How do I deal with the bad students the last 29 days of school?
You’re probably not the only teacher who thinks this. When I had a badly behaved class the principal was very helpful. If a student was getting in the way of instruction I’d send him to the principal’s office. If he was especially bad the principal would give him a punishment I personally didn’t have the authority to give. Once he took away a student’s privilege to attend the end-of-year pool party, the planning of which I was not a part. Incentives for being good help, too, like that pool party. That way if they’re bad you simply take it away. Calling parents may or may not help, it depends on the parents. I found many to be enemies of the teacher or indifferent, but some students you know their parents are on your side. Here’s a trick: memorize (or create a cheat sheet) the phone numbers of the parents of a couple of the worst offenders. When these kids are being bad, don’t say anything, just write that phone number on the board (if you’re using a cheat sheet don’t let them see it).
i am in the same situation…i have been teaching for 14 yrs. and this is as bad as i have seen it, not only with the kids but their parents as well…a few things that have worked: 1. individual vs group goals: “your negative behavior is going to prevent the whole class from going to recess” or “if less than 90% of the class turns in the hw this week then we are not going on the field trip” 2. down time: most of my kids do not belong in a traditional class room setting, they are completely burned out by now between test prep, the actual tests and the “extended time” many of them are mandated to stay…try to guide them to do things they are interested in…we are studying the history of video games and game systems…come up with some independent projects that still incorporate the curriculum/skills you are responsible for… 3. keep the lights off: sounds stupid but works miracles… 4. get them out of the building: if your school is anything like mine the weather has hit 60 but the
The bad part is you probably can’t do anything. First off, and I’m sorry to say this, it sounds like you’ve had this problem before. This didn’t just “pop up”. The problem is this: They don’t think you can anything. My suggestion: Call the Parents. Get the phone numbers and call. Do your homework. You know what parents show up to PTC’s and what one’s don’t. You can’t take anything they say personal. YOu need to call and lay it out there. Whatever you do, DON”T TELL THE STUDENTS. This will give them time to lay some “ground work”. Let them dance with their parents after your phone call. You really don’t want the principal sitting in your classroom because that shows you don’t have any classroom management and really puts you in a bad light. You might talk to the principal and get some suggestions. Another idea: Quizzes. Daily Quizzes that count. Also: check their permanent records. See who is in “trouble”. You can use that as a “wedge”. Simple as that.
