Of all the responses I've gotten, yours Andrew, is probably the
best. I really appreciate you taking it to the kid's level.
We're definitely bringing in a police officer to let the kids know
that there are legal consequences to some of their behaviors, but
I will use your "golden nuggets" along with that. Thanks!

On 10/21/09, ANDREW C. GERMAIN wrote:
> I have invested most of my time and energy, (as a Teacher and
> Life-Skills Songwriter/Performer), in Evidence-Based,
> Best-Practices.
>
> Here are some 'golden nugget' Life-Skills that help me ensure
> valuable words, phrases, conversations, and gestures, (as
> opposed to "inappropriate" behaviors.
>
> 1) The only way to make life better is by learning better
> with others. 2) If you are using offensive language and
> gestures, you are promoting an untrustworthy image of
> yourself. 3) If others cannot trust you, they cannot learn
> with you. 4) If others cannot learn with you, you quickly find
> yourself in valueless relationships (social networks) that
> lead to fewer choices in your life, and less power in your
> life. 5) In addition, I always tell my students that, "If you
> can't control yourself, you will be controlled." I don't
> know of anyone that wants to give up their freedom in life,
> and be controlled. 6) Your world will shrink or expand,
> depending upon how well you can learn with others.
>
> These Evidence-Based, Best-Practices, (Life-Skills), are not
> based in religion, or philosophy, nor are they based in
> opinion, or personality. It is this knowledge that allows me
> to maximize my 'Learning with others' spaces, in and outside
> of my classroom. My students find these highly valuable,
> highly practical tools to be irresistible. Then I write them
> into songs, and we have a blast singing about these
> Life-Skills.
>
> I hope this helps! What do you think of these ideas? What
> about these ideas does not work for you? What about these
> ideas does make sense for you?
>
> Best Andrew C. Germain (The Institute for Life-Skills Music)
> "Because thriving in 21st century America is really something
> to sing about!" (310) 922-2213
>
> 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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