Children especially 10 and 11 year olds are testing the
boundaries of what's appropriate and inappropriate and -
their standards are Very Different from ours. Telling them
this is inappropriate and with any shock or dismay or
embarrassment doesn't work. They see our dismay and shock
over this as a bit strange because they learn this speech
from prime time tv.

What is your principal saying to them? Whatever it is, it's
not working. But I wouldn't know why you'd need a mental
health counselor to socialize the children - this isn't a
mental health issue, it's socialization and made difficult
because of the tv shows they're allowed to watch.

They will talk this way among themselves - there's nothing to
do about that. While I would have rather died at their age
than speak a body part outloud, times have changed and
they're comfortable with it. They're not harassers, they're
kids with big talking mouths.

What's bad is that they make us somewhat older folks
uncomfortable. Let's understand that if you watch prime time
TV - you'll hear the words they're using and you'll hear some
of the same lewd talk. Ever watch 2 and a Half Men? I watched
it only once but it's a half-hour of lewd talk. Cougartown?
You need watch it only once to see a half-hour of lewd talk -
and on prime time major channel tv. Ever hear of Howard Stern
and his radio show that I had to turn off as quickly as I
turned on the car radio one day with my children in the car??

If children see that on tv, how are they to know that decent
folks don't talk like that when tv is full of it and decent
folks are watching it??

I tell 'em like it is myself- if you saw it on tv, leave it
on tv. I don't get mad or more important, flustered. They're
trying to act like characters on tv - they're not trying to
abuse anybody. I tell them this class is not a bar, you're
not in a fraternity and stop babbling and blithering about
your body parts. That always makes them laugh and they get
it. Until they're out on the playground but what's important
to me is the classroom.

Why is it any different to your management skills than other
inappropriate things they say? Do they say 'shut up' to each
other? I don't allow it and I bet you don't either. Do they
use swear words in the classroom? I doubt you allow it. Why
would this be different?

But you're also saying you have no choice but to keep sending
them to the principal and that doesn't work. If you can't
address it with them as the manager of your classroom, your
hands are tied and you're left to hope your school policy
changes.

Good luck.
>

> 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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