Currently, we are five weeks into the school year. It has been a very smooth start. My classes are better organized than they have every been and I feel that I am managing my time and resources really well. However, nothing is ever perfect. An area a feel that I still struggle with is managing chronic behavior issues with that tiny handful of "problem" students. I think we all have one or two at least each school year. I certainly have a couple.
I have been working with one of my "problem children" (I call him that only to myself, of course and out of affection) since about week 3 of school. He is a student that I have had before, but as he has become much more outgoing this year. This is aggravated by the fact that he has several friends in class that he likes to perform for.
I always try my best to be a democratic and respectful disciplinarian. I try to keep discipline issues between the student and me as much as possible and not be unnecessarily rigid. However, I feel that those methods have not been effective with the student in question.
After correcting the same behavior (using disrespectful language toward his peers) several times last week, I told him that he had reached his last warning, and that if we had to speak again then he would be assigned detention. After it was all said and done, I had to pull him from the classroom and assigned him not 1 day, but 3 days of lunch detention and called his home to report the problem.
He has since served his detentions with me and I am surprised to say, his behavior has actually been better. I still have to correct his behavior sometimes but he is no longer argumentative or intentionally inflammatory with classmates.
The thing that I would change is that I would have given him stronger consequence sooner! Even though we had several conversations, had his seat moved, and he had lost employability points, he didn't change his behavior until he had the consequence of detention and a call to parents. I realize that I am too willing to give second, third, fourth, etc. chances. I hate that I wasted time for several days gently correcting behavior that really required a more serious consequence.
Hopefully, I will not continue to have behavior issues from this student. But if I do, I will not hesitate to use more severe consequences when his behavior warrants it.
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
Rules For Posting To This Blog and Weekly Blog Question
1. Only use your first name (no last names, addresses, IM screen names, etc.)
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3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
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5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
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.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
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?
1 comment:
It's a learning process and who knows, with another student the lower interventions could work. You did the right thing by escalating your responses. If you go in with the "big gun" first you have nowhere to go.
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