In need of help

[zahndie]

I'm a brand new teacher (I graduated in December) and I recently got a teaching job and today was my first day. Before I started everyone (the teachers and administration) were incredibly friendly and helpful, but as of today they completely ignored me.

I found out why.

Apparently the class I had taken on was an extreme problem class. The last teacher left (and is considering quitting teaching all together) because this class was so bad. This is a teacher that at other schools had outstanding evaluations. The teachers and admin in the building basically knew the class was like this but let me (a newbie teacher) enter into the classroom without almost no experience and no advice or insight into these students (even though I asked multiple times about the student population of my classroom).

I have an autistic child (who threw temper tantrums that could put a two year old to shame and isn't officially diagnosed) a felon (yes, a 7 year old felon) among other major emotionally disabled and behavior problem children. My entire day consisted of trying to modify behavior, repeating certain ideas and trying out new ones. I tried positive reinforcement (and I keep trying to stick to it), small rewards, taking away things, heads down, rewarding them with games (if they were good) and nothing worked. They just don't seem to care about anything, positive or negative. I'm feeling extremely afraid right now that the whole rest of the year will go like this.

I know that for a while I will have to drill procedure and behavior into their heads, but the point I'm starting from is absolutely ridiculous.

I need some advice on some other types of behavior modification. Tomorrow I am going to try a rewards system for very short periods of time in order to get the point across and eventually build to longer periods of time. I'm also going to try sticker charts for certain students. Does anyone else have any other ideas I could try that would work?

[javamomma]

Wow I cant believe that they would do this to a new teacher. I would work on procedures/practice over and over. You sound like you did all the right things today.

[aelliott]

Wow...is all that I can really say! I completely agree with your ideas...let us know how they go!!! I'll be definitely thinking about you!!!! *hugs*

[DNordlander]

If you're starting a reward system in the classroom, make sure that (at first) they are able to earn a reward quickly. You've got to "hook" them into the idea of behaving...even if it is only for a reward. Make sure that there are students who earn a reward the very first day. If they are having to work towards it over a longer period of time, they won't be interested in it. Give the reward out for any little reason at first. Then work towards hading it out less frequently.

If you need any ideas of reward systems, feel free to ask me. I have several that I have used that really work!!!

[Magnolia]

I rarely post to online message boards, but after reading about Zahndie's experience, I felt such a kinship, that I just had to post a reply.

This is also my first year as a teacher, (a second career for me). When I started in August, I was so excited with this challenging new position. The principal and teachers at my school were so kind and helpful while I set up my classroom. But once school started, it was more than obvious that my class had been stacked with the most difficult of children. Some who really need psychological help. I had never in my life experienced six year olds like these. And those once helpful staff members suddenly refused to answers questions or assist me in any way. I was on my own.

I contacted retired teachers and mentors for help, and tried every recommendation they had, but to no avail. The children did not care about any positive or negative behavior strategies.

My advice is to hang in there...but I know it is stressful. How do you hone your teaching skills, if you can't teach due to students' behaviors? But please don't quit....our kids need good teachers!! I gave it until Christmas break and at that time I asked for a transfer. I am now at a different school and it is like night and day.

Good luck!

[iteachsocialstudies]

I'm sure you're doing great. Don't be afraid to "waste" (because it's not wasting) an entire week or even more simply working on behavior/procedures. Who cares if you don't get any real learning done~ you're setting them up for success down the road. Pick something and stick with it for more than a day. After a few days if it's truly not working, then move on. I don't know how your school is on food, but I had a tough class who I rewarded with baked Cheetos. They had to earn five checks (I just had a piece of paper taped to the top of their desks~ I could even make this portable with a clipboard), and every minute I would hand out "checks" to those on task. at five minutes, whoever had five got a cheeto or two. Obviously, we didn't do much more than hand out cheetos for an enitre day. Then I moved it up to earning 6 checks, etc. Eventually, it was a cheeto every 10 minutes, then a cheeto every 30 mintues, and by the end of the year I didn't have to do any of it anymore. It won't work in every situation, but good luck! BTW~ you may need a few timers to set. It's annoying, believe me.

[SLP]

Zahndie,
You didn't mention if this is a special ed class or a mainstream setting. We have many kids with behavior & social emotional disorders at our "center". Substitutes come once & run kicking and screaming into the night, never to return!

Here are a few hints:
*Take data on behaviors: how frequent they occur, how long the behavior incident lasts, what precipitates behavior, & what procedures work to stop a behavior. You may need to use a clicker/counter or just use stroke marks on a paper.

*Present your data to an administrator (principal, school counselor, special ed supervisor, etc.) and request help.

* Safety First! If you see violent or aggressive behaviors, you must take measures to ensure the safety of the other children and your own safety.

*If you are using specific behavior techniques for problem behaviors which go beyond "typical" classroom management, the child should have an IEP which specifies the child's individualized behavior plan. This should be developed by a team of specialists from your school, the parents, and any outside specialists whom the parents may have already consulted.

*Be familiar with your state's laws regarding "restraints". Many times "restraints" are not what you think they are. Simply holding a child's hands or arms can be considered "restraints".

*Request help. If you are in a public school, there should be funding for assistants for children with disruptive or other behaviors. Check with your special ed supervisor.

*Ask an administrator for a behavior specialist to observe your class and give you pointers on how to deal with difficult behaviors. These specialists have seen it all...there's not much that shocks them!

*Talk with the children about making good choices. Reward their good choices and tell them there will be consequences for bad choices. The "choice" concept will carry over to their home/community life. Children need to learn to make good choices at an early age. They also need to learn that bad choices have unwelcome consequences.

*Keep a positive attittude! Maybe you will be the one who finally "gets" how to handle these kids. YOU CAN DO IT! Just like the teachers at my school do. We all were new once...RISE TO THE CHALLENGE!
Then, down the road, you can train others!

Good Luck!

[Missjulie]

Right now i am taking a guding childrens behavior class one of the things you could do is sit down with the children and ask them what rules you should have allowed in the class for instead if they No running turn into postive put down We will use our walking feet in the classroom I think mabey let them set up the secudual of the day do they want to have math frist or language arts frist depending on the subject i know some of them like lunch has to stay the same but mabey u could switch the other subjects around. One thing is dont lose your patient children with behavior problems need you to be calm and relaxed and talk softely so u dont fight fire with fire mabey a good thing would have a short excerise period before the day begins get there wiggles and out of them then move on to math or something but let them help you desgin class rules and sechudle if u are able to do that.

[SLP]

Miss Julie,
Could you please use periods at the end of each sentence? Other punctuation would also be helpful.
You have some nice suggestions, but they're very difficult to read.

[landreth2007]

Bless your heart! It is horrible that a first year teacher have a class that difficult. Everyone has given some excellent suggestions. The only thing I would add is PRAY! Not just for yourself but for each student's needs. I will certainly put your situation in my prayers.

[jlw1957]

Wow!
Check out the Teacher Resources section under classroom management. You might find something to help you out. Lots of good suggestions have been posted by others.

[SuzyQII]

Okay, you can do this one day at a time. Good luck!
1. Schedule the day - times on the board for everything so students know what will be coming up - structure is essential for these types of classes.
2. Never teach over the behaviors - they must be dealt with and never ignored.
3. Ask you admin if you should write behaviors up as an admin referral and what the consequences will be (use words in referrals such as non-compliant, disrespectful, disruptive, etc.) and only what you saw - no comments - facts only.
Google:
1. ABC (antecedent, behavior, consequences) for charts on how to document.
2. EBD (Emotional behavior disorder) for ideas
3. point sheets - visuals for each student and quick rewards that they want - look for a student inventory of likes and dislikes for them to complete
7. Caldacott books - find lots of picture books and read to them and talk!
8. get them journal books for them to write in and answer them in the journals
9. music and dance and art (follow the leader type of dance) clapping to beats, moving structured games

Again - Good Luck and take deep breathes all the time!!!!!!!

[newindc]

hi! I'm also a first year teacher and I struggle with many of the same situations you described above. I teach in a general education classroom at an urban school. One thing I found that worked BEAUTIFULLY was positive phone calls home for kids who are doing the right thing (I have a 45 minute drive every afternoon - sometimes longer oh and make sure you keep a communication log of who you talk to when and what you're talking about). MAKE A HUGE DEAL OUT OF KIDS WHO ARE DOING THE RIGHT THING. Notice the small improvements other children are making. If you ever seemt o be having a horrendous week do something like bring in rice krispies treats or another kid friendly somewhat healthy snack for kids who have good behavior. There is no law int eaching that every kid has to have a snack. One other thing I've done is put up the letters of the alphabet on the board then erase letters to lead to a scrambled up word like pizza. For every time the kids are caught on task or doing something well erase a letter until you get to your scrambled up word then have them unscramble.

I also give out popsicle points (popsicle sticks) during small group or partner work time and each day they have a goal and a small reward. However, if your pin is on red (we have red, yellow, green) you can not participate.

If you need data forms or any tracking sheets others mentioned using above I have plenty. I have 5 kids on behavior intervention plans and 3 kids with escape plans due to my fellon returning tomorrow.