Andrea+Kuhn


 * Just as the class begins a quiet activity (a 10 minute writing) a student, the same one who’s done this several times this week, gets up and sharpens his pencil. **

I would handle this situation by asking the student to step out with me into the hallway. I would make sure the door is shut and I would ask the student why he felt it necessary to have to sharpen his pencil whenever the class starts a quiet activity. This way I can judge if the student really is doing it to be obnoxious or because he possibly has ADD/ADHD and needs to move around often. I would then ask the student to tell me how he could handle the situation differently the next time (having more than one sharpened ready pencil with him, sharpening his pencil as soon as he gets in the room, etc). This way the student had come to the realization on his own rather than I having to preach to him about how to act. I will tell the student than this behavior needs to stop because it is breaking the concentration of his fellow classmates. I will than tell the student that if he doesn’t figure out a way to avoid this behavior it will result in reprimanding. I would see if this effectively handles the situation and if not than I would try reprimanding using demerits or points off, etc. I feel there would be no reason at this point to contact a parent, unless the situation escalated and the student won’t stop the behavior.

I like the choice you have made to take student out of class and to asked student for his/her solution to the problem

Check out Amanda's suggestion and also consider that you may escalate the problem by giving the student this attention. However, no student is the same, so both your actions would work in different situations. (CK)


 * Three students continually talk during class, and then insist they aren’t talking. **

The first thing I would do with these students is move all of them away from each other. I would tell them as well that I don’t appreciate them lying to me about talking. It’s one thing to continually talk in class and another to deny it when they blatantly have been. I wouldn’t drag the situation out but I would tell them that if they continue to talk during class (even after you’ve moved them around) I will have no choice but to continue on with reprimanding them (i.e. demerits, points off, etc.) I would possibly think about asking the students to stay after class so I can talk to them about lying to me. I would tell the students that I want to trust them and that lying to me upsets that balance of trust I had with them before. I wouldn’t want the lying behavior to continue and eventually get them in trouble in life because people let them get away with it. Again I don’t think this case would have to be moved on to an administrator or parents of the students unless the situation could not be resolved in time. Then I would tell the students that I’m going to contact their parents about the situation and reprimand them accordingly.

Your choice to move them is great. But from my experience, most students will lie to avoid unpleasant circumstances, so please do not be surprised by their reactions. Sometimes it is best ignore their lies and just move them. If they question your choice to more the, let them know that the class will operate better with them in new seats. I don't know what you mean by "points off," but unless they are points for a deportment or behavior grade, be aware that a student's class grade may not be affected by is/her behavior. (CK)