Sharks

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Home : 2004 : January : 20

Sharks
By Tate

I have found 8th grade behavior to be similar to sharks smelling blood. If they sense weakness then they circle the prey until the time is right for an attack. I do love teaching 8th grade but it comes with it's problems.
As for the bathroom...they are playing with you. I am sure there is a bathroom break scheduled in. There has to be. Lots of stuff go on in the bathrooms and that is the main draw for them to go there. I would get their restroom/break schedule and post it. When they ask you to go point out to them that they either had their break already or will have it a such and such time. Warn

them that after this time you will not be letting them go to the restroom without penalty. You have to have solid rules posted and consistant consequences. Write-offs seem to help. If they don't do them then send it to the office (that works here). I even have assigned detention to the ones that flat out refuse because they want to go to ISS and so I take their afterschool time if need be. This is a tough grade level and they will pull absolutely anything they can. I know I am not much help but I think getting their schedule and maybe even sending a memo to their homeroom teachers letting them know what you are being told might help. Good luck.