All About Teaching >> Classroom Management >> need to get handle on crazy class
need to get handle on crazy class
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Posted 7 months ago We have 29 days left of school - technically. And my students are becoming more and more rude, disruptive and disrespectful. I run a strict classroom (7th grade English) but the things our school does to back us up is fruitless. We issue school detentions or assign a day in Responsibility Center/ISS ; I call apathetic parents who are at a loss too. It's going to be worse before it improves but I don't want that. I have a few failures and I've gone through all the interventions - but they don't care. I just don't know what else to do. You know it's bad when this middle to upper class school has a fight now every day planned afterschool. Girls are planning who to fight like a jr. high fight club thing. And principals are just now giving tickets for fighting. But the behavior is set. Any ideas to help me before I lose my mind? |
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| Posted 7 months ago When discipline doesn't work, creativity is a good way to go. Try this... Write this on the board...before they come in. 8549176320 Ask 'em why the numbers are in that order. See if they will bother to get the correct answer. This might even lead to a discussion of proper order...or any other kind of rule (of English, not discipline) you might want to teach. If it works, try something else like it again the next day. [Incidentally, the numbers are in alphabetical order...eight, five, four, nine, one, seven, six, three, two, zero.]
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| Posted 7 months ago with my math class I will be doing alot of group work, while moving them on to the next years math book so they can get a grasp of the information before hand. I know they will lose it over the summer, but it should be filed away somewhere in their little heads. I love seventh grade don't you? |
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| Posted 7 months ago It might be wise to pick your battles. I hate gum chewing, but I choose not to fight that battle. |
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| Posted 7 months ago I agree there pick your battles if you know you it will be a loose loose stituation don't do it. If it will be a win win situation then do it. |
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| Posted 7 months ago I have a similar situation...it will be a long 29 days. Last week the kids starting throwing water bottles up in between passing periods, then its confetti eggs, recently raw eggs...a friend of mine worked on a bulletin board in the hallway and I taped that sucker up there so the kids couldn't write on it or tear it up and a student today threw black paint or ink in the hallway staining kids clothes, the carpet, wall, our bulletin board... I try to stay out of the hallways. Lately ever day I am just in disbelief at some of the students' behavior. Our administration is useless. |
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| Posted 7 months ago courtney_leone says ...
If ALL the teachers were in the hall, it might cut down on the mischief. We are required to be outside our doors between classes and it really does seem to work. |
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| Posted 7 months ago taternutz says ...
We're out there...it usually happens near the end of the day in a crowded hallway where we can't tell who threw the raw egg :) Good news...less than 30 days! |
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| Posted 7 months ago Where do you teach? At least what state? Our admin makes us stay in hall too - but it's a damned if youdo damned if you don't. while i am in hall - goofiness can happen in classroom. Even if I have bellwork on board. |
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| Posted 7 months ago we have 21 more days, before I go back to school (I love summer), we had a fight today. It happened during a school "dance"(how they can call it a dance in the middle of the day is beyond me). These last days when kids think school should be out already are crazy indeed. |
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| Posted 6 months ago I had a similar problem. A few years ago I began letting the students teach lessons at this time of year. You wouldn't believe how well it works. I have them sign up in groups of 2. They can teach a review lesson, or choose another math topic approved by me. They have to research it and come up with a plan for teaching it. I review it and okay it. They are responsible for grading the worksheets and everything. Of course I supervise and make copies. I have also stepped in when needed. You would be surprised at how much more attention the students will give to each other than they will to me! |
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| Posted 6 months ago Here in Belfast, our end of school madness is even worse - because of the traditions and culture of the 11th July, the children are consumed with 'Bonfire Season'. They are outside collecting wood until late at night, then they 'guard' the bonfire all night incase someone from another community steals their wood. This involves children aged from 6 - adult. It's quite hard to paint a picture for you to describe what this is like (maybe you've seen it on the news?) The children arrive to school like wild animals - tired, dirty, over-excited. This makes teaching & learning very challenging during those last few weeks of term (we finish for summer at the end of June). So what do I do about it? Well, there's no 'size-fits-all' formula - some strategies work one day but not the next. I arm myself with as many creative, motivating and engaging activities as possible. I also make sure the children have healthy snacks to eat and arrange some time for relaxation exercises. As I write, I'm preparing for my most disruptive time of the year - but I'm trying to just do my best, be as prepared as I can be and scheldule plenty of treats for myself!!! Good luck everyone. |
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| Posted 4 months ago I think Nichola has the right idea, just look at that smile! I just dropped in to see if the kids took any of you "out", or are you weathering the end-of-year storm? Every one okay out there? Still breathing? No blood? Come on back and check-in! ~grinnin' debo |
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| Posted 4 months ago Account Removed says ...
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| Posted 4 months ago Dear dhastings,
: . . . Probably tired of answering the same questions the same way." I doubt that;s the reason - or at least the only reason. I mean, teachers do a lot of that - answering the same questions in the same (or slightly different) ways. |
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| Posted 4 months ago You mean Joel is just "poof!" ~ gone? Didn't say "ta-ta" or anything?
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| Posted 4 months ago Dear debo, Based on past experience, I'd say Joel just comes and goes (mostly goes) as the spirit moves him. Deven's pretty much abandoned TheApple as well; now he's all over Twitter. |
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| Posted 4 months ago Hey John, Yes, Deven told me he was moving in another direction...but he stops by from-time-to-time....and I can reach him if I need...he's mad about blogging these days. I haven't returned to my blog since I first started it....my thoughts are all over the place...lots going on in my world. But, whew, Joel simply removing himself...that could happen with any one of us.....one day I could show up here, and you might be gone! Dang, John...do I have your e-mail addy? Do you have mine? Don't leave without saying good-bye, okay? EVERYONE: Please, all our conversational friendships mean something to me...so if any of us are leaving please, at least, let the others know....okay?
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| Posted 4 months ago Dear debo, I feel the same way! Mateja |
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| Posted 4 months ago MATEJASMOLAR says ...
Yeah-Mateja-Yeah....hooty-Hoo-Hooty-Hoot...at least you and I are e-mail buds....so, even if one of us goes away for a while, we still know where to find each other.... I'm also well connected with Annie, she and I FaceBook one another...but, some of the others here, some that make me smile and really think about "schtuff" ... I value these "distant" friendships. ttfn, ~debo |
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| Posted 4 months ago I haven't been on as much as before but I still love the converations, and i am on facebook if you need me too. |
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| Posted 4 months ago Mr. Crisp, Yep, you and I are FaceBook pals...besides, you wouldn't just "remove" yourself without even posting a "Bye, see ya later..." note ~ would you? I may have to track down Joel and tweek his nose! Though....evidently he did not feel as connected here as I have...could be his busy life is full-enough without this site. My life is busy. My friends 'n' family are full and bustling. Still, I seek out intelligent conversation and intellectual pursuits here, because I find this sort of feedback scarce in my regular circle of friends. It may be that he does not need (hunger for) this type of connection as much as I... so he values it differently. I can accept that. Still, I wish he'd said "ta-ta" or something! |
