I need some help so I can better understand

[Sonya]

My Students

I have the 7th hour from heck and I am at my wits end. I teach high school and my 7th hour is freshmen. This year's lot seems to be the most immature I've ever had in my career. In the class of 29 all my problems are with the boys. (race is not an issue, it's ALL the boys). They are are fairly smart and seem to want to be in my class, none smart off to me but the way they act to each other! "Stop touching me! Teacher! She's touching me!" or "Teacher! He threw that at me! Make him pick it up!" and "Shut Up!" "Leave me alone! Stop looking at me! Teacher!"

HELLO?????

I've seen better behaving 5 year olds! I've tried positive and negative reinforcement, only written work, only group work, calling parents, sending kids to the office, lecturing them, leveling with them, bargining with them, self correction, nothing! I have one kid that no one will sit with. Ever. I have a girl that can't get along with any of the boys. I tell you, it's enough to drive me to drink.

I've tried not to judge the kids parents, to tell myself that the "bad" kids don't come from bad homes, but this time it's not working. None of these kids are in special education. I haven't been made aware that any have ADHD, etc. I believe that this could be a good class if they would grow up.

I guess what I'm after here, after I finish my little fit, is why do these kids act this way if I believe that they all come from "normal" homes or "good" homes, and how can I get them to act like 14 year olds? Sometimes I don't understand whay good kids make bad choices or behave badly.


Thanks for listening to my vent.

 

[bfeller]

Just finished subbing for 8th grade today and found the same problem but only in a small group of boys but it was enough to disrupt the whole class. 2 of the 5 classes were crazy. If you find something that works let me know. I sub these kids on a regular basis and it happens all the time. I have discussed it with teachers on the team and they are having the same problem. Although it seems that many of the parents of these boys don't care and have given up. The school administration doesn't stand a chance if the parents will not support the discipline.

Just have to groan with you. Sorry I have no advice.

 

[RoqueC]

The freshman in my school are quite immature. They all act as if they're superior to other kids. And well, most of them are drug users, and that isn't a big "plus" in my book.

 

[bobcat]

I feel your pain! I have a 7th grade class that is driving me batty! They are all great kids and I had them all last year in 6th as well but the combo of them together is insane. Nothing I do is working and I am out of ideas. I have no advice to offer but I'll meet you at the bar anytime!

 

[RNMOM]

Not being a teacher but having immature kids, , what comes to mind are those exercises they use in business seminars to get people to know and trust one another. Just a thought.

My son also worked with an occupational therapist when he was 6-7 cause he would lash out when other kids bumped him and such. She had all kinds of exercises he and the other couple boys in the group did together. It did help.

Perhaps speaking with the school psychologist for some ideas might help.

My DS#1 had a class in 9th grade where the boys had to draw the name of a girl and have a "date" with her. They had tables set up and soft drinks. They were to get to know each other, write some notes and then had to introduce the other person to the class. There were ground rules for what was appropriate. I think it was a good thing and he seemed to enjoy it.

 

[mamajoan]

Originally posted by Sonya
None of these kids are in special education. I haven't been made aware that any have ADHD, etc. I believe that this could be a good class if they would grow up.

[/B]

I admit that I am sensitive to the label tacked on to ADHD kids...
I have a 21 y/o with ADD and a 12 y/o dx'd at 3 with ADHD.
THEY HAVE NEVER.. I MEAN NEVER BEEN A DISRUPTION IN CLASS TO OTHER STUDENTS. Please do not associate the idea that if a student has ADHD that they are automatically problematic. It is one reason I hate filling out medication forms for my dd. BECAUSE OF THE LABEL- ADHD kid.. oh man I will have trouble with that one.. even before the teacher has met dd. Every year I get the same response.. " oh she does not act like a kid with ADHD... she is smart, well behaved, studious.. I am surprised" It is my experience that ADHD does not cause a child to do any of the things you listed in your post. whew, I shall step down now..
I don't know you, nor your teaching style. I tend to assume everyone puts their best foot forward in their profession. As I am sure you must. Your students seem to be unruly, immature and disrespectful. Freshman should be able to conduct themselves in a manner appropriate for young adults. I don't know how but the nuns always kept us in line ( attended Catholic schools 1-8)
Fear.. I suppose. My son's H.S had parents attend class with their students if classroom problems arose thruout the year. Imagine an entire 7th period with all the students, each accompanied by an angry parent for 3-4 days.. This was enforced by school site. If parent did not attend, student was suspended. It seemed to work well.
Thank you to all teachers who care for their students. Please know that there are many parents out here who appreciate your skills and hard work.

 

[bfeller]

I don't think that the poster meant to offend ADHD students. I sub and one of the first things that I think of when having a unruley student is ADHD also, because I may have this student at the time of day when they are due for meds soon. Believe me there is a drastic difference in some children if they do not take their meds on schedule. A teacher needs to try and get to the root of the behavior and just from experience that is one of the options to think about. I also try to rule out learning disabilities. I know that at times it is very embarrassing to tell a teacher or sub that they are having trouble. (I know because I have a child with LD) Some tend to be class clown to lessen the embarrassment. After ruling out any viable reasons for the behavior then one must realize that the students may just be misbehaving for no reason but to be a pain.

This is just my opinion but at times I feel that the reason I don't remember so many behavior problems when I was a kid is because we had corporal punishment back then. (yes, I know that it was be abused, but I don't remember any reports of that in our school) In my experience as a sub, when I see some of these immature students I can't help but think that a good swat could do them some good. Most of the these students don't have parents who care. (they all have their excuses of working, too busy, giving up on child)

I really like the idea of having parents coming in to be with disruptive students. Wish our school system had that in place.

I do need to say that in general it is a very small percentage of students who are really disruptive but they can make it impossible to teach a class of good well behaved kids.

 

[bumcat]

My daughter is a jr and told me last yr that the freshman class was horrible. At first I kind of shrugged her off thinking maybe it wasn't that bad but her school built a new section this yr for the freshman class only. She said it's also just the boys? I know it's not all freshman boys but it must have been pretty bad for the school to build a section just for them.

 

[Sonya]

Thanks for coming to my defense bfeller. Mommajoan I did not mean to single out ADD kids, but if there is a reasonable excuse for a behavior I want to know so I can help them or get help for them. I qualified my vent because many parents have "excuses" for their kids (not you all!) for their bad behavior that are not legit, like "well my kids doesn't like math". Than may be but they still need to behave.

I'm sorry I vented if it bothered you, but sometimes they just get to me. I was all out of ideas and don't need this stress! After a few bad days in a row I'm ready for a WDW vacation!

Thanks for the ideas RNMOM, I might just go talk with their councellor.
And I had to LOL mommajoan, I have had parents go to class with their kids, it is the funniest thing to see a high schooler going around all day with their parent. The kid does improve after that!

Thanks for the commiseration bobcat and bfeller, sometimes it helps to know that this is kids being kids, although to the extreme! I hope your classes get better too.

 

[holycow]

Have you tried moving the most disrupting to the front of the class....I wanted to hang my head as I have a just turned 14 yr. DS and I love him but some times I want to just bop him one!

anyway, I have found that if he is in the front of the class room he does so much better in his class...(I just got a call 2 wks ago) from his Lang Arts teacher telling me he wants to participate too much and then "throws a fit" if she doesn't call on him....she told me she has NEVER seen behavior like this before and ask me if he has emotional problems....

Yes, I was a angry but I told her he is distracted easily and doesn't focus well if he is in the back of the class room.

Good luck to you yes there are parents out there who still care and try to teach our children how to behave but we never really know what they are doing at school until we get that phone call...

Holycow

 

[mamajoan]

Hi guys, I am glad to hear that you think about kids with LD's vs kids who basically are pain's in the butt. I am a strict parent. It has worked with my kids..most of the time. The teachers seem to appreciate the fact. I am amazed when I hear parental excuses given for poor behavior of their children. I am also amazed that a teacher can handle 30+ students in a small room on a daily basis without medicinal aides of their own.
It is my job as a parent to ensure that my child gets what he needs for his education.

I am glad you like the idea of parents attending school with the kids. As you have stated..IT WORKS for immature kids who are just acting out. It is also good for the parent to see what is going on with their kids while at school.
bfeller, I agree with your statement re:corporal punishment.
The nuns were always willing and ready with various punishments. In H.S we may have called teachers "mean" but those were people who controlled their classrooms with ironfists.
I also believe there is a huge difference between Zero tolerance policies and strict classroom management.
Again thank you for all your hard work and concern for students.

 

[LvsTnk]

My DS is not a freshman but he just told me that he is having trouble at the end of the day with his 2 hardest classes. He came to the conclusion he needed more sleep, by the end of the day he is so tired he can't focus and is very crabby. He probably has too much going on as well.

Freshman have alot to adjust to and with a lack of sleep watch out.

 

[Sonya]

LvsTnk, I would LOVE it if they would switch our sched. with the elementary schools! Some schools have done this with great results! Little kids are mostly awake 1st thing in the morning and high schoolers need more sleep. It improves grades and behavior. However it's too much trouble for our community b/c of sports and work. I wish I could call each parent and tell them to get their kids to bed!

holycow, I have done that and it helps, thanks. I wish I had enough front row seats for them all.
I have a kid like your son, he really wants to participate and I love him for it, but I do have to give every kid a chance. I don't think it's emotional problems at all. I think he's just very enthusiastic about learing!

I asked the principal to look at my class and tell me what I should be doing, he looked at my class roster and said I had a lot of kids that he had already seen in his office, sent by other teachers. I just seem to have a lot of them. I'm working on them! I'll have a good class yet!

 

[browneyes]

Sonya, I think you have entered hormone-land. From what I remember of being a 7th grader (many moons ago ), that was the year the boys in my classes were the wildest and the weirdest. Good luck. **pd**