On 11/05/09, Kathy wrote:
> I am truly at my wits end. I have a 5th grade class of 13
> boys and 6 girls. These 13 boys are good kids when you
> take them one at a time, but having them all in the same
> class is murder! They argue across the room, talk out
> loud, and finish their assignments in record time. I am
> constantly putting out fires.
> We can't have a class discussion without them getting so
> loud that I finally give up and just give them a written
> assignment. At the beginning of the year, I brought in
> microscopes to look at the "critters" in pond water. They
> almost took the roof off! I've not tried anything else of
> that nature since then. Which is really a shame as I love
> doing that sort of thing.
> I have 7 computers in my room, 4 of which I've bought. I
> mistakenly thought if I could keep them busy enough, I
> could somehow teach. I've bought books with games and
> puzzles in them, take it to your seat centers, and word
> sorts. Nothing keeps their attention for long.
> In this group I have 7 IEP's with five almost nonreaders.
> Several others are low, but not on an IEP. I have at least
> 4 on medication for ADD or ADHD. Several more who have
> been diagnosed but not treated. Two with anger management
> problems, one boy, one girl. BTW, ALL the boys hate this
> one girl and do anything they can to get a rise from her,
> which is not hard. She is either angry and yelling, or
> crying.
> 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.

Sounds like you need to develop a group dynamic in your
classroom.

Pull the class together and get them working together.
RESPONSE:

A group goal is good.

I used to get my class together to walk across campus.
Not sure what you age level is but I did this with high
schoolers. Of course I did not make a spectical of them
walking around campus, but we did it when we would walk to the
library, or to the cafeteria. If they all stayed in place and
walked neatly and appropriately then they earned a class
reward.

Another potential project is getting them to set in a
classroom and be quiet for a short period of time, once they
achieve this they earn a class reinforcer (if anyone talks out
then the timer starts all over). Inevitably you will have
some one who will wait 9 minutes and 30 seconds (if you are
doing a 10 minute time segment) and then talk out.) If that
happens the time starts over for the whole class. The trick
is the whole class needs to participate or no one receives the
reinforcer until the goal has been achieved. Of course you
should ultimately build in the project so it eventually can be
achieved. This sets a pattern of positive group behavior and
helps the class learn to think and function together to
achieve a goal.

Your imagination is the only limitation as to the
possiblilities with this and the potential as the class learns
to work together to accomplish goals. A very important key is
to your consistency to your expectations.

Try it. It will work.

Stephen Marion,8th Grade
Special Education Resource Teacher
Marion Middle School

> 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.

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