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Original poster

how to be very strict

96 replies

hercules · 25/02/2005 19:16

I always considered myself to be a strict but fair teacher but I'm clearly not strict enough for the kids I'm now teaching. I've been struggling with a few kids in a class I teach and the lsa said I need to be more strict. I know she's right but not sure how to be more strict without being a bitch.
I do all the recommended stuff but it's not enough. What else can I do?

OP posts:
popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:19

hercules - what subject do you teach?

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:19

And then just plan the camping holiday! Have you picked a tent yet?

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:21

Oh, and the advice from HOY when I was 'training' them was make it DULL! Get them writing non stop with no time to think. It worked for this class. As they start to imporve, start to fun it up a bit, but with all the dicipline still in place.

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:23

I was going to say that too - make it tedious and let them know why. When they can 'handle' it then they can go back onto the real learning stuff.

I have a brilliant book here.....The teacher's toolkit - it is about teaching and learning styles. Not really for now but once you have 'got the kids back' IYKWIM it is worth looking at. Lots of activities for turning on the kids with different learning styles.

Out of interest, what are the abilities of the disruptive children in the class?

JoolsToo · 25/02/2005 20:23

I'm not and never have been, a teacher, but I have been a pupil - yonks ago granted.

Looking back at my school years, I know that I was 'cheeky' - answering back and the like - but not bad. There are a few teachers from those times that I remember with real affection, and surprise, surprise they were the ones who held me in check and I guess I respected that.

I couldn't tell you that they did anything specific to do that and for want of a better phrase - they just had this air about them - you just knew not to act up. There were others, who were very nice people but just couldn't control a class and I'm ashamed to say we all took advantage of that.

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:25

i think Joolstoo has hit the nail on the head actually......about certain teachers having an 'air; about them.....it is trying to deconstruct what that involves that is the real challenge of teaching!

Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 20:26

AGain, they have to do something awful to get excluded for one lesson.
I just feel that sometimes I'm the only one struggling even though I get told otherwise and that I'm a crap teacher although i know I'm not.

I'm applying for a job in a special needs school and it is just what I want to do so I'm really hoping I get it. It will give me the chance to do what I love in a better environment.

I have bought an outwell family dome tent from ebay for £150 including postage and am just waiting for it now.

We've decided to wait until summer half term though to go camping!

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 20:28

Yes, I've read Bill Rogers and others but a lot of what they say eventually involves the SMT which isnt going to happen where I am.

I dont have the "air" of a teacher like you describe and that's what makes it much harder. I know I am too nice although I do generally manage.

OP posts:
happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:32

It is a sod when SMT don't play ball. We arange it on an in house bases tbh.

But just think of that wonderful tent! I've got an outwell too, shall we start a clique?

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:36

Oh the 'air' thing. I must say it helps that I am old, I think. I've not been teaching that long, but came into it very late and am old enough to be their mother, have been called mum loads of times!

I have also perfected my withering look. I time them if they play up and keep them in break, taking them on duty with me if I have to (that is a good one they hate it!). I'm creating the impession in the lower school of being a real hard arse and it is a real help. That way I can relax a bit in the upper school, where I dole out sweeties for good behaviour and cultivate an 'mad sceintist' persona'.

So much of it is play acting, I think

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:39

i agree about pla acting - TOTally!

Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 20:39

I've only been teaching for under 3 years and am 30.

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popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:41

HMb - i was trying to find your thread where you asked about this with your difficult class but I cant find it........
can you?

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:42

I find myself doing an exagerated caracture of myself, sort of me on speed/steroids. Kids like teachers to be characters I think.

Oh one other management technique, write the lesson aims on the board every lesson. Fisrt thing they do is get books out and copy them down. It calms them right down. I think because it reminds them of Primary, similarly spelling tests, mini quizes, something that they all have to do, so that none of them drift off

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:43

ditto eerything hmb just said

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:43

Ah, I have the advantage of age them, I'm 43 this year! Knew that those grey hairs would come in useful.

Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 20:44

Do, date, title, aim, homework all ready. Class as a whole is okay.it's only a couple of kids.

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happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:44

Most recent one was my praising y9, not sure where the others are

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:44

I am 30 but look younger apparently but have been around for yonks lol

happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:44

Isolate them in some way, are they sitting alone?

Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 20:53

Yep, sitting alone.

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happymerryberries · 25/02/2005 20:55

Oh hell, you are doing al the right things. Can you give the good kids 5 minutes to chat and work the trouble makers?

popsycal · 25/02/2005 20:57

what does he 'do'
describe a typical scenario.....

Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 21:01

Okay, first of all he walks right past the classroom and refuses to come in. He messes about on the corridor and then comes in after a few minutes. He then goes a very long way to his desk and disrupts as much as he can along the way eg pushing books off desks, pushing tables etc. One of his targets for me was his entrance!

Once seated, he has no equipment and wont work. He is able but chooses not to work. During the lesson he tries to distract others by calling them names, throwing paper, pushing his table.

He has walked off before when I try to keep him behind and ignores instructions.

OP posts:
Original poster
hercules · 25/02/2005 21:01

His mum say's she cant do anything.

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