Why does my class act out when there is a substitute teacher

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Classroom Management Chatboard

Why does my class act out when there is a substitute teacher

by ek

Mar 20, 2011

I teach a class that requires me to take several field trips throughout the school year. This means that I leave my other classes in the care of a sub. I always leave adequate work for the class and thorough instructions for the covering teacher. I have a large biology class of 3 students who at times can be a bit too much to handle. As their teacher I feel respected and do not have to discipline students very often because of disrespectful behavior. Recently I was on a trip and the covering teacher told me that the class was unbelievably rude and disrespectful. This isn't the first time this has happened. I've addressed the class about this before. Why does this keep happening? Does anyone have suggestions? Does this happen to you? Thanks!

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Zodea What do you do to those kids when you get back? What is the consequence for their behavior?

Since these are planned absences I would tell the kids that any complaints from any teacher (sub or the one next door) will result in detentions. I would also have the culprits sit down and write a letter of apology to the substitute and possibly th...See More

Mar 20, 2011

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Sara On 3/20/11, ek wrote:

When you ask them why this happens, what do they say? I think they'd be the better source of information on this - particularly as you have a good relationship with them.

But from my experience when my class gives a sub a rough time - it's never the class and it's usually a very few. It's in fact usually jus...See MoreOn 3/20/11, ek wrote:

When you ask them why this happens, what do they say? I think they'd be the better source of information on this - particularly as you have a good relationship with them.

But from my experience when my class gives a sub a rough time - it's never the class and it's usually a very few. It's in fact usually just one and that's the touchiest kid in the room and the sub comes in too heavy-handed. The touchy kid is already nervous because without me the touchy kid can't hold it together - he (it's often a he) and I have worked together for a while, we understand each other, he's comfortable in the room and knows he's 'touchy' but he can hold it together because we've worked it out - he's allowed to be a bit of himself in my room but not over the edge. I don't mind that he's touchy, we have a comfortable working relationship and he looks forward to my class and then - I'm not there. (though I Always tell me classes I'm going to be out when I know in advance)

He can't help himself - it's in his genes or something - his personality comes out immediately. It can even be in his reaction to seeing the sub - though I've told them I will be out and may have even said something to this one student in particular as in "John, keep a grip on yourself tomorrow. Do not battle with the sub."

But he eyeballs the sub and with surprise - or dismay - just because it is a sub (he's had run ins with subs since he was in K...) and he's discomfited. His needs will not be met that day - it's very difficult for any sub to be kid-skilled enough to manage "John". Subs tend to have a bit of a chip their shoulder from the get-go.

The sub calls out names for attendance and calls out "John Smith" and he doesn't answer or he answers "Present" when every other kid said "Here" and so distinguishes himself to the sub in that way. The sub doesn't smile at the "Present" and that upsets John - it shouldn't but it does because John's touchy.

It's downhill from there. The sub can and over does overreact - that divides the class between those who absolutely hate John to begin with - they're on the sub's side - and those who think the sub overreacted and shouldn't - they're not on John's side but they're not on the sub's side either. The community of the classroom that I've worked since Day 1 to build has been shattered and in the first five minutes of class.

Then rather than try to keep things moving with a pleasant briksness, no fights, no egos the sub starts blustering - with a wounded ego to boot and blustering is no way to manage any class or John.

I guess what I'm saying is - classroom management is a delicate thing and the dynamics of a class require more than our best lesson plans left behind. It's yet one more reason why I try to leave an interesting video to watch.

PS - sometimes our classes actually like our teaching style - they can miss us when we're gone and that goes into the mix as well. Subbed classrooms can be a bundle of mixed feelings.

> I teach a class that requires me to take several field > trips throughout the school year. This means that I leave > my other classes in the care of a sub. I always leave > adequate work for the class and thorough instructions for > the covering teacher. I have a large biology class of 3 > students who at times can be a bit too much to handle. As > their teacher I feel respected and do not have to > discipline students very often because of disrespectful > behavior. Recently I was on a trip and the covering > teacher told me that the class was unbelievably rude and > disrespectful. This isn't the first time this has > happened. I've addressed the class about this before. Why > does this keep happening? Does anyone have suggestions? > Does this happen to you? > Thanks!

Mar 20, 2011

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marjoryt I used to sub quite frequently, but mostly for the same set of teachers. The principals preferred this, simply because the students grew used to me and how I ran the class. The teachers could request specific subs, which also helped.

In a new classroom or school, I would ask the principal or assistant to stop by to see how I was doing. If...See More

Mar 23, 2011

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