7th grade science. They had a "warm up" assignment, then they had a review packet to work on.
Instead of doing the warm up quietly, Liam did nothing. When my significant looks yielded no results, I asked him to get on task.
"How come you can talk?"
Right. So, now Liam's on my watch list...
When I passed out the assignment and Liam started whining, I knew how the rest of the period would progress. It was time to nip this in the bud. Luckily, the teacher had provided me with two classrooms to send unruly students out to.
I told Liam to take his assignment and go next door.
Oh no! He'd be good. Just one more chance...
No. Giving "one more chance" is a recipe for disaster. (I learned this one the hard way.) Once they've been given a consequence, not following through is the quickest way for me to lose the entire class.
But Liam wasn't going to budge. Until I informed him that his only other choice involved a trip to the office and a talk with the principal.
Liam left. And class proceeded as normal. Until Liam returned.
He walked back in, went to his seat, pulled out his work, and asked me what pages he needed to complete. As if he had just taken a break and was returning to class.
I answered his question. Then I told him to go back next door. He said the teacher wouldn't let him in. OK, fine. Then he could go two doors down.
A couple students left to use the restroom. They told me that the door to the classroom next door was open, and that Liam was just sitting outside. (He lied about not being let in next door, and he didn't even try to go to the classroom two doors down.)
(Liam returned once again, having been told by some adult or other that he couldn't sit outside. Well, I had told him which room he was supposed to be in...)
Deep sigh. And wouldn't you know it, he was a student in the English class I covered the next day...
Ugh. I feel for you. And kudos for sticking by what you say. It's rare that I see any parents follow through with ultimatums. ~sigh~
ReplyDeleteI learned the hard way that once the ultimatum is made, if they go that extra step, they must receive the consequence. It makes my life that much easier.
DeleteSo we have to hear the rest of the story; was he more compliant the following day?
ReplyDeletebetty
No and yes. It wasn't a silent assignment. The class overall was less compliant, so his behavior fit right in with theirs. And there was an aide in class that was able to get him to mellow a bit.
DeleteCan you march his butt next door at that point?
ReplyDeleteSounds like a challenging student!
ReplyDeleteOh yes.
DeleteI hope you're finished dealing with him for a while.
ReplyDeleteWell, this week I've got a whole different set of challenges. We'll see if I see him next week. (Doesn't look likely as so far my assignments are at a different school site.)
DeleteSome people's kids!
ReplyDeleteYup
DeleteI was wondering the same thing as Alex. Were you not allowed to leave the classroom?
ReplyDeleteOh no. Never. Ever. Leave a class unattended. (I could have stood at the door and watched him walk into the room next door, though.)
DeleteEven standing at the door can be dicey if the class is terrible. (This class wasn't, though.) Didn't happen to me, but one class put in a porn DVD...
DeleteHe's going to have to be smarter if he's going to get away with crap like this.
ReplyDeleteYup
DeleteOh, Liam, what a waste! I think I'd have been in the hall sending him on down to the principle...or escorting him down to the principle.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, blogging at Life & Faith in Caneyhead
Following through with your threat is the key and you did that. You need to teach parents to do the same thing. I feel for you.
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of parents do. There are so many good kids (like the rest of that class--they worked silently the whole period).
DeleteI don't even remember what we covered in 7th grade science.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
My junior high didn't have science for 7th graders. We took all the science (life and physical) in 8th grade.
DeleteHow do you get these kids to do anything?? It would frustrate the hell out of me!!
ReplyDeleteBelieve it or not, the rest of that class worked well--and silently--the whole period.
DeleteUgh! Sorry you had to deal with someone who was being so uncooperative and making your job challenging!
ReplyDeleteThanks. I didn't mind so much as I knew it would make a good blog post.
Deleteproblem child
ReplyDeleteYup
DeleteAre you off in July and August? You might need it. :)
ReplyDeleteSchool gets out in a couple weeks.
DeleteThere's always one.... Good thing you know exactly what to do and are so patient.
ReplyDeleteThat's Purrfect
You're so right. If you aren't consistent with consequences the rest of the class thinks it's all bets off.
ReplyDeleteYup.
Delete