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What Do You Do?

Posted by: Charlie on November 24, 2007 at 8:26PM EST

What do you do when you have 29 Fourth graders in a hot portable classroom and 10 of them are trouble makers? When every classroom management idea fails, after you have rearranged the chairs, how instruction takes place, explained and posted the classroom rules, rewarded good behavior, punished bad and tried just to get through the day. The school gives little or no support, the grade level has teachers that are just cruising to retirement, so they really won't help except maybe to answer a question or two. Parents point to "No Child Left Behind" as a way to put total blame on the Teacher, which they believe they have no part in. The student is wild, the parent is dumfounded and full of blame and the Principal says "You just have to change how you're doing things", yet offers no ideas or solutions. (Besides quit) what do you do?

(4) Comments

Posted by: Charlie on November 28, 2007 1:45AM EST

I DO use music in the classroom in several ways but I have to be careful not to let things get out of control as this group is 9 years old going on 22 and they are very very fussy. Mostly they don't like whatever you choose and if give them a choice they will pick something inappropriate for school such as songs called "The Bartender".

I also use my Yamaha Keyboard playing the song after the Pledge of Allegiance. When doing music they prefer music from my MP3 player over my playing the keyboard. I am going to try Christmas songs now both traditional as well as funny and see how it goes. I tried improvising quiet music during a test and a few said they hated it and please stop the annoying music. Music works with younger kids very well but not my Fourth grade. Believe me, I have tried.

Posted by: Lily on November 27, 2007 9:36AM EST

Totally agree with sj and Juff and just want to commend you for teaching and caring about your students. Love the music idea. I stopped by my son's 3rd grade, public school classroom today on my way to work and there was very quiet classical music in the background and dim lights. The kids were quietly reading and I was amazed at the calmness of it all! I even commended her on all they were accomplishing. Hang in there, Charlie!

Posted by: juff on November 27, 2007 8:06AM EST

Hi Charlie----I read your profile and see that music is a passion of yours. I think you should find a way to incorporate music in your classroom. At my children's school there are several teachers who play classical music during the day setting the tone for a calmer classroom. When you enter the classrooms and they are working the music seems to be relaxing them. There may be other ways to incorporate your love of music to influence your kids. Try looking up on the internet " music and teaching" or something similar.

I am a full time mom but I do substitute at my children's elementary school. Having control of a classroom is not easy, especially with a number of trouble makers. You care for the children and that is a major step in the right direction. I think if you can find a way to make your love of music work in the classroom that you will on to big things! Keep us posted!

Posted by: sj on November 26, 2007 10:26AM EST

Hey Charlie--- sounds like you are at your wits' end! First of all-- bravo to you for taking on the job of being a teacher-- thank you. Secondly-- I have no answers to your question. I think there is an epidemic of passing the buck in society today, and our kids ultimately will pay the price with lack of discipline and lack of education. I know for sure that if I had acted up at school, it would have been dealt with severly at home. And my kids know that too!
I would say that there are many teachers in your position-- who want to teach, but are hampered by lack of support from parents and administrators. They either quit all together, or go work for less pay, but more control, at a private school. My kids are in private school, and the teachers just don't have to deal with out of control classrooms!
It's just such a shame that public schools do not support their most valuable asset--- caring teachers who want to help kids learn. I hope someone else has some ideas or suggestions!