Discipline for substitutes

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Classroom Discipline Chatboard

Discipline for substitutes

by Rachel

Oct 9, 2011

Hi, I have been reading several of the posts on this board and have found them to be extremely helpful and thought- provoking. I am certified pre-K-8 teacher who will be a substitute in an Urban school district. I have actually subbed as an uncertified teacher in a more rural district and absolutely loved it, however the number of jobs openings are limited. So, I am headed for a larger district with more opportunities for beginning teachers. I also feel that I could make the most difference with the students.

Anyway, I am going to be with pre-K-8 for the most part, but I may do 9-12. Most of my experience has been pre-K-5. My biggest concern is classroom discipline, and how to handle the attention seekers and ring leaders. I look a bit younger than I am. And many see a sub as day off.

My plan is to exude a firm and respectful persona. I will stand at the door and greet students as they enter the room. I may also hand them a bell worksheet to begin working on, please a...See MoreHi, I have been reading several of the posts on this board and have found them to be extremely helpful and thought- provoking. I am certified pre-K-8 teacher who will be a substitute in an Urban school district. I have actually subbed as an uncertified teacher in a more rural district and absolutely loved it, however the number of jobs openings are limited. So, I am headed for a larger district with more opportunities for beginning teachers. I also feel that I could make the most difference with the students.

Anyway, I am going to be with pre-K-8 for the most part, but I may do 9-12. Most of my experience has been pre-K-5. My biggest concern is classroom discipline, and how to handle the attention seekers and ring leaders. I look a bit younger than I am. And many see a sub as day off.

My plan is to exude a firm and respectful persona. I will stand at the door and greet students as they enter the room. I may also hand them a bell worksheet to begin working on, please and thank you. The AGENDA will be written on the board with two colors of chalk for every other line. Since I was told that some of the classess are 90 minutes long, a break time will be listed. Also, I was thinking of listing at the very end, Homework (they can get a head start on their homework) OR maybe "talk pass", a ticket they may take when they have completed the assignments. They would have to be respectful of neighbors who were still working. What do you think about this? Would it work for HS students? Would I be opening pandoras box? Or if they all completed early, go over homework together or play a quiet game? I used the game for elementary and it worked well, but haven't used for 6th grade and up.

After they complete the bell work, I explain how I would like them to pass it in to me. Then I do my intro and spiel. I review the classroom teacher's rules and expectations and I tell the classroom my own rules while I am their teacher today. They are 1)Be responsible for yourself 2)Be kind to others. I also tell them a little about myself and my interests. I tell them that I am a "real" certified teacher and that I am qualified to teach them, so they can relax because they are in good hands, and I will make sure that they have a productive learning day. I may also inject some humor by mentioning how relieved they must be to hear that.

I realize that I may not have a lot of time to establish a rapport with them, but I do think that it is possible. Any advice on how to earn the rapport and respect of my students in such a short time would be greatly appreciated.

As for breaking rules, consequences, I was told to follow the plan that the regular teacher has in place, but if there is none, or I am unable to locate, I would like to have a plan B. For repeat offender I really like the idea of writing a positive and affirming statement, paragraph. This would remove the problem temporarily and give them time to regroup. And since it would be positive statement, they wouldn't be on defensive? Thoughts? Ages?

I really don't want to resort to sending to office. I have heard of subsitutes being banned for sending to office. but of course, if I feel that I am in a situation I cannot control, I will absolutely call for help.

Thank you for any opinions or ideas.

Rachel

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(2)

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Long term HS Sub On 10/09/11, Rachel wrote:

Adding your own rules puts the hair up on their backs - just a heads up. It suggests that their teacher's rules aren't good enough. Also beware that in these times in which we live, you're a stranger. Subbing is extra hard now that we've taught children to be wary of strangers. Be careful not to appear heavy-han...See MoreOn 10/09/11, Rachel wrote:

Adding your own rules puts the hair up on their backs - just a heads up. It suggests that their teacher's rules aren't good enough. Also beware that in these times in which we live, you're a stranger. Subbing is extra hard now that we've taught children to be wary of strangers. Be careful not to appear heavy-handed - high schoolers take a dim view of it and see you as treading too heavily on borrowed authority.

Some students see a sub as a day off - others just dread subs. There's a difference - don't lump them all together. Make sure the bell worksheet you hand them is the teacher's or they'll say "Ms. Smith doesn't give bell work." Then you'll say, "It's my bell work, not Ms.Smith's." And with that you've dissed their teacher without intending to and came off as heavy-handed.

Never give a 'talk pass' to high schoolers.Never discuss your qualifications with them - they don't care at all and it will look ... as if you're trying to impress them and that's a sure sign of weakness. These are not things that will build a rapport.

Don't worry about Plan B - follow the plan given. I want to say this kindly and gently but it's clear that you do have a great deal of experience in the younger grades.

For high school, I'd recommend a pleasantly brisk manner and always have the teacher's lesson plan in your hands so they can see it. Get the job done, keep everyone safe, ignore minor disruptions, don't go over your qualifications or try to make jokes. Many of them dread subs precisely because the subs come in with a chip on their shoulder or wearing their ego needs on their sleeves.

>

> > > > After they complete the bell work, I explain how I would > like them to pass it in to me. Then I do my intro and > spiel. I review the classroom teacher's rules and > expectations and I tell the classroom my own rules while I > am their teacher today. They are 1)Be responsible for > yourself 2)Be kind to others. I also tell them a little > about myself and my interests. I tell them that I am > a "real" certified teacher and that I am qualified to teach > them, so they can relax because they are in good hands, and > I will make sure that they have a productive learning day. > I may also inject some humor by mentioning how relieved > they must be to hear that. > > I realize that I may not have a lot of time to establish a > rapport with them, but I do think that it is possible. Any > advice on how to earn the rapport and respect of my > students in such a short time would be greatly appreciated. > > As for breaking rules, consequences, I was told to follow > the plan that the regular teacher has in place, but if > there is none, or I am unable to locate, I would like to > have a plan B. For repeat offender I really like the idea > of writing a positive and affirming statement, paragraph. > This would remove the problem temporarily and give them > time to regroup. And since it would be positive statement, > they wouldn't be on defensive? Thoughts? Ages? > > I really don't want to resort to sending to office. I have > heard of subsitutes being banned for sending to office. but > of course, if I feel that I am in a situation I cannot > control, I will absolutely call for help. > > Thank you for any opinions or ideas. > > Rachel

Oct 10, 2011

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Michael This always worked when I was a sub:

I have Mrs. X's plan here. We will work through it. Depending on how well you work determines your free time at the end of class. Sound good?

Mrs. X has also instructed me to take names of any student who chooses to disrupt the learning of other students. Please begin...

On 10/10/11...See MoreThis always worked when I was a sub:

I have Mrs. X's plan here. We will work through it. Depending on how well you work determines your free time at the end of class. Sound good?

Mrs. X has also instructed me to take names of any student who chooses to disrupt the learning of other students. Please begin...

On 10/10/11, Long term HS Sub wrote: > On 10/09/11, Rachel wrote: > > Adding your own rules puts the hair up on their backs - just a > heads up. It suggests that their teacher's rules aren't good > enough. Also beware that in these times in which we live, > you're a stranger. Subbing is extra hard now that we've taught > children to be wary of strangers. Be careful not to appear > heavy-handed - high schoolers take a dim view of it and see you > as treading too heavily on borrowed authority. > > Some students see a sub as a day off - others just dread subs. > There's a difference - don't lump them all together. Make sure > the bell worksheet you hand them is the teacher's or they'll > say "Ms. Smith doesn't give bell work." Then you'll say, "It's > my bell work, not Ms.Smith's." And with that you've dissed > their teacher without intending to and came off as heavy-handed. > > Never give a 'talk pass' to high schoolers.Never discuss your > qualifications with them - they don't care at all and it will > look ... as if you're trying to impress them and that's a sure > sign of weakness. These are not things that will build a rapport. > > Don't worry about Plan B - follow the plan given. I want to say > this kindly and gently but it's clear that you do have a great > deal of experience in the younger grades. > > For high school, I'd recommend a pleasantly brisk manner and > always have the teacher's lesson plan in your hands so they can > see it. Get the job done, keep everyone safe, ignore minor > disruptions, don't go over your qualifications or try to make > jokes. Many of them dread subs precisely because the subs come > in with a chip on their shoulder or wearing their ego needs on > their sleeves. > > > > > > > >> > >> >> >> >> After they complete the bell work, I explain how I would >> like them to pass it in to me. Then I do my intro and >> spiel. I review the classroom teacher's rules and >> expectations and I tell the classroom my own rules while I >> am their teacher today. They are 1)Be responsible for >> yourself 2)Be kind to others. I also tell them a little >> about myself and my interests. I tell them that I am >> a "real" certified teacher and that I am qualified to teach >> them, so they can relax because they are in good hands, and >> I will make sure that they have a productive learning day. >> I may also inject some humor by mentioning how relieved >> they must be to hear that. >> >> I realize that I may not have a lot of time to establish a >> rapport with them, but I do think that it is possible. Any >> advice on how to earn the rapport and respect of my >> students in such a short time would be greatly appreciated. >> >> As for breaking rules, consequences, I was told to follow >> the plan that the regular teacher has in place, but if >> there is none, or I am unable to locate, I would like to >> have a plan B. For repeat offender I really like the idea >> of writing a positive and affirming statement, paragraph. >> This would remove the problem temporarily and give them >> time to regroup. And since it would be positive statement, >> they wouldn't be on defensive? Thoughts? Ages? >> >> I really don't want to resort to sending to office. I have >> heard of subsitutes being banned for sending to office. but >> of course, if I feel that I am in a situation I cannot >> control, I will absolutely call for help. >> >> Thank you for any opinions or ideas. >> >> Rachel

Oct 12, 2011

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