Thank-you to everyone who responded. You did give me some
ideas. As far as sending kids to the principal right away-
legally I have to when sexual or threatening language is used.
It falls under Title 11 (I think that's the one anyway).
Sexual language is considered sexual harassment and if I don't
report it immediately I am legally responsible for not doing my
part to remedy the situation. I also have no power to assign
ISS. Our principals must do it. When they do assign ISS they
have a discipline matrix to follow and cannot deviate from it.
Both the principals, my teaching partner, and I have
definitely has conversations with the kids about language that
is and is not acceptable and why we have those expectations.

What we are going to do is have the district police officer
come into the 5th grade and have a conversation about the legal
definitions and ramifications of sexual harassment. Hopefully
when his words mirror ours, the kids will get that we aren't
just being mean. He's also going to chat with common offenders
one on one. If this doesn't work, unfortunately the next step
for many of the kids is a short term suspension. I'd rather
avoid that!

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
>

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