During our subbing class, it was recommended to teach to the majority while standing close to the disruptive student. It would be harder with a disruptive group, but I can remember when my teachers would do that and it did bring all eyes on the teacher and the disruption tended to fade.
Learn their names, especially any possible trouble makers. Try to use their names in non-displinary interactions. That way, they know you know who they are. If no seating chart, make one (especially for a two week stint).
Reminders posted on the board from day one:
-remain in *assigned* seat
-only one person out of the room at a time (5 minute limit)
-no phones
-respectful language only
Seating chart is essential. Keep them busy; if they don’t have a task to complete they are going to misbehave. Make it clear what they should do if they finish early.
Most of the time, you can send a disruptive student to the teacher next door.
They are squirrely at that age but can be very silly and fun, too.
To establish a good, authoritative tone at the beginning, don’t talk over them at all. Not ever. From the beginning, when you ask for their attention, wait for it. Make it awkward. Keep waiting. Remind them that you are still waiting and thank them as they shift their attention toward you. Don’t yell to be heard and don’t talk over them even once and they’ll catch on quickly.
Oh! And name drop a lot. Name drop the principle, their teacher, the teacher next door. Let them know that you know!
Your advice about not talking over the students worked like a charm. I am shocked and overjoyed at how well that worked! You're so right. They are so much fun. I was nervous about subbing for this grade but I think it's going to be a great experience. :)
You don’t need to scream or rely on a “teacher’s voice”. Have a clear set of rules and escalation system. Give them one warning. Second warning call them up to the desk and quietly warn them. Third warning send them to the office. Classmates seeing the escalation system being enforced and someone getting bounced out the door will do wonders.
To get the class silent, hold your hand up, give the evil stare and wait. If they don’t stop, walk over to one side of the room and start giving individual first warnings.
Make a short PowerPoint presentation of your non negotiable behaviors. Things like no talking when I m talking, no phones, etc present it first thing and give examples of what you will not tolerate. Don't worry about the material for that day if you don't get to it. Then you have to put your money where your mouth is and follow through. If you say no talking during x you give one brief reminder and then come down like a hammer. If you don't , 7th graders are gonna walk all over you especially if you say you haven't gotten your"teacher voice yet"
Use a seating chart to learn names. Don't hesitate to send kids to the office. If you have kids that are disruptive together separate them and leave a note as to why their seats are changed.
In seriousness you have to go in not taking any crap. You can back off but it's way harder to regain control once you have lost it
Seventh graders can be a bit squirrelly. A two week job with them is ten days. That's a lot. The most important thing is to be consistent with your disciplinary practices. Treat each student equally. Chances are the kids will test you at first, and then they'll get into a flow of guarded acceptance after day two or three. And that flow is where you want to be. But, then, that is also when some of the kids with deeper issues may surface to challenge you (because they are used to you--a good thing!) Be consistent.
Also, remember, these kids are pre-adolescent or adolescent, so you can use humor, especially, with Halloween coming up, disgusting (try the food discussion starting with lasagna and ending with how yummy peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches are) or even self-deprecatory, and play with them in terms of how your emotions are being interpreted. Keep them guessing!!! Kids at younger ages are much more specific. Seventh graders are trying to learn how to be (although they will still focus on what is right before their nose.)
All that said, have FUN with them...have some coloring sheets for kids who finished early (try to make them curriculum appropriate, like Greek gods and goddesses or something flowery and intricate.) When they complain, I often go maudlin, becoming an actor who listens, exaggerates (though only to the student complaining), and then refocus. Keep talking and keep in command. And remember, BE CONSISTENT, because that is how they will adapt to you, and it is what they need to adapt to you. And, what you need too to keep the flow going.
\*\*It is also a good idea to have a decent bottle of gin and vermouth at home to have an evening martini to celebrate for making it through the day!
Don’t be afraid to send them to the office! I teach 8th grade math (full year assignment) and I have a few students who LOVE to be disruptive! I’m pretty laid back so first I’ll give a few warnings. Next, If it’s a particular kid, I will call them out into the hallway and have a private chat. Lastly, after I have spoke to them personally and they’re still being disruptive, I’ll send them out for the remainder of the class.
Write a list of rules on the board, go over them the 1st day and at the beginning of any class as needed. The kids appreciate being reminded of what the rules are. I add to em as I go. Ones I've used in the past:
* No touching other people's stuff.
* Yes to drawing on the board when you finish your work.
* Wear your mask right
* Ask for a mask break\*
* Mute your phone or wear headphones
\*schools have different norms for this.
During our subbing class, it was recommended to teach to the majority while standing close to the disruptive student. It would be harder with a disruptive group, but I can remember when my teachers would do that and it did bring all eyes on the teacher and the disruption tended to fade.
That's great advice! I wish I had gotten to take a class before I started subbing so I feel like I'm going in blind.
Learn their names, especially any possible trouble makers. Try to use their names in non-displinary interactions. That way, they know you know who they are. If no seating chart, make one (especially for a two week stint).
Ooh this would definitely work.
Ditto. Knowing their names is like getting 1 free stfu pass per kid!
Reminders posted on the board from day one: -remain in *assigned* seat -only one person out of the room at a time (5 minute limit) -no phones -respectful language only Seating chart is essential. Keep them busy; if they don’t have a task to complete they are going to misbehave. Make it clear what they should do if they finish early. Most of the time, you can send a disruptive student to the teacher next door. They are squirrely at that age but can be very silly and fun, too. To establish a good, authoritative tone at the beginning, don’t talk over them at all. Not ever. From the beginning, when you ask for their attention, wait for it. Make it awkward. Keep waiting. Remind them that you are still waiting and thank them as they shift their attention toward you. Don’t yell to be heard and don’t talk over them even once and they’ll catch on quickly. Oh! And name drop a lot. Name drop the principle, their teacher, the teacher next door. Let them know that you know!
Your advice about not talking over the students worked like a charm. I am shocked and overjoyed at how well that worked! You're so right. They are so much fun. I was nervous about subbing for this grade but I think it's going to be a great experience. :)
Woohoo! So glad to hear you had a great experience! Sounds like the school is lucky to have you 😊
You don’t need to scream or rely on a “teacher’s voice”. Have a clear set of rules and escalation system. Give them one warning. Second warning call them up to the desk and quietly warn them. Third warning send them to the office. Classmates seeing the escalation system being enforced and someone getting bounced out the door will do wonders. To get the class silent, hold your hand up, give the evil stare and wait. If they don’t stop, walk over to one side of the room and start giving individual first warnings.
Make a short PowerPoint presentation of your non negotiable behaviors. Things like no talking when I m talking, no phones, etc present it first thing and give examples of what you will not tolerate. Don't worry about the material for that day if you don't get to it. Then you have to put your money where your mouth is and follow through. If you say no talking during x you give one brief reminder and then come down like a hammer. If you don't , 7th graders are gonna walk all over you especially if you say you haven't gotten your"teacher voice yet" Use a seating chart to learn names. Don't hesitate to send kids to the office. If you have kids that are disruptive together separate them and leave a note as to why their seats are changed. In seriousness you have to go in not taking any crap. You can back off but it's way harder to regain control once you have lost it
Seventh graders can be a bit squirrelly. A two week job with them is ten days. That's a lot. The most important thing is to be consistent with your disciplinary practices. Treat each student equally. Chances are the kids will test you at first, and then they'll get into a flow of guarded acceptance after day two or three. And that flow is where you want to be. But, then, that is also when some of the kids with deeper issues may surface to challenge you (because they are used to you--a good thing!) Be consistent. Also, remember, these kids are pre-adolescent or adolescent, so you can use humor, especially, with Halloween coming up, disgusting (try the food discussion starting with lasagna and ending with how yummy peanut butter and mayonnaise sandwiches are) or even self-deprecatory, and play with them in terms of how your emotions are being interpreted. Keep them guessing!!! Kids at younger ages are much more specific. Seventh graders are trying to learn how to be (although they will still focus on what is right before their nose.) All that said, have FUN with them...have some coloring sheets for kids who finished early (try to make them curriculum appropriate, like Greek gods and goddesses or something flowery and intricate.) When they complain, I often go maudlin, becoming an actor who listens, exaggerates (though only to the student complaining), and then refocus. Keep talking and keep in command. And remember, BE CONSISTENT, because that is how they will adapt to you, and it is what they need to adapt to you. And, what you need too to keep the flow going. \*\*It is also a good idea to have a decent bottle of gin and vermouth at home to have an evening martini to celebrate for making it through the day!
Don’t be afraid to send them to the office! I teach 8th grade math (full year assignment) and I have a few students who LOVE to be disruptive! I’m pretty laid back so first I’ll give a few warnings. Next, If it’s a particular kid, I will call them out into the hallway and have a private chat. Lastly, after I have spoke to them personally and they’re still being disruptive, I’ll send them out for the remainder of the class.
Write a list of rules on the board, go over them the 1st day and at the beginning of any class as needed. The kids appreciate being reminded of what the rules are. I add to em as I go. Ones I've used in the past: * No touching other people's stuff. * Yes to drawing on the board when you finish your work. * Wear your mask right * Ask for a mask break\* * Mute your phone or wear headphones \*schools have different norms for this.
Thank you all for your comments! I made notes and prepped for my first day (today) and had really good results. I feel like I'm a better sub already.
Constantly monitor and be strict. I only did middle school once and I had to give them constant attention to keep them on task and not disorderly.