How do you deal with indiscipline issues in the classroom?
365162
I'm a teacher.  I never have unrealistic rules in my classroom and I try to lead by example.  If I am polite to children and never shout, then I accept the same from them.  I don't usually have disciplinary problems although there is the odd exception.
305622
Go to class one day with a big duffel/sports bag. Put anything in the bag - old newspapers, soft toys, you name it. Right at the top of the bag, put something that you think might interest your students - depending on their age and sex it might be a newly released CD, or a favorite sports magazine, or the latest in hand held PS2's. Make sure the bag is zipped closed. As you enter the classroom put the bag somewhere very obvious (but within easy reach of yourself). \nStart your class in the normal way, and somewhere within the first 5 minutes mention to them that you have a bag of goodies you want to use for today's class. But you first have to deal with some grammar/vocab/etc. Handle the class like you normally would. Maybe remind them that you have to finish the work to get to the bag with stuff. Make sure your face gets all excited when you mention the bag - they might start to wonder what is in the bag. Try to ignore the rowdy ones and concentrate on the well behaved ones. If the class gets very rowdy, just touch the bag, or maybe just take a sideways glance at it. Make sure your kids see this. \nNow, if the class didn't behave like you would have wanted them to behave, end the class (when time is up) with a sentence like, "Oh, I'm so sorry we didn't have time to look at what's in the bag. Act like they're not in class with you, open the bag, take out the noce goody at the top (zip up again and don't let them see what's at the bottom of the bag), and start paging through the magazine/take out your diskman and listen to the CD (making sure they see the cover)/ or do whatever you want to  with the goodie. \nDON'T say anything to them after that. Just shrug your shoulders if they have any comments.\nNow, say they were good, you could use that article in your class just before time's up. \nFor the next lesson they have with you, again bring your bag. This time make sure you have something they are really keen about, and that you have a plan on how to incorporate it in your classroom. Follow the same procedure as the first lesson. (If you used a CD the first time, maybe come to class listening to it over your diskman, or play it on the classroom CD player until they start to arrive for class.) Again, if they're not good - no bag. \nKeep this up for at least 4/5 lessons. Sometime during these 4/5 lessons, tell them that they didn't have time to work with the bag's contents, so that means they will have to do extra homework - the reason for this is that the contents of the bag would have helped them to understand something better/practice a grammar concept/practice some vocabs. But because they didn't get to the bag, they have to do extra homework to make up for the lack of practice.\nTry it. I used it on a few classes at different schools, with different age groups, and in all instances, it worked by the 3rd lesson. \nTo keep them on their toes afterwards, why don't you plan for some type of fun activity once every 4/5 lessons. Maybe help them to learn their favorite song's words. Let them bring their own CD's to class and have a listen to the CD day - be sure to have them rate each other's CD's and say why they like it/don't like it (all in good English, of course). \nTry not to involve the director or another teacher, if possible. This will show them that you can't handle them and they will feel totally in control Even if some are punished by the director, they will become martyrs, and you will be able to get less out of them. Always try to handle the problems without losing your cool. They like seeing teachers squirm - it is a natural drug for them! \nGood luck, and if you try it, let me know how it worked.
236419
In a school I went to for my GED there was, as in nearly any class, detractive students.  It was actually suggested that we tell interrupting students to be quiet, and that the teacher would not have any qualms with that.  Depending on the individual, there are numerous tacks to take.  If this person is a brat they may be acting out, and even assaulting you.  Watch for clever verbal assaults.  One of the best responses I've found is: "It's unfortunate that you feel that way!"  If that doesn't work try: "Everyone in the class knows what you're up to."  You'll be surprised how well that works!
371773
You can't force anyone to do anything.  What you need to do is make the work interesting and relevant to them.  Try using realworld kind of examples, get them thinking about something that concerns them and tie it in to the lesson. Check out Reality- Based Teaching website, I can't remeber the URL but just google it it should come up
131016
See what they want to talk about, and ask them about that. But make sure you don't ask too personal questions.\n\nAsk challenging questions. Say something absurd or ridiculous (such as: "cows can fly") as if you really meant it, and wait for their reaction. You can also add a justification to your statement, that will be as ridiculous as the statement itself.\n\nMake them talk about what they know best. Don't tell them to do some research before the discussion: Propose discussion topics that will prompt them to do the research even if you didn't ask them to do it. A teacher in my country (Argentina) says that we make a mistake by asking them to solve questions they had never even thought about. We should first show them the problem, make them ask the questions, and help them find the answers. That way, it is their question, and they will probably not stop untill they have an answer for it.
83112
I went through a very similar situation and after months of being told by the teacher and the principal that there must be a problem at home, I found out another child was having the same problems mine was.  The other mom and I got together and came up with a plan.  We each got our child to tell us why the other child was having so much trouble.\n\nTurned out there was another child in the class bullying and intimidating ours so badly that there were days they spent all their time huddled under their desks.  \n\nWhile I still could not get the school to admit to a problem, I did find a sympathetic vice principal who allowed my child access to her office at any time he felt he could not handle being in the class anymore.  \n\nIt wasn't the perfect solution but it got us to the end of that school year and I made sure I had some say in what class he went into the next year.  Things improved after that.  \n\nIf you truly are not having discipline problems at home and the only place there really seems to be a problem is at school, then I would be looking very hard at why there is a problem at school.  Don't take the teacher's word for anything...that teacher may very well be the problem.  Talk to other parents and find out if anyone else is going through something similar to what you are.  Make sure your child understands that you know there is a problem and you are doing your best to help.  Let him know he has you on his side.  \n\nGood luck.  Sure would like to know the outcome of this one.
654370
Welcome to the profession!\n\nFirst, if your district does not assign mentors for first year teachers, ask your principal to recommend someone in your building that is experienced, friendly, and has excellent classroom management skills. Plan to have regular observations, both him/her observing your room, and you observing theirs, and discussions with them about it.\nSecond, get to know your specialists...ELL teachers, special ed teachers, music/art/PE/library teachers, etc. Be aware of their strengths, and turn to them when planning for and developing instructional strategies for students in your class.\nThird, avoid "clique" participation. Stay open and friendly, as much as you can, with all staff, but stay away from becoming a part of any small sub-group, especially gossipy groups.\nFinally, have detailed plans way ahead of time, and then expect to change those plans daily. Having the overall structure in place ahead of time gives you a scaffold from which to do your daily adjustments.\n\nClassroom management is 90% of the success of your classroom. Set clear, simple rules and consequences, and be firm, inflexible, and fair in implementing those rules and consequences. Plan and practice classroom routine the first couple of days (what do you want your kids to do, step by step, when they need to sharpen a pencil, use the bathroom, get a drink of water, finish their work, etc., etc.).\n\nGood luck!
92564
I know that you're in a very bad predicament but think about it this way the best way to deal with this is to face it head on.  You have tried to apologize for what you did with your teacher but it's plain simple that you have to face the consequences of what you did.  You have to realize that this is not the end of the world for you.  We all thrive to reach perfection but there's a lot of obstacles that will be thrown our way.  This is just one of the challenges that you will face in your life.  So if you give up now how will you deal with the bigger challenges that will be thrown at you in the future?  This is nothing compared to what you will be facing in the future so keep your head up and bounce back from this mistake.
483466
The first thing you need to do is establish your disipline plan; rules and consequences. Be very firm with these. You have to have a good disiplined class before any of the other stuff even matters. In other words if your students are not disiplined then it will not matter what you teach because they will not be listening anyway. As far as what you teach, that depends on what grade you are teaching or your subject matter. Get with some other teachers in your area or grade level and they will help you out I'm sure.\n\ntosmith \nhighschool math teacher
260963
My father, making this same presentation to my class when I was in the first grade, spent half an hour on this complicated hypo about a stolen bike.  When he was done, the only question from the entire class was one kid who wanted to know if all judges have white hair.\n\nFor kids that young, try to find a rule and a dispute about the rule that they might understand.  Maybe something like:  The best student gets first pick of the toys at playtime.  Then you could talk about all the definitions of "best student" - highest grades, tries hardest, most attentive, etc.  And you could talk about things like whether she gets to pick once at the beginning of playtime or just can keep picking up whichever toy she wants. \n\nThat should lead to a discussion of rules, disputes, the role of lawyers to help people make their arguments, and the role of judges to decide them and why it's all better than just two kids fighting over a toy in the middle of the room.\n\nThat's how I'd do it, anyway.
275565
Sometimes you have a teacher you just absolutely hates. She doesn't want to help you, she doesn't want to explain things. She seems to be so hung up on discipline and "No talking" that it's all you every hear from her.\nBut you know what, maybe she has a very difficult group of children in class - a group who are on the border of being out of control - and the only way to handle such a group is to be "too" strict. \nTake a look at your class (OK, I know you all hate her, but try to look at the class as if you're on the outside). Are there any kids there who are rowdy and unbehaved? Are there any kids who don't pay attention to her, and then waste everyone's time by asking unnecessary (or silly - really SILLY) questions? Some teachers are not very good at handling these kind of students, and the only way they know is to keep everyone quiet, and answer all questions with a "Find out on your own". Or maybe she's just so fedup with having to deal with these difficult students that she sees al students as being obnoxious. Why does this happen? Because children will always be children, and there will always be the ones who send teachers up the walls.\nWhat can you do? Go talk to her on a quiet day, at a time that she should be relaxed. A nice not-too-hot day when everyone seems to be in a good mood. Tell her you are really in a fix and really need to find some answers. And that you value her answers far more than another student's answers. Remind her that students don't know how to explain something as well as a teacher does. Boost her a little - make her feel good. And maybe, just maybe, you could get a little compassion from her. \nBut, if she really is a .... not so nice teacher (and don't use the b.. word - it makes it harder for you to sit in her class if you think of her as a b...)Well, then maybe you could get your whole class to have a chat with a student's councelor or someone at your school - very confidential, of course. I can't say they will be able to help much, but if they know how the students really feel, it could help to get her "removed" from her position.\nGood luck, I really hope you can solve your problem. It sure isn't cool to study with a teacher like that!!!
684449
Rule the classroom with an iron glove. Be friendly but not overly friend. Before you start the class make sure you have a lesson plan. If the absent teacher fails to leave one, make them read, or ask them what they did yesterday, or if they have an important test coming up. Just don't be over friendly. They'll eat you.
1014085
I have three main rules in my classroom.....\n1. Treat others as you would want to be treated.(golden rule)\n2. You are responsible for your stuff and your space. (teaches responsibility)\n3. BE HONEST no matter what\n  this one can only be enforced if a parent remains a safe place to be honest. Be careful not to punsih your kids for being honest. Work out discipline ideas with them so they understand that the punishment is not because they told the truth but because of what they did wrong. Honesty is a very hard habit to create. It has to be an understanding and forgiving environment.
769597
When my class is getting a little crazy. I don't try to stop everyone, I randomly pick one or two kids that are misbehaving and punish them. This tactic normally scares the crap out of my students and they've gotten better at noticing when I get that crazy look in my eye.
987077
Have a good attitude. Most teachers have great ideas that cannot fly without students being willing to go on the journey.  Nobody can have fun if they are constantly being corrected or yelled at nor can a teacher be fun if they are always weary of behavior.
1151263
I will approach this person by first trying to understand what he is going through before allowing any external intervention.\n\n1.Talk to him. Ask him what exactly is he trying to do and find out what happened to him. Ask if he needs help. I mean what if he really has got some personal problems that held him up?\n2. If it doesn't work, report to the instructor.\n3. If it still doesn't work, just kick him out of the group.\n\nI don't agree with giving him more work. At the end of the day, what you really want to achieve is a project work well done, not argue about who did more or less of the work. So, I won't risk my grades for that.
351607
Pay attention in class. Jot down what you don't understand and ask them later if timer permits. Also, listen carefully if the teacher already answered one of your questions.