yep

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yep
By Shawn

Yep, I've had days like that. Here's the thing. Seventh graders are indeed the worst people on Earth. Don't be afraid to be a little bit selfish. Ask the sub caller, "Is that a special ed class?" or "That class (or 7th
graders in general) is obnoxious; do you have anything else?" As a new sub, you do want to make sure not to turn down too many jobs. But at the same time you don't want the sub caller thinking, "I'll give this class to Sharon. She'll take anything." Be just a little bit of a whiner. If they need people to sub, they'll still put you to work. And KISS THE ASS of every secretary you

meet. Try to network constantly. Make it well known that you want to be a high school teacher and while middle school is ok, you are really looking for experience with high schoolers.

Then go to the army surplus store and buy some stuff to wear to school. Get some tatoos. Pick up an air horn to get attention. See my post on kicking the metal filing cabinet.

One very powerful technique is doing the students work for them on the board. Use this if the work is clearly busywork. Kids tune in because they think they are getting away with something. Think about it, the kids will just copy off each other's papers anyway. You might as well be the one in charge. Try to get them involved and explain what is going on. It works a lot better than giving the assignment and yelling at them the rest of the period.

The more you talk, the better. Talk about hockey or football or baseball. Pro wrestling has universal appeal for 7th grade trouble makers. Try to find out what the kids are into. Even if no learning is going on, it at least looks like you are in control. It's good for you sanity too.

Many students are afraid of failure. Assure them that they CAN get a decent grade on this assignment. Make sure to imply they will be graded. If they ask you specifically if it will be graded, say: "I'd sure grade it if it was up to me." Or simply lie. Think how often they lie to you. Feed the same crap back to them.

Learn as many names as possible. Try to make friends with trouble makers outside of class. There is nothing saying you can't be friendly and sociable with the kids. As a sub, you might not have any real threats. But if a kid likes you, he will be much more likely to listen to you - not for fear of punishment, but for fear of destroying your friendship. Make friends with some good kids too. It's an awesome feeling when you can't get a kids name, then a few minutes later you discreetly ask, "Susan, what's the name of the kid in the back with the Abercrombie hat?" Then you have the edge.

Don't be afraid to take stuff away from kids. Don't tell them you are going to take it because then they will stuff it in their pants and dare you to take it. I say, just grab it. They will always say, "You can't take my _______". Ignore this. Tell them that you have every right to take it when they are using it in violation of school policy and they can have it at the end of class.

Hope this helps.

Shawn