Calling all teachers

[Missam05]

I'm not a veteran teacher but I too see this as an ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE situation. I know I have problems similar to this b/c I'm more of a "cool" teacher than a down to business teacher. (Don't get it twisted though we do handle business when it's time!)

I'll just wait to see what others suggest as I don't have many "tricks" up my sleeve to suggest.

[MeezDiscreet]

I teach 7th grade and although I think they act like kindergartners, they're not so I don't know if I'll be able to offer too much. An interesting phenomenon is that my 4th/8th period (the last period of the day) are the worst and the same is for almost every other teacher (the only exception is the teacher that has the G/T group at 4th period). At any rate, here's my offering:

Kids need cues. I offer "game day" for the last part of the class period on Fridays but my students have to earn them based on class participation and behavior. I have a section on my board blocked off for the points. Between Monday and the end of their class period on Thursday, they have to acquire 50 points. One of my cues that I'm pleased with their behavior is my red dry/erase marker and if they see me pick it up, they know I'm giving more points. But, when I pick up this yellow and black eraser,they know I'm not pleased because I'm erasing points. Maybe you can adapt something similar with smiley-faces or something.

As we know, parents are a big part of the problem because many don't want to be a part of the solution. It gets really frustrating when you call them and they do nothing and especially frustrating when you call and they make a big show about correcting the behavior and then the kids come back with the same poor behavior. In the past, I would write that parent off punish through exclusion from activities, detention or write-ups. This year, I decided to transfer my frustration to the parents. I'll call them in the middle of the day at work every day if I have to but I shouldn't be the only one who can't get work done because their child is acting a fool. As a matter of fact, Thursday, I called a father at work and had to turn around and call him back, literally, 3 minutes later because his son decided to have a worse attitude. I figure these parents will get tired of me calling them and evoke some change in that child, at which point I will and do call them to give a good report.

Not to brag at all but I'm known around school for my classroom management and I get a lot of new teachers wanting to observe me because of it. If you want to pm me, I have some more ideas/antecdotes.

[laylo]

[QUOTE=MeezDiscreet;1544962]I'll call them in the middle of the day at work every day if I have to but I shouldn't be the only one who can't get work done because their child is acting a fool.[QUOTE]

lol! I do need to become more bold with parents. I always try to sugar coat things because they think I'm so young and I don't know what I'm talking about because I am not a parent.

And thanks for the behavior chart idea. I remember a teacher of mine doing that in elementary school- all the groups had a green behavior card, and if a student misbehaved, their group's card was changed to red or something. We already have an incentive where if they get enough clips they get a party, but I might use this one just for the end of the day and make it a game we play every day.

My only worry is that they will always need that in order to listen to me. I can keep doing it, but do you find that the incentives increase their willingness to behave? i.e. Do they become dependent on the incentive, or do they begin to see a general benefit in behaving well?

[MeezDiscreet]

Originally Posted by laylo

lol! I do need to become more bold with parents. I always try to sugar coat things because they think I'm so young and I don't know what I'm talking about because I am not a parent.

You have to! I don't like to but it's very necessary. And if you have to take time to call, MOST parents will be "on your side." Try to communicate to them that you're only calling because you are concerned and that it is something you don't want to have to do; you gotta finesse them. Most of the times, I try to give them something positive (i.e., "He's a very intelligent student but his behavior is causing a problem.") and I ask for their help in getting the child on the right path. I even ask what works at home. Then there are those times when I'm not interested in a conversation--I want them to the come to the school for a conference. I skip pleasantries and get straight to it: "Hello. This is Meez Discreet, your child's English and Reading teacher. I'm calling to find out what day will be a good day for you to come to the school for a conference. Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday?"

Originally Posted by laylo

My only worry is that they will always need that in order to listen to me. I can keep doing it, but do you find that the incentives increase their willingness to behave? i.e. Do they become dependent on the incentive, or do they begin to see a general benefit in behaving well?

They begin to see the benefit of behaving well because they see that class is better and more enjoyable when they behave well.

I've never worked with that age group so tell me, would rewarding the "good kids" encourage the others? Also, have you talked to administration? One of the teachers was so frustrated with her last class that she sent a formal invitation to the principal and counselor to come and observe. It was actually kind of cute with fancy font that said "You are cordially invited to come and observe my 4th/8th period" but also noted that with the present conditions, instruction is being impeded. When I saw it, I laughed so hard! It got their attention. They said they'll be in next week to observe.