On 10/19/09, KL wrote:
> 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
>

I think they are enjoying this partly because of the shock
factor and the reaction they are getting from adults. You
have definitely been presenting a united front with
teacher/principal/parent involvement. I agree that this kind
of behaviour needs to stop.
Would it be possible to invite a visitor from a sexual abuse
line or a similar person who has experienced this type of
harrassment to come in and speak to the children about how
scarred they have been because of the acts of others?
Sometimes if you are able to engage their empathy, it gets
through to them.
Can you tie this to some kind of community service project?
If caught engaging in inappropriate gestures or comments they
owe so many minutes to a project in the school or
neighbourhood. If you could get a project going that
parents, administrators and teachers agreed to, then perhaps
the students would find that the actions weren't worth it.
They would not get a reprimand, just so many minutes posted
beside their name on the board with an expectation that the
service would be carried out. No arguing or the time
increases.
You will need the buy-in of all interested groups to make
this work --- but it's worth it if you can break these
behaviours.

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