Classroom Management

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Home : 2005 : May : 8

Classroom Management
By Carol

Lyta,

I've been a sub for over twenty years in grades K-12 in all subjects. There is no one set way to work with any group. You do have dos and don'ts though.

It seems from your original post that you already
know what the biggest don't is and that is don't get into it with a student, who is misbehaving, in front of the entire class. And, if you know that, your doing 100% better than most new subs.
Just take them outside and tell that what they need to do to stay. Don't let them explain or shift the blame just lay it on the line. Don't even tell them why you are doing it. Keep it short

and to the point. For two reasons:

(1) You have to keep a watchful eye on the class and the less talking you do the better. You can't be two places at once. Always stand in the doorway with one eye on the rest of the kids.

(2) These trouble-makers know that if they engage you in an argument, they can easily get the upper hand. They want to distract you from the real issue(s) and they also want to get you emotionally off-balance. When we are angry or upset we don't always think clearly or quickly.

So, don't get sucked in. Once they get you angry or distracted they, and not you, are the one that is in control. They could care less why you are doing what you are doing. And, they know full well what they did was wrong no matter what they may say. It's all about distraction and emotional control. Some kids are masters of manipulation. Just watch Nanny 911 some night of FOX.

The biggest do is do teach and do structure even their free time. I found the best thing to do is to minimize free time and group work; especially in middle school. It's not a hard and fast rule but it makes for less problems in the long run. It depends on what you are willing to put up with on any given day and how the kids respond to you. Some kids can work and play co-operatively and some can't.

Some children will gleefully try the patience of a saint. They are sophisticated manipulators and the best thing to do with them is to get rid of of them before they take control of you and the class. And, they will if talking to them, moving their seat, taking away a recess/tickets or assigning detention doesn't work.

In middle school it is easier to remove the problem student from the class than it is in elementary school. A lot of middle schools have in-house-suspencion rooms but not all. Just make arrangements, with a grade level teacher, neighboring teaching or a switch teach for time out if you can't suspend them. Make needed arrangements before the school day starts so you can at least have a half hour to re-gain control of the class. Always send work with them if it is a book to read.

At the end of the day, if you have free time then take them out for free play (Some schools don't like this so check first.) or play silent ball or another structured silent activity like heads-up-seven-up.

Kids can get crazy, yelling and cheering each other on and it can make the teacher next door nuts. If you are in a portable, then noise isn't usually, an issue.

Unfortunately, when you leave kids to their own pursuits problems-even fighting and stealing-can occur. Many teacher's report teacher's manuals, school supplies, personal property and even class candy gets stolen while the sub is busy referring a disturbance or game. You have to watch them like a hawk and structure every minute.

Carol