Seventh grade science. They were constructing an argumentative essay (using sentence frames) debating what caused the "canals" on Mars.
Justin walked into second period in play mode. He took way too long to get seated, and then he immediately got up because he "needed" something. And then...
In less than five minutes of class, I was done. Luckily, their teacher had left a list of nearby classrooms to send difficult children to. So, it was time to boot Justin.
Of course he resisted. But eventually he went where I sent him--Ms. D's class.
Before third period, I had a chance to talk to Ms. D. And it sounds like the punishment fit the crime.
Clearly, Justin had been playing to the crowd before. His antics were meant to elicit laughter. In the other classroom, Ms. D sat him near a group of cheerleaders. And they shut him down pretty quickly.
A year or two difference in age does make a huge difference.
Justin tried to entertain the girls. They gave him a look of pure disdain. So, Justin spent the period quietly working on his essay.
As this is all I wanted of him, I was pretty happy with that outcome.
A very different Justin returned to class at the end of the period. (I wanted him to return so he could turn in his work.) Let's hope that next time Justin has a sub in class, he doesn't immediately think it's play time.
Lesson learned?
ReplyDelete7th grader? Nah. That lesson will need to be repeated several (a dozen?) times before it sticks.
DeleteMrs. D is a sharp teacher! She knew right where to send him, LOL, to sit :)
ReplyDeletebetty
I wonder if there is some way to market the way troubled kids tend to disrupt classes with humor. Like, if it's obvious that they are trying to be funny, I wonder what would happen if one were to put him or her legitimately in a place where it was their job to entertain. As in "entertain us," or "make us laugh. Let's see how good you are at it. Maybe you are a stand-up comedian in the making."
ReplyDeleteWhat a valuable lesson. Well done.
ReplyDeleteAll I did was send him out of class...
DeleteThere's one in every class.
ReplyDeleteLoved the part about the girls looking at him in disdain. Daughter once had summer job as waitress in Ocean City. A way younger kid tried to make it sound like he and she were "an item." She said, "'Fraid not, Little Tot." That stopped the nonsense.
ReplyDeleteSometimes they really need to be shot down.
DeleteDefinitely sounds like the punishment fit the crime. He won't try to disrespect you in class again!
ReplyDeleteI was looking at your latest tweet in the sidebar, about the VSCO girls. Can you believe I don't even know what "VSCO" stands for? I do look on Google, I swear. And I know who this girl/these girls are. I just don't know what the acronym stands for.
Kim
According to the article, it's some sort of photo editing software. The style is just named after it rather than the acronym meaning something.
DeleteHi Liz - yes ... let's hope he's learnt his lesson ... take care and a good weekend - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteI bet you had a better lesson without him, too. Sounds like it was a win all around - even for him, although I doubt he'd agree.
ReplyDeleteI bet science came long ways since my school day.
ReplyDeleteJustin Bieber is such a trouble maker.
ReplyDeleteLiz,
ReplyDeleteDon't hold your breath. Kids like this enjoy the attention and if they can get away with it then they'll surely repeat themselves. It sounds like banishing from your classroom was a good punishment and he completely his assignment. :)