Classroom Discipline

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Classroom Discipline Chatboard

Classroom Discipline

by Melissa

Jan 7, 2011

I am in a substitute position that is turning out to be a long term position (not sure when the teacher is getting back, find out week by week). I found out today my students are trying to push me to see how far I will let them go. When I started in this class 4 weeks ago, they were great. Today they won't listen when I talk, the disrupt me, and are always moving around. I have tried many things (rewarding good behavior in class, talking with students individually, etc) and nothing is working. There is a specific group of them that are talking right back at me. My main problem is I am not able to send notes home or make phone calls home to parents about this. I have tried heads down, keeping them in for recess (which they like), taking away free time, etc but they won't quiet down or listen to me. I want help with this because I don't want the other students who are trying to learn to be affected by this behavior. Any ideas or suggestions will help.

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UrbanTeacher On 1/07/11, Melissa wrote: > I am in a substitute position that is turning out to be a > long term position (not sure when the teacher is getting > back, find out week by week). I found out today my students > are trying to push me to see how far I will let them go. > When I started in this class 4 weeks ago, they were great. > To...See MoreOn 1/07/11, Melissa wrote: > I am in a substitute position that is turning out to be a > long term position (not sure when the teacher is getting > back, find out week by week). I found out today my students > are trying to push me to see how far I will let them go. > When I started in this class 4 weeks ago, they were great. > Today they won't listen when I talk, the disrupt me, and are > always moving around. I have tried many things (rewarding > good behavior in class, talking with students individually, > etc) and nothing is working. There is a specific group of > them that are talking right back at me. My main problem is > I am not able to send notes home or make phone calls home to > parents about this. I have tried heads down, keeping them > in for recess (which they like), taking away free time, etc > but they won't quiet down or listen to me. I want help with > this because I don't want the other students who are trying > to learn to be affected by this behavior. Any ideas or > suggestions will help.

What is the administration like in your school? I have a supportive administration, which seems sadly rare, so my advice is contingent on having some sort of support structure in place that takes discipline seriously and consistently sides with the teachers.

The first thing I would do is go to the P or an AP (depending on structure) and advise them that I have a few troublemakers in class; tell them since it's turning out to be a long-term assignment, you need some advice on how to handle said troublemakers. Ask if the parents can be contacted before the troublemakers turn into firestarters.

I am a high school teacher, so I am oblivious to the structure of the younger grades. If I have a troublemaker throwing off the class, I send them to another classroom to work. If problems continue, detentions and eventually referrals are written and conferences are scheduled.

It sounds as though these kids don't take you seriously because they're figuring out that you have limited power over them. They are testing boundaries, and finding the fence has a hole in it. Unfortunately, I don't know how to mend that fence without involving the administration.

Jan 7, 2011

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Leah There are a few articles that may be helpful:

"Elementary Classroom Rules and Management" and "25 Ways to Obtain Children's Attention in a School Setting."

Just click below and on the title of your choice

Jan 8, 2011

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Ed Hey there - would you mind sharing what grade, and bit more about the kinds of specific behaviors that are going on? Also, what time of day does the behavior start? If you're still checking the forum, it would be helpful to ask you a few questions to get a better sense of what's going on. Thanks! Ed.

Jan 10, 2011

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