Just when I thought I had things going well another discipline issue came up. Yes, with the same student that I have been dealing with all semester. This time an incident occurred while I had a guest speaker from Erlanger Medical Center in my room. The student started eating chips while the speaker was talking. I quietly went up to her and asked her to stop. She blew up like fireworks on the 4th of July. I asked her to step into the hall. She continued. ( The funny thing was a simple incident involving chips now escalated into an office referral due to her yelling at me)This time I offered no discussion, I promptly escorted her to the office. Once there, she preceded to say that I am holding a grudge against her and blaming her for things that she isn't doing. At a loss for words I asked for a conference with the Vice Principal. I chose to offer a conference since the 2 previous write ups, lunch detention and ISS have done no good. We held a conference, where she sat in silent. The conference lasted for ~20 minutes.
I am doubtful that she is going to change. Her negative attitude has changed the entire dynamics of my class. It seems as though the students are watching to see what she will try next. It is not that I have lost control because the class is productive, it is just that by her having such a negative tone, the rest of the students are just going through the motions. Their enthusiasm is gone.
HELP!!! Does anyone have suggestions on what I can do with her? I am planning an interactive group activity involving food and nutrition in hope to generate the fun back into learning. As my grandmother used to say "No one can stay mad while eating good food"
NOTE: I have spoken to her parents too and offered a conference with too.
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4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
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FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
3 comments:
First, remember it probably has nothing to do with you but everything to do with your student. Anger is the word that comes to mind. Second, my administrator said to me today, "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink."
My students know that their behavior in class directly affects their grade. I give a work ethic grade every week and have a Weekly Assignment Sheet where those points are recorded along with their daily assignments/activities.
Class protocol being establish the first week, they know that unprofessional behavior will result in a loss of work ethic points. In the beginning some students acted like they didn't care, but when it made the difference in an A or a B on a progress report, I got my point across. Now don't get me wrong, my students are far from being perfect but this really works for me. But then there is always that one.......... Good luck
I do the same thing as Jan. I use a work ethic/class participation grade. My students know that when they screw up it directly affects their grade. That said, I also have the same problem as you with my 5th period class. I have a couple of students that just seem to bring the whole class down. When just one of them is absent it changes the whole dynamic and the class runs so much smoother. I haven't found the answer either, but just know that you're not alone.
I had a similar situation as you are describing now a few years ago. Quite frankly, despite my best efforts, the situation in my classroom only improved to the extent that my students sort of trudged through their assignments and task with little enthusiasm. Sometimes you just get a bum group of students whose energy has been impaired by one or two bad eggs in your class. However, I do have one suggestion. I've generally found that honesty is the best policy with students. You might just have a heart-to-heart with your students in which you mention that you've noticed their lack of enthusiasm. Tell them how much you appreciate their productivity, but you want to engage their energy as well. Ask them to brainstorm ideas about what you and THEY could do to make the classroom environment more engaging. It's just an idea.
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