. Of course the consequence is going
straight to the principal (legally this has to be our first
recourse). You'd think this would eliminate some of the
words and behaviors, but kids come right back from the
principal and start saying lewd things about their body parts.

We don't have a school counselor, so assistance from a
mental health professional is not an option. If it was just
one kid instigating it, I would report possible sexual
abuse- but it's many kids, usually boys, demonstrating these
behaviors. We're wondering if it has to do with puberty and
noticing bodily changes. We can't teach human growth and
development until May though- so addressing that is not an
option either.

Does anyone have any ideas about how we can teach our kids
that this is inappropriate behavior? So far we've
disciplined with the principals, had class and individual
discussions about sexual harassment, have shown the kids our
district discipline matrix, and have talked to parents.
None of it has been effective; it's actually gotten worse.
I am so open to any ideas right now! I don't want another
day of this in my classroom (actually out on the playground,
reporting behaviors in the classroom).

Thanks!
KL

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