Thread: I have an entire class (10th English) that disrespects me

I don't have any suggestions, but I have one class like this as well. I try to remember that 5 of my 6 classes are not generally like that, so although I do think there must be things I can do to improve the situation, it doesn't necessarily mean I'm a terrible teacher. It just means that I have some learning to do about how to work with kids who are like this. Try not to be too hard on yourself. It sounds like a tough group. Anyway, you're not alone!

I would enlist the help of an administrator if I were in that situation. Meet with the administrator and explain the situation. Ask him/her to please come by and observe and offer suggestions about how to restore order.

We have one administrator at our school who has visited several classes, spoke directly with the students and threatened to issue tickets (with real $ fines) to anyone the teacher feels is preventing learning from taking place.

If the first admin you speak with refuses to help, ask another, and another, then counselors, other teachers, ANYONE.

Another adult in the room frequently causes drastic changes in behavior amongst students. You may even be able to use that glimpse of their "good" side(s) to help bring about the necessary change.

Keep your head up.

They constantly talk when I am talking-

Hmm....I have gone around the room and spoken to each person quite directly on occasion, as in "I expect you to pay attention when I am talking." You might find it necessary to be quite confrontational- do so. And, what Mary said about bringing in an administrator might be worth doing, that is, if the admin is not a part of the problem (some admins essentially do nothing, which can sometimes cause a situation like this.) It sounds to me like the discipline plan you are using needs to be scrapped and a new one devised- one that doesn't allow much leeway and is more like an if-then statement.

Also, some thoughts
1. Do not take it personally when some little X@#! is acting like a little X@#!. They are just that way and you didn't make them that way. There is no use getting angry about it.

2. Structure- the more disruptive, the less intelligent, and the least-likely to succeed need more structure than those who are opposite. And structure requires clarity- that is, phonetically, k-l-a-r-i-t-e-e, so that there is no mistake and no grey areas for them to step into and hurl their defiance.

Just 2 cents. Now, take a deep breath, clear your head a moment, and get a bit of clarity for yourself.

DO what Mary said. I am an academic coach and have been asked by two teachers to help get their classes under control. It was not easy but it has worked. It did take two of us.

Here are a few suggestions.

The instant the bell rings they begin working. Hold them to strict and unbending time limits. If they don't finish their grade suffers. If they come in late they do not get instructions. If they are talking during instructions they do not get seconds. There are bound to be a few good kids in the room so take them aside and tell them what is happening and don't penalize (sp) them. This won't work for all of the studnets and it will take time.

Begin reading a book to them-make sure it is a good one and one they will be interested in-for the first 5 or so minutes of class. You might be surprised how quickly they start to listen. Just start to read.


Set out the rules as nonnegotiable with consequences. be ecceptionally clear with everything and put these in writing. Then start calling parents. Especially if they are at work, and explain to them that they will need to attend a meeting regarding their child's behavior.

But, make sure you start by getting some help. if nothing else, there will be a witness to the behavior you are experiencing.

I'm sorry you have to put up with that from your class.
I hope you can find some strategies to make it work for you

I realize how this sounds, but I am always the kind of person who is reluctant to seek help...I feel uncomfortable with the idea of bringing in an administrator. What if they just see a teacher who can't handle her class? Then I'm likely out of a job next year (one-year contract).

Today I went over some non-negotiable class rules with them. They were a little bit grouchy about it, but in the end, they knew they were fair. It was really basic stuff like, "Don't talk while I am speaking to the class," etc. I am also imposing stricter consequences for everything, and they now understand this. I just need to remember to follow through every time. Wish me luck.

Well, it is better if you can pull it off by yourself. Good luck and hang in there- bad experiences exist to be learned from.

This may be a terrible thing to do, but it is working with my 7th graders. They are very talkative, but not disrespectful, so I dont know if it would work with yours. But they come into class, talking. I feel like I am constantly shushing them. So now, I am rewarding the good ones by allowing them to come to a treat box I have and choose a candy bar or other treat (even homework passes) and eat it in front of the others. I started with only two that were allowed to do that. The number is increasing. Just kind of a positive reinforcement that is working for me.

TaterTot, that's such a simple and peaceful way to deal with this issue of having to shoosh students :P Positive reinforcement is severely under-rated I reckon.
ErBear (or anyone else for that matter), please drop me an email at [email="nickidelc@gmail.com"]nickidelc@gmail.com[/email] for some amazing free resources (including short e-books and Articles) that really WILL revolutionize your classroom management. A colleague of mine put it all together because he's an expert working in a Behavior Specialist School - Glad he's shared his expertise with us commoners
Keep us posted how things are going with you,

Nicole.
PS. Email [email="nickidelc@gmail.com"]nickidelc@gmail.com[/email] and I'll forward the attachments asap.
Cheers!