Never had a class like it!

[Lizziegeorge]

We're now 6 months in and I still haven't warmed to some of the children in my class. They describe themselves as very clever and like to to talk. Only one of those descriptions is true. They are the rudest and most arrogant group of children I've ever taught and I feel so sorry for the 2/3 who are delightful, engaged etc etc. I also swing between feeling sorry for myself at having such a class and feeling I can't do it anymore. I used to be quite good (got a few outstandings!!) but now feel I'm failing. Their last teacher almost had a breakdown and ended up leaving because of them so I know it's not just me but I feel useless. Management are lovely but not hot on behaviour and school is full of very liberal middle class London parents whose children rule the roost. Be very grateful for some advice.

[whodrankallthemilk]

countdown to the summer holidays?

[PurpleAlert]

How old? Which year group?

[Lizziegeorge]

Year 5/6

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

My sympathies . I taught sports in a private school and some f the kids beliefs/ behaviours were vile.
I was was told by a delightful child that I couldn't tell him off as his daddy paid my wages, there for I worked for him - little shit.

How old are they?

My worst class were 9/10, so I turned in to mean bitch from hell with the ones that were un relentless. They sucked any fun/ energy from me.

If they were rude, they sat out. If they spoke they sat out. I made a big list if rules that were not hard to adhere to. So when one of them broke one - they were segregated (sounds harsh I know ) so when one of their 'mummy's' came in I could point to my very reasonable rules list and they didn't have a leg to stand on.

Don't know if that could apply to you, but I know that helpless feeling

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

Divide and conquer lizzy

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

It's a shame as most if the time the teacher has to apply good class management rather than being free to have creative, fun lessons.

I sat in on this class in particular to see what the dynamics were in an ordinary class setting . And while the teacher controlled the class fab, 80% of it was class management rather than actual learning. And this is one of the reasons I'm really considering HE with my dd, because if your child gets in a bad batch , they are basically screwed.

[yangsun]

They sound horrific, any group of children who describe themselves as very clever to their teacher are seriously over-confident. Can you come up with a plan with clear and simple rules as suggested above and discuss it with your line manager (you say they're not hot on discipline but if you decide your own consequences will they back you up?

[LEMmingaround]

Blimey, heaven forbid that children are over confident. You need to nip that in the bud! Children must know their place.

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

lem you have completely the wrong end of the stick. A class of confident kids are a joy to teach.

A class with only a few kids that rude or arrogant can spoil the productivity for the whole class and teacher.The lesson then turns in to class management instead on FUNdamental learning which it's supposed to be.

[PurpleAlert]

Do you do next steps marking? A "what went well" and "Even better if" comment on their work might knock them off their little pedastals.

Even if they are able it doesn't mean they can't improve or move to the next level.

[Pointeshoes]

Getting them to work in teams on a task/ project may help, just thinking about what we did at school. If they mess around then their peers may tell them to work or they won't pass the task? The project has got to be part of what they want to do though... Praise the good ones - treats.

[MrsCakesPremonition]

What is the context for them all simultaneously describing themselves as clever? Did they all individually come up with the same description, or was it a couple of dominant characters taking over during a whole class discussion?

[HumphreyCobbler]

I agree with Cigarettes - you need a clear plan to deal with them. I would get SMT involved. Don't lose your confidence in yourself, easier said than done I know, but remember your outstanding obs and take heart.

LM - honestly, teaching confident children who are keen to have a go at new stuff, who are happy to speak out and encourage others is wonderful and ALL teachers appreciate it. Teaching children who always think they know better than you, who speak down to others and who hold beliefs like "my dad pays your wages" is horrible and makes things unbelievably grim for the rest of the class.

[LEMmingaround]

Ah yeah humphry id want to kick those up the backside too. Maybe that would help

[LEMmingaround]

Ah yeah humphry id want to kick those up the backside too. Maybe that would help

[LEMmingaround]

Ah yeah humphry id want to kick those up the backside too. Maybe that would help

[LEMmingaround]

Ah yeah humphry id want to kick those up the backside too. Maybe that would help

[LEMmingaround]

Oops

[Cigarettesandsmirnoff]

Tad too excited lem ?