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Home : 2003 : September : 22

I know how you feel!
By Lin

Hi Lisa,

I am in the same boat as you! I am teaching grade 4 and they are nuts. As a first year teacher I was really looking forward to doing all of the fun stuff I was encouraged to do in my teaching placements but now
I realize that it's just not possible with the group that I got this year. I have come home upset and crying more than once already b/c they have no control and classroom management was never a problem for me in my placements - my professors actually said it was one of my strengths! What I have been doing is using a points system where they are rewarded with points for their good behaviour

but points are also taken away if they spin out of control. If they get 50 points by Friday they are rewarded with a movie or some other sort of fun activity. It seems to work well - depending on their mood! I also take things away (stuff that they enjoy) such as recess time, gym time, whatever it is that they look forward to. I know it sounds mean but honestly, you have to keep yourself sane and strong so do what you need to do to get yourself through it. It sounds like you are taking the right steps - you have to realize that sometimes (unfortunately) you can do all the right things but it still doesn't change things. I am starting to accept this fact... otherwise I will drive myself crazy! Keep posting, and if ANYTHING helps, please enlighten the rest of us who are in the same predicament as you. Best of luck! Lin