I have no idea what to do with class. I have talked with parents, set up behavioral contracts, met with vice-principals and counselors, met with my mentor teacher and my BYU internship facilitator.
No matter what I have done, there are a few particular kids who I will call Ethan, Bob, Tony, and Amy. They are terrible, terrible kids. Honestly. And I hate saying that because I believe there's good in everyone. But these four, manly the 3 boys, cause all the trouble I have. And half the class, like lemings, like sheep, like monkeys, follow in their footsteps. If Ethan, Bob, and Tony make an innappropriate comment or shout-out, searching for a laugh, boy will they get a laugh. If they start talking to each other, the class will rise in an uproar. They are always trying to out-do each other.
No participation points for the day doesn't work. A call home doesn't work. In-school detention doesn't work. Talking to the vice-principals don't work.
Half the class hates them. They've told me.
A few have written me uplifting notes, like these.
Some have tried giving me suggestions as what to do.
One girl wrote me a note today on some makeup work.
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| Excuse her spelling, she is a special ed student of mine. And note, I don't scream. No. Never. I use a more strict, teacher-ly, "you are most definitely in trouble" voice. |
Teacher friends, if you have any advice, please let me know.
This sounds horrible. My sister (she's 14) was telling me last night that they have a kid at their school that was suspended and will be going to court over making an inappropriate comment to a teacher in class. I find it crazy that kids are this insane these days! I hope you find a solution soon!
ReplyDeleteWell, for the most part, their inappropriate comments aren't "bad" or "foul," they are just really off-topic, sarcastic, and sometimes mean to other kids.
DeleteBut, I definitely try my hardest to be patient.
So I wrote a comment this morning about how beautiful and awesome and amazing you are, and that you should check my blog in a few hours for a cheering session--- but it doesn't look like it ever posted. That's probably just my skillz with technology coming out.
ReplyDeleteTANNEY, YOU ARE WONDERFUL, SMART, KIND, FUNNY, COMPASSIONATE, LOVING, ENTHUSIASTIC, LIVELY, LOVELY, INTELLIGENT, AND VERY MUCH ONE OF MY FAVORITE PEOPLE. Please do go look at my blog for a Pick-me Up. It's just for you. :) It even links BACK to you.
http://thoseweirdheims.blogspot.com/2013/03/that-tanney-girl-plea-for-help-and.html
I love you! Thank you!
DeleteI`m not a teacher so I won`t even pretend to have any expertise on the subject- but this reminded me of a post one of my favorite bloggers wrote about this very subject, and a really cool way she handled it: http://marriageconfessions.com/2013/02/12/giving-joy-away/
ReplyDeleteSome Snapshots Blog
Jess
Thanks! I'll check it out!
DeleteThat sounds like the worst! I'm sorry Tayler! I'm praying for you and sending good wishes and love through the internet :D
ReplyDeleteLet me know how it turns out. If I ever have a class like that (we can pretty much count on it, right?) I would love to have someone else's successful ideas to try out!
Most things work for most kids. It's typically those few ringleaders that through you for a loop
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