by connecticuter » Thu Apr 12, 2012 8:36 pm
Lately, I have been busy dealing with similar problems, although I have been dealing with them a bit differently. I teach adults, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th grade. The latter two have been the absolute worst. Both classes are composed of students, the majority of which, speak English at least 3-4 grade levels below their current grade. To make matters worse, when I was given these classes, the students had not had a teacher for 3 months.
They were very disgruntled to learn that I intended to actually teach. My 11th grade class has 38 students, although only about 6-8 show up at any given time. They like to sit in the cafeteria, play ping pong, or walk the halls. I complained to admin about this but they have told me they could do nothing, so be it. Last week I gave the grade 11 class their chapter exam. Unsurprisingly, 21 students failed (most got below 15%), 6 students passed (4 with 60's, one a 70 and another with 85%), the rest skipped class.
I spoke with the students that do regularly attend class. They told me that they like the other teacher better, he would let them either do group work or play games - he rarely used the book and workbook. Teaching styles differ, however, results matter. My 7th graders can out-perform the majority of this class.
Little can be done here. Admin will not enforce attendance policy and shows no concern that most students are failing. The problem is that these students have been getting a free ride all of these years. Now, when a teacher actually expects them to perform at the established level, they cannot. When these students fail, they will be allowed a retest, which is so watered down no one will actually fail.
I did get a modicum of interest when I explained to the students that aside from corruption, nepotism, being a gangster, or monk, they would need to to speak a second language (English, Mandarin, etc...) in order to get a good career.
I have a (mostly) zero tolerance policy when it comes to infractions of rules: if they can speak English properly I look the other way. However, I never lose my cool. I calmly tell them to leave. After they leave I let the remaining students know why it was that the other student's behavior was unaccetable and/or shameful.
I should add, you ought to get to know your problem students, some of them are not actually bad kids. Two cases in point. In my 11th grade class, the most disrespectful and cynical student was also the student with the best grasp of English. It turns out, she was bored as hell with the class, because it was beneath her. Showing her a bit of respect for her ability and looking the other way regarding her antics went a long way in resolving the matter.
Likewise, with another girl in my 10th grade class. Her problem was that the other girls in class were not interested/capable of studying 10th grade English. In an attempt to fit in with the other girls, she skipped class, came late, etc.. I pulled her aside after class and had a chat with her. I let her know that I understood her situation (peer pressure and all), but that she had a choice to make about the kind of future she wanted. Things have been turning around.
Anyway, I go with the dog whisperer, you need to be the calm assertive pack leader. If the students want to learn English, then they must come to class and follow the rules. Otherwise, they can just ditch class.
Lately, I have been busy dealing with similar problems, although I have been dealing with them a bit differently. I teach adults, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8th, 10th, and 11th grade. The latter two have been the absolute worst. Both classes are composed of students, the majority of which, speak English at least 3-4 grade levels below their current grade. To make matters worse, when I was given these classes, the students had not had a teacher for 3 months.
They were very disgruntled to learn that I intended to actually teach. My 11th grade class has 38 students, although only about 6-8 show up at any given time. They like to sit in the cafeteria, play ping pong, or walk the halls. I complained to admin about this but they have told me they could do nothing, so be it. Last week I gave the grade 11 class their chapter exam. Unsurprisingly, 21 students failed (most got below 15%), 6 students passed (4 with 60's, one a 70 and another with 85%), the rest skipped class.
I spoke with the students that do regularly attend class. They told me that they like the other teacher better, he would let them either do group work or play games - he rarely used the book and workbook. Teaching styles differ, however, results matter. My 7th graders can out-perform the majority of this class.
Little can be done here. Admin will not enforce attendance policy and shows no concern that most students are failing. The problem is that these students have been getting a free ride all of these years. Now, when a teacher actually expects them to perform at the established level, they cannot. When these students fail, they will be allowed a retest, which is so watered down no one will actually fail.
I did get a modicum of interest when I explained to the students that aside from corruption, nepotism, being a gangster, or monk, they would need to to speak a second language (English, Mandarin, etc...) in order to get a good career.
I have a (mostly) zero tolerance policy when it comes to infractions of rules: if they can speak English properly I look the other way. However, I never lose my cool. I calmly tell them to leave. After they leave I let the remaining students know why it was that the other student's behavior was unaccetable and/or shameful.
I should add, you ought to get to know your problem students, some of them are not actually bad kids. Two cases in point. In my 11th grade class, the most disrespectful and cynical student was also the student with the best grasp of English. It turns out, she was bored as hell with the class, because it was beneath her. Showing her a bit of respect for her ability and looking the other way regarding her antics went a long way in resolving the matter.
Likewise, with another girl in my 10th grade class. Her problem was that the other girls in class were not interested/capable of studying 10th grade English. In an attempt to fit in with the other girls, she skipped class, came late, etc.. I pulled her aside after class and had a chat with her. I let her know that I understood her situation (peer pressure and all), but that she had a choice to make about the kind of future she wanted. Things have been turning around.
Anyway, I go with the dog whisperer, you need to be the calm assertive pack leader. If the students want to learn English, then they must come to class and follow the rules. Otherwise, they can just ditch class.
:cheers2: