Sorry this is so terribly long - I need help with one of my classes and have no clue what went wrong and how to bring it back!!! If you don't get a chance to read all of it, that's ok...I suppose it's more of a vent anyways... I teach 5 classes: 2 Algebra, 3 Geometry. One of those Algebra classes are a block class that meets every other day; one of my Geometry classes is a block that meets on the opposite days. I feel as though I am doing well in all of my classes but one. I teach highschoolers, so I'm not overly strict with them (after all, they're almost adults), but I also keep the class orderly and on-task. I emphasize mutual respect. I can smile and be friendly, but I can also be stern with the situation calls for it. HOWEVER, my one Algebra block is a totally different story. Somehow I feel like a total failure there. I don't know what went wrong with them that didn't go wrong in all my other classes. There are several of the more disruptive students in this class, but I can't seem to contain/isolate them as well as I've managed in other classes. I've put a seating chart in place to separate particular students. I try to include everyone in lessons and make all of them feel as though they are a valuable part of the class and don't need to act out for attention. I've stated my expectations for mutual respect and mature classroom behavior. There are several students in the class who honestly want to learn, but I feel like they are being cheated by the other ones who constantly disrupt class. These students "banter" with each other across the room, so that I cannot continue teaching unless I stop this behavior. We don't have detention, so I can't really assign it as a punishment. Often, I will stop, let the class know that I will continue teaching when everyone is paying attention, and that they are only wasting their time and they they will still be responsible for the material on their homework/quiz/test. This usually works...for about 5 minutes until a students says something and then another student will tell him to shut up and it starts all over again... I haven't lost my temper or anything, but I have raised my voice several times, and I constantly have to try my hardest not to let emotion/anger come out in my voice. But I feel it. I have a little comment box that I let students drop notes in. I have this so students can have a way of telling me things that I don't get a chance in class to discuss with them, i.e. that they can't see in the back of the room, that they get confused when I explain things this way, that someone I'm not noticing is being distractive to them, etc. I've also used it as a tool for random questions they try to distract me with during class - I tell them to feel out a comment form. I really like the comment box and I get all types of interesting and random notes. Occasionally, I've gotten a few nice ones, saying they like my class or that I'm their only teacher that smilies, or that I'm making math more fun and interesting, etc. From all my classes BUT this one Algebra class, of course... I've been getting notes from this class critiquing how I do things, telling me that I need to control the class, that they aren't little kids and that I should treat them as adults and they'd behave better. I know I shouldn't take this personally, but I am - I don't understand what's gone wrong with this one class!! I began treating them as adults, and they didn't seem capable of handling it, which is why we are where we are now. I tried something new today. When they came into class, I presented them with a letter describing the two options they could choose. They could either choose to respectfully participate in class and quietly take a seat near me at the front of the room, or if they did not want to participate in class, they could sit in the back, and to show me that they were better off learning on their own, must complete the homework/classwork we were learning on their own and had to turn it into me by the end of the day - they could not turn it in tomorrow. I also requested that no matter which option they choose, that I expected the class to still remain quiet and orderly. I presented some "character essay assignments" that I would assign if they could not respect class time and became disruptive. These are handouts that must be copied by hand, talking about how we have such limited class time and why they should use their time wisely, etc. The class was fine at first, but of course someone pushed the line and I had to hand out an assignment. At first, the student flat out refused to copy it, but I said that if they refused to complete the assignment (this was written in the letter I handed them when they walked in), I would be contacting their parents, they would receive a 0 quiz grade and I would write up a behavior referral form. when I pointed this out the student just got up and left class. Later, the principal came into the room, said the student had come into the office and asked what assignment I had given him. I handed the slip to the principal and he said he'd have him complete it in the office (I was so scared that he was going to tell me I couldn't have him write it at first!). He eventually came back to class and I only had to give out one other essay. I just looked at my comments box and I had some comments from this class again. One comment said that while they respected me, that I had no clue how to control a class and that I needed to stop treating them like little kids with my "character essays" and that they'd act better and like adults if I did so. This comment made me quite upset. First off, while I fully expected criticism from having the comment box, I am tired of hearing it from this class - especially about controlling the class! I've tried to treat them as adults. I tried to let them make up their own mind about whether or not they were going to choose to respectfully participate...I really don't know what else to do. Do I get stricter?? Or do I ease off on things?? Why are my other classes like this?? It is an Algebra class and most, but not all, of the students are freshmen. The non-freshman are those who've failed and are taking it again. If my whole class were low, then I could alter it as such. but I've got a handful of bright students, and I feel like they are being cheated if I cater to the low crowd. Today I also tried introducing a really basic "Class-Yes" type of thing to see if it could work to get their attention. While half the class seemed to be the type to think it was fun, and it would totally work for them, the other half thought it was a ridiculous concept and already started mocking it, saying "class" instead of answering "yes", or refusing to say anything, and claiming that it was like they were in kindergarten. Ahhhhhh! So I don't know what to do. Help/ideas/advice would be absolutely appreciated!
you have learned what? the suggestion box is giving you more grief or satisfaction? if you are not allowed to assign detention- what is the consequence your school does use? we have lunch detention- they HATE IT so they don't WANT IT I am so sorry you are having to deal with all this- My thoughts-a child is not self disciplined until he is able to be disciplined by other authority. Change the rule to one you like and stick with it til the end of the semester- the I don't know if I want to work/ etc rule had too many choices- I had to reread it 3 times and I am an adult...... have you read Discipline with Dignity? The method I remember using most for older kiddos was- EVERY TIME they were disrespectful or disobedient they stepped out in the hall with me-if you do any fussing in the room the may feel they should sass back "to save face"/ I would say I really want you to stay in class- I expect this xyz- are you willing to try? Quickly ask them to repeat back xyz remind them it is their choice and you really want them to stay- if they push you again- tell them they chose not to meet your expectations which you clearly drew out for them and they agreed to! (one on one in private) You have all you need to send the out of the room. What if they like it you say? It's up to the principal, the student, and the parents to motivate their hineys - you are not a song and dance man- It's Math class- not theatre arts...... hang in there Discipline with Dignity http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Classroom_Management_and_Discipline
My question is this: What is it that you are doing that makes them feel like they aren't being treated as adults (before you did the character essay)? Maybe you aren't targeting the right change in classroom management that they are waiting to see. Having said that, they are still the students and you are still the teacher. They very well may not be ready to handle being adults as well as they think they do. I do agree that Character essays seem a little too young for them.
Please forgive me if this sounds like criticism. But I think you've taken too many education classes. These 14 year olds are NOT adults. Adults don't have curfews. Adults don't have to ask mommy for a cookie before dinner. Adults can go to the mall whenever they want. Adults aren't sitting in a 9th grade algebra class acting like idiots. And what on earth is wrong in letting your emotion show?? I'm not suggesting an Atilla the Hun temper tantrum, but what's wrong with getting angry or disappointed? You're doing your best to teach, and these morons are preventing their peers from getting an education. Let them know you're unhappy. Their egos are pretty strong; they won't be shattered by the knowledge that they're wrong. My first move would be to remove the comment box. You know what's wrong with the class; anyone with something to say to you can say it to your face. Anonymous comments are for chickens; that box is an invitation for critism, not comments. Besides, it gives these adolescents the idea that they're on the same level as you. In fact, it places them above you, as your department chairman, in the position to critique your class. Next move: no one is permitted to opt out. They're in that class to learn Algebra, not to sit in the back. Letting them sit in the back is an open invitation for trouble. If they're going to act like children, treat them as such. Monday night get on the phone with every single mommy and daddy of every single kid who acts like a brat. Talk to others in your school about which consequences are OK, and go in armed with some ideas about what you can do. Monday morning, go in and announce that there will be a quiz each day on the work you plan to cover the preceding day. If it doesn't get covered, it's their problem. Then follow through, and be sure you cover something a bit tricky. But I disagree with the idea of sending them out of the room. Sending them to someone else (aside from big problems, like a fight) hands off your authority.It tells the kids that this problem is too big for you to handle and that you need help. I don't think that's the message you want to send.
I'm sorry you are dealing with this. Having the box is one thing, giving credibility to the comments that are in it is quite another. They are 14! Who cares what they think about how you manage the class? If you ever act on a suggestion that has to deal with managing the class and then say you made that change because of a comment in the box, you are going to have trouble. Those suggestions will keep coming. When they continue to banter after being told not to phone home.
After reading your post, I am thinking perhaps the problem lies in the delivery and severity of consequence. The day that you made a change, you stated the expectation and the student did not meet. You then followed through and he/she refused to complete the assignment. I would have then offered the student a choice. "You can either complete this assignment or 'X'." -a phone call home, behavior referral, complete the assignment in the principal's office. Instead of dumping 3 consequences for one offense, provide two choices.
Hi raney, I've read the other replies and I hate to sound like a broken record, but the first thing that stood out like a major red flag when I read your post was that you're wanting to treat these kids like adults. And they're not even close to earning that kind of respect. Heck, I know a lot of adults who don't act like adults. :lol: They're kids. They need a strict discipline plan and by "strict" I mean consistant. I agree with lemonhead too - get rid of the box. If you're wanting some feedback on lessons or whatnot, then do it at the end of class in a whole-group discussion. By feedback I mean ask them what activities they most enjoy in your classroom. Not what they thought of today's lesson in particular. You probably already have posted rules in your classroom. Do you have posted consequences? Do you follow through every time no matter how insignificant the problem is? I tell ya man.... I feel for you hs teachers. I student taught in 4th track freshman high school and it was a freakin' zoo. At the same time, in the back of my head I thought, "These kids are out of control but it's not their fault. The teachers let them get away with it." And as a piddly student teacher walking in at spring term, there wasn't too much I could do at that point to change behaviors in five different classrooms. But I remember thinking if I happened to get saddled with high school, the first thing on the agenda would be rules, rules, and more rules. And we would practice, practice, practice. They're not in charge. YOU are. Show them who's boss and quit taking their crap. Keep your cool - never yell or show any kind of emotion. They'll eat it up. Set rules, practice and model proper behavior in your classroom, mean business and follow-up. Great books to read for classroom management are Harry Wong's and Fred Jones. It's not too late to whip this class into shape and make things work for you. :thumb:
Thank you every for your replies so far. Please feel free to keep commenting. I rambled quite a bit in my first posting; thank you to everyone who managed to make it through. Sugar001 - I have not had a chance to read Discipline with Dignity, but I will look into it. Thanks for providing the link. I am hesitant to step outside with a student because I don't know how to remain in control of the rest of the class during the time. I would ask them to remain after class, but I only have 3 minutes to get to my next class in a totally different building, so that's not really feasible. Would it suffice if I sent them an email later? Any ideas? cutNglue - I think they don't feel like I treat them as adults because I have rules/guidelines in place. I set up a seating chart after a few days in order to separate certain students, and when they would talk in class, I would let them know they were wasting their own time and would still be responsible for the material. I did raise my voice and tell them that they were not showing me that they could behave maturely and that that made it difficult for me to plan more fun activities, etc, because I wasn't sure if they could handle them - do you think this what I did that made them feel like children (and then the need to continue to act like children)? I only resorted to the essays when they didn't seem to respond to anything I said during class and since I can't really assign detention, I needed something to act as a consequence. If you have any other suggestions, please let me know! Aliceacc - yeah, it's my first year, and all my education classes are still fresh in my head. I have let them know I'm unhappy with how they choose to behave in class, I guess I'm just afraid of letting it make me mad, because I don't want to show that they've gotten to me. I do think I'm going to remove the comment box from that class (the other classes are fine), or maybe only offer it as a occasional opportunity only. I told them from the beginning that I do not necessarily respond to all comments, so I've never allowed them to "rule" me in that way - I think I'm just taking these recent ones too personally. I've already emailed the parents of the main students (our school has a whole email/online system in place), and written a behavior log. I already give a quiz at the beginning of the day over their homework, so they should already know that they are responsible for learning. Oh - and I don't like sending kids out of the room either; this one student left on his own! I thought he just got mad and ditched, but apparently he went to the office of his own accord? Or another teacher caught him ditching class? thank you for all your suggestions though - I do think I need to remember that they are only 14/15. lemonhead - yeah, I absolutely know I shouldn't take those comments personally, I think I'm just frustrated with that class, and so I'm more sensitive to what's said. From the beginning, I've stated that I wasn't going to necessarily respond to any comments, so I don't feel like they think I will change things because of what they write. BB0211 - when they first came into class, they had the option of participating in class and taking a quiz or not and getting a 0. I informed them that if they chose to talk and I assigned them an essay that their parents would be notified that they are being disruptive. Then I said that if they refused the assignment that I would write a referral. So I probably made it sound like I lumped them all together as one consequence, but really, they were three consequences for three different actions. Do you think this was too much though?
Hi ZoomZoom - I must have missed you in my long replies! One of the most difficult things at this this school is that I do not have my own classroom. I transfer between 4 classrooms, and I have a THREE minute passing period to get to my next class (in a totally different building) after this one. We were originally in a different classroom, and then switched into a new one, so I don't have any of my own rules posted or anything. I really dislike how this classroom is set up too - there's a big empty section in the middle-front of the room which is probably great for English or discussion classes, but horrible for math where students need to be close to the board. It's not my room, so I can't really rearrange the furniture either...although we did yesterday and then moved it back. The first three weeks were absolutely crazy at this school and my rosters changed constantly. And even though I went over all my expectations at the beginning (and assigned a syllabus quiz so I know that the students should know how things are done), half the students I have now weren't there at the beginning and I wasn't able to adequately enforce procedures that I was constantly having to re-introduce. So, in the past two weeks, when things finally settled down and I've had a chance to enforce these expectations, maybe the students have felt as though they are above them? This could be very possible - and if so, what is my best plan of action now? I really try hard not to take their crap, and for the most part, I don't. I'm just letting this get to me, because I feel so clueless right now with this class. Should I keep giving out these essays, or will they start to rebel against them? Do I keep contacting parents, even if the student continues to act out EVERY class period? I really don't want to get in the habit of sending them to the office (for one thing, the principal/VP isn't always there and I'm not able to escort them there or anything so how do I know they won't ditch?), so I'd like to have something in the classroom that can serve as a consequence. Thank you for your response though! Any other help is great too!
I see, well here is how I did it- will try to draw you a picture - I looked at the child and said (with no emotion but a stern voice, "follow me." I never even looked back to see if he followed- he always did. You are looking into the room as you counsel him- the door is open and the child has his back to the door- this way the kiddos are seeing you are calm but they also know you have an eye on them also..... Your student you took to the hall- has his back to them- this helps because he doesn't have to/need to 'save face" by either being scared or acting tacky towards you. The fact that they see him come back in with a new attitude and of course all is usually quiet, you have created a short diversion and put focus back on you being in charge. The other students also know you mean business. You have also supervised all the students and never really let them out of your sight- the door was open and you were still supervising.... your calm voice will be non threatening yet stern..... if anything is ever said about how you handled the discipline problem- your response is just that "we were making sure we were on the same page and all is well now, just a short chat ." The fact that you wasted a good 45 seconds outside with the trouble maker is a good investment when compared to the 5- 10 total minutes you were probably forfeiting in class time/ Still I would document it and maybe even a short email to the parent- this was discussed xyz and I appreciate your cooperation helping sure this behavior doesn't happen again. Parents used to intimidate me but not any more- I got over it- because I am more confident that I have handled things fairly and correctly.
raney - what a pain to have to use different classrooms each period! This is going to sound goofy, but is there any way you can post your rules and consequences on pieces of posterboard and store one in each room? You could have a student be in charge of getting the rules out and placing them in a visible spot so you don't have to worry about doing it each time. And no, don't give up on your essay just yet. Give it a couple of weeks at least. And remember - smallest infraction has to face the consequences. It'll take time but eventually the kids will realize that it's more trouble to get in trouble. Know what I mean? Don't give up. You're in charge. Show 'em who's boss. Keep your cool the entire time. If you're consistant, you'll start to see change. And pretty soon you won't have to worry about this stuff anymore and you can just concentrate on teaching.
Actually, the first thing that came to my mind is that they are NOT adults, no matter how much they might think otherwise. If they deem to act like children, they should be treated as such. Considering that this is the only class that you are having problems with, don't fret...either the students are just trying to push your buttons by some of their comments or they are just fed up with the disrupters and want you to take control of the situation. Maybe you can talk with some of your stronger, well-behaved students and kind of have a meeting between these students and the few ringleaders who seem to cause the disruptions. Start the meeting by stating that it has come to your attention that some of the students feel that I've not maintained control and what they think about it. Let the "good" strong students start. Maybe the other students will get the point since it is a school mate versus the teacher. If, however, you feel that the majority of the class is giving you a hard time...I'd just take away the box as it is only becoming as stressor for you. If they comment on this, let them know that if they have concerns or questions that you are available at the end of class. Again, remember, they are not adults no matter that they are in high school...they are still children.
I must concur..they are not adults..I teach 9th and 10th graders..they are NOT adults. They are children..YOU are the adult and the only one. I disagree with the comment box, you are just inviting disruption and chaos. Who cares if they think you can't do something, they can't do algebra so you are 'even'. Don't give them so many options. Its either you do the work or you are gone. By allowing them to chose you are putting them in control of the class, now I firmly believe in they are responsible for their own work-but not for the classroom. You are in charge of what they do and when they do it. I agree with someone saying no 'opt out' there is NO choice-they are in school to learn not chat with friends. Do that at lunch or before/after school. In this classroom we are here to learn. I tell my students my class can be fun or it can be mean...they choose and they know, that if they act up and we can't learn in a nice atmosphere where we can discuss-then I turn into the witch from Oz and they are disciplined accordingly. Let them see you mad! Let them see you mean business! By you not showing emotions that show you do not approve-it makes them think its okay by you with what they do. You don't have to raise your voice its the tone and the wordage that you need to use. I don't think the essays are a good thing, I'd give them more classwork and practice work to do-give them something that they can learn while they do it-about the class.
Thank you so much to everyone for their suggestions!! I really needed the encouragements and advice - some days are just crappier than others, you know? I had this class again today. I feel like things were much better. I didn't bring out the comment box for that class (I still have it with my other classes though), I kept up the essays, and I still gave them the option of choosing to learn. I sent a couple parent emails after class. One boy that I sent an email home to on Friday, today said that he wanted to behave better in class from now on - I'm hoping his parents had some influence on that - and I tried to notice small improvements and complement when possible. I think I zeroed in on one girl who may have been the one leaving me the comments that bothered me. She talks constantly, and seems to think that the class and the class rules are a joke. I emailed her parents this afternoon. I think I'm feeling more comfortable contacting parents, and I realize that parental support is a great thing.
I'm glad things seem to have turned around. But be careful with emails, or messages on answering machines for that matter. Unless you speak to a parent, there's no way to ensure that the parent actually gets the message.
I would advise talking to a parent over the phone not over email, if you are having severe problems with their child. Often you will find out more about the family, sometimes good news sometimes bad. You also know the parent is getting the info now not next week or never.
Our school uses Teacherease.com, so we're already connected to the parents and students via email. Almost all of the parents have submitted their email addresses and are able to regularly log in and view grades, homework assignments, behavior logs, etc. So email is kind of the accepted form of initial communication at this school. I've received replies from most parents that I've emailed, so I know that they get them. If I don't hear a response, or the behavior gets serious, then I can call, but I feel that if an email suffices now that I'm ok.
