Today we watched Grammar Rock and it got fairly annoying after a little while. My teacher told me that some of the boys are testing me trying to see how much joking around I'll let them get away with. I need to keep an eye on them but I don't want to lose their respect.
Tuesday 8-31:
Two boys in our first period were intentionally ignoring their writing assessment. How can you deal with kids like that? One of our other classes finished with the pre-test with too much time at the end. We didn't plan anything else because the test should have taken them most of the period. My teacher told them that she was worried because they probably didn't get good scores. In the next class, we emphasized the "extended constructed response" direction and the students spent forty minutes on the test. The boys keep joking, we'll see if I can calm them down.
Wednesday 9-1:
My third period felt really good. It was fast paced and the students were into the lesson. Fourth period was not the same. It's the same boys and not only do they take over the class, but they were also joking a little too much. Afterwords my teacher reminded me of the yellow warning slips. I want their respect in the fact that they like me and will listen to me. We had a lot of meetings today and one about RTI. We were the only complete team there and I'm not sure if we got much accomplished.
Thursday 9-2:
Today we had browsing day in the IMC and I was able to connect with some of the boys on a personal level. I also brought up the "yellow cards" and said that I'd use them if I had to. I got compliance. We played a game for spelling review and I hope they studied.
Friday 9-3:
We took out first spelling test and the sub for the resource teacher stood up in the middle of the test and told the kids a piece of information that was the opposite of what we had told them previously. My teacher explained that in the kindest way possible and the test resumed. I told her after that she handled the situation in the best possible way. Some of the kids with behavioral issues will tear her apart, so we are going to bribe them with treats to see if they can behave for the day.
They did behave, but didn't do their work. Since they never do their work I consider that a victory.
In reference to the boys who take over your class and joke around too much. When you ask a question or prompt discussion I just say I would like to hear from someone I haven't heard yet from please. It usually works. :)
ReplyDeleteMr. C,
ReplyDeleteI'm in the same boat with regard to those boys who are testing you. You don't want to just lay the smack down, because the students and their feelings are not necessarily respected. And who's going to respect someone from whom they don't receive respect? I was taking a softer approach at it, but I need to start being more strict, now that I've established a respectful relationship. My teacher gave me a list of suggestions, like extinction, waiting until everyone stops talking to begin talking, etc. How did the yellow card thing work?
About the kids who never do their work: my teacher told me to use physical proximity, and it's worked fairly well. If they aren't working, I stand right beside them and stare at their papers. If that doesn't get them, usually I'll ask them why they're not working, and they usually won't have an answer and will get to it. Maybe you've tried that already and it doesn't work with your kids, in which case, good luck? :)
Have a good week, Mr. Clark.
I really enjoy getting the opportunity to connect with the students on a more personal level. I did that at the football game with the high schoolers on Friday. There were a few girls who actually didn't know what to call me at that point. So hopefully they will spread it around the band to call me "Ms. Dunn." Getting the chance to talk to them when you're not in front of them being in charge is totally different. It's also good to be able to turn it around and still be in charge at the same time. Trying to work out that balance is tricky, but when we find it, it'll be awesome.
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