Baby steps...
After I told one of my students to shut the hell up and asked what the hell his problem was last week, I figured I'd approach today from a different angle. So last night, I called the parents of my problem students. I reached one and talked to her about how her son was bright, BUT that he was rude and decided reading aloud during my lessons was ok. "I'll talk to him, he'll be better tomorrow," she said.
Today, 6th period started off hellishly - luckily I was being observed by my new-teacher coach. Same student was louder than usual (didn't think that was possible). So I pulled him aside and asked what was going on. "I called home last night, and you're still acting like this?"
"That's why I'm acting like this."
So I had my coach haul his ass away - I'm not having that crap.
My class - misguided and evil as they may be - feel a sense of attachment to their peer. They get louder. I hand out a quiz and tell them I'll tear it up if I hear talking. Within 6 minutes I've taken half the class's quizzes.
Screw the different angles.
"I'm tired of this crap. Those of you who want to learn sit at tables 1-4. The rest of you get up and line up."
Eighty percent of the class moves to tables one through four - which really only seat 16 students - leaving students crowded and close.
"Where are we going?" say the others.
"I don't care, but I refuse to let you ruin this for everyone."
One by one, they move to tables 1-4.
I launch into a tirade explaining exactly how they're getting in the way of their own education, and how their behavior is affecting them. I explain why failing and sliding by in high school won't get them to college.
For the first time in 6 weeks, my 6th period class is silent.
"Are you saying we're retarded?"
"No, if that's what I wanted to say, I would have said it. What you are is ACTING stupid."
"Now we're stupid!!!!"
"No, you're acting stupid. Being stupid can't be fixed, you all have the capacity to change your behavior."
One girl starts laughing. I'm livid.
"If you think this is funny, you can laugh about how you're wasting your education out on the street with the crackheads."
"I'm not a crackhead."
"I didn't say that, I said that's what they spend their days doing. You have a choice."
They let me teach today. Surprisingly, many of them knew and had absorbed what I'd been teaching in the last 2 weeks. They answered questions, took notes, and listened until the bell rang.
We'll see how tomorrow goes, but for now, I'll take this small victory and let it wrap me up like a blanket.
Comments
Posted by: Sara
Posted on: October 4, 2006 12:16 AM
Look, I just have to say that this blog is awesome. I love reading about your teaching. You've got a cheerleader, is what I mean. :)
Posted by: your life partner
Posted on: October 5, 2006 12:26 AM
You have two cheerleaders :-)
I miss you and I love you. It was great to talk to you tonight.
Let's just forget about life and go back to Wednesday evening sushi and Friday afternoon pooljogging, hmmmm?