> I would think it is just me, but all special teachers (art,
> music, PE, computer lab, reading specialists) have problems
> with them too.
> If any one can give me some direction, I'd appreciate it.
> This is my 21st year, so I do have some experience under my
> belt, but none of the tricks I pull out work for more than
> a couple of days.
> Please, I'm begging. My health and job are at stake.

Wow. What a challenge.

First rule for yourself is to remain calm and assertive at all
times. Take you bias away completely. No anger, condescension
or emotion. You need to disappear for this to be effective.
If you have bias then the student will stand against you and
ignore you.

Second, create contest and be very specific. When you want
something to change, ask and then create reasons why. Answer
the question, "What's in if for me." Think as the other should
be thinking.

I can only say what I would do. It sounds like you may need to
develop rules of conversation. After you do what I said above,
I would take a step back form the content of the class for a
few days an practice one thing at a time. First up would be
conversation.

The rules below are not for the students. They are for you.
Don't tell them the rules. Use you actions to tell them the
rules and always ask for what you want without bias.

Rule one is that you speak and nobody else does without raising
a hand. Remember not to say it that way. Ask. Don't tell
them. Ask, it's important. Treat them as you would your
pastor. Get a topic to talk about that is fun and practice
this for some time. If someone speaks out, redirect to a
raised hand. You will need to redirect many times. Don't get
mad or angry, just keep with it and remind them of the rule.
This rule is for you so don't break it by giving in even once.
Calm and assertive.

Rule two is to make eye contact. Direct students to make eye
contact with you always. Demand it and redirect anytime you
see anyone looking anywhere else. Make sure you have something
interesting to say to keep their attention. If they are
working on something themselves, the rule is that they do not
talk and they work and stay to themselves. You must be there
to scan the room and move around all the time. Don't sit at
your desk and look at email. That won't work and you will be
right back where you started.

Rule three is for you as well. Use silence and don't say
anything. Look at them as they look at you. Scan the room
occasionally and make sure they are doing rule one and two as
you pause for a moment of silence (5 seconds).

Rule four: Constantly create context when there is a problem.
Ask, positive, negative, positive. "Please make sure you make
eye contact with me. This will ensure that you are paying
attention and get the most from the class. If you choose to
look away then you take the chance on receiving a consequence.
If you look at my rugged good looks (humor is good) then
everyone will be happy and the class will be very interesting."
This is generic but you get the point.

Use these four rules when you teach and make the four rules
your goal and not the lesson. Focus on these as your own rules.

Let me know how this works if you choose to try it. Talk to me
one week later and I bet the class will be behaving. Just
don't use anger or bias in any way. Smile on your face and be
the one in charge, despite what they do. You already know that
the class is made up of some difficult cases so accept that
part. Deal with them where they are each day and make one
improvement at a time, mostly in your routines. I've said this
many times. No problem you face in the classroom is so band
that it cannot be solved by simply changing your approach.

On the topic of the girl that gets picked on. You should
report that every time to the principal and parents and
document everything. It's bullying and should not be tolerated
ever. Notice it each time and send it to the principal and
parents. That's due process and saves you trouble in the end.
If it happens once on your watch then it's understandable. If
it happens often then it's an issue with your supervision of
the classroom. That's not easy to hear but it's the teachers
job to stop it cold, every time it happens.

Steve

Superior Education

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