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Re: Kids won't listen......
Posted by Tom on 6/23/08

It's all about ACTUAL expectations. If you truly expect kids
to support one another and the teacher, they will do so ...
as long as you're being respectful towards THEM as well.

Do yourself a favor and read "It's Being Done: Academic
Success in Unexpected Schools," by Karin Chenoweth. Or any
Effective Schools literature. The bottom line that you'll
see fleshed out in that literature is that ALL kids, from
ANY socioeconomic or racial background, can succeed in a
school which has ACTUAL HIGH EXPECATIONS OF ACADEMIC AND
BEHAVIORAL SUCCESS, and comes at those from the standpoint
of MUTUAL RESPECT.

Also, I would suggest you consider my TOME on Humanistic
Discipline, or any other Love & Logic/humanistic approach to
the subject. It sounds like you've tried all the
behaviorally based dehumanizing approaches (rewards and
punishments), but you/your school haven't treated these kids
like human beings yet.

Seriously, do the research. Go to a KIPP school. Google
Effective Schools. Read "It's Being Done..." Have you
watched "To Sir with Love" recently? How about "The Ron
Clark Story," the real-life case of the inner city middle
school teacher played by Matthew Perry? "Dangerous
Minds"? "Stand and Deliver"?

Don't buy into the belief that poor students of color can't
succeed behaviorally or academically!!!!!!

All my best,

Tom

On 6/23/08, not trying to cause controversy. wrote:
> I teach in a new private school that is 90% african
> american students. Most of these students come from a
> close by private school that is all african american
> including the teachers. Last year was my first year at
> this school and I quickly learned that the students would
> not listen to even simple direction given by me becuase I
> am white and I don't scream. (I tested this theory out by
> having another familiar teacher who is african american
> give instructions one day) I refuse to scream at children,
> I do not think it is appropriate for anyone to scream and
> yell at children. All the white teachers in my school had
> this problem. Where any teacher or personel who were
> african american instantly garnered respect, authority and
> was completely feared by the students. The students would
> not respond unless we either a) screamed or b) offered an
> immediate reward (aka candy). We tried everything. Card
> systems, positive reinforcements, taking recess away, and
> so many other things. The background on these children
> are that they come from an environment that is
> workbook/worksheet oriented and were told not to talk or
> do anything all day except thier worksheets. So imagine
> our surprise when the children had no social skills, could
> not work in groups, or recieve direct instruction without
> the classroom erupting in chaos, fighting, and behaviour
> problems. I am worried about starting another year with
> the upcomming group. The group comming to me is comming
> from the teacher next door. I heard her, another white
> teacher, scream at them all day all last year. It really
> bothered me so I approached her and asked her why she had
> to yell so much. She told me that the students wouldn't
> follow directives unless she was doing so. So I observed
> in her class one day and saw the same thing. She tried
> positive reinforcements and so on. She was right. It
> didn't work. Now that I am recieving her group this
> year.......I'm worried. I don't want to scream at kids
> all day. Its not right. I'm really not trying to cause a
> racial controversy here, but I think this might be
> something cultural and I am asking for some advice on how
> to deal with this. I don't want to spend next school year
> yelling or giving out candy.


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Posts on this thread, including this one


• Kids won't listen......, 6/23/08, by not trying to cause controversy..
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/23/08, by fair question.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/23/08, by Tom.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/23/08, by Kel/IL/2nd.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/23/08, by quick question.
• Re: Kids won't listen [Ideas = TOME], 6/23/08, by Tom.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/25/08, by Old Fashioned Discipline.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 6/26/08, by Viola Swamp.
• Re: Kids won't listen......, 7/14/08, by Kioni Carter.