To be honest, I am feeling a little bit afraid now about the student that I will handle tomorrow. Last meeting, he acted crazily around the room. Threw number blocks from the table and wouldn't stop when I asked him to. After that, he threw his pencil (which is belong to us) to the ceiling. I told him, he may not did that, because if the pencil hit someone's head, that would be hurt. And again, he wouldn't listen. Finally, I didn't say anything again then try to focus with another student that also studied in the class. I was lucky that this another student didn't go crazy like him. So, all I did was ignore him. Finally, he sat on his chair then start to break our pencils. I hate his smile when he finally broke a pencil. What a destructive kid, I thought.
Now, it's only 13 hours away that I have to meet him. Maybe he doesn't like me anymore since one or two meeting before, I was "pretending" to report him to the owner because he drew on the wall. I already told him that if he wants to draw, I can give him paper, and he can give the picture to me so I can save it. On the first time he gave his drawing to me and I said I want to keep it in my room, he just looks really happy. And now, he started to act crazy.
I don't know exactly why. First reason, maybe he feel a little bit uncomfortable with me after I "reported" him. Second, maybe he was not ready that I had to share my focus with other student in the classroom as he always has my entire attention.
My plan now is to find a coloring page from internet, then print it, then give it to him when he starts to act crazy tomorrow. I really need input right now, because I feel frighten by my own student.
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yeah, its ok now. i gave him a page of coloring. The theme was a family. I know he always tell stories about his family. And he was so happy and didn't stop saying thank you to me. guess will give him that coloring page every time he comes to the course. hehehe
Hey Astrid :)
Hope everything is going okay with your student!
Take care x
Sorry! I just read your next post. I do think your boyfriend's idea is a good one, just do it for the whole class. Make sure you are fair though!
I've been reading a lot into class control recently, and one thing that I have seen and seems like a good idea (I was studying for a PGCE so I've read a fair bit of literature to back this up) is behavior charts. If you have something that goes both ways, with positive and negative points, tell the students that if they are on a negative number of points at the end of the week they are going to be reported or something like that, and if they are on a positive you will give them a sweet or sticker or something small. Tell them at the end of the classes the person with the most points gets a prize (again, something small, but that you know they will like). There are a few variations on this out there. It might be difficult to get this in place now, but it is something to bear in mind. You could try and introduce it.
How old are your students?
This boy sounds like he is trying to manipulate you. He may be used to getting away with it at home, or it may a personality disorder. Trouble is that some people know you think are slightly crazy and will try to exploit it, thinking they can use it as an excuse. I'm not an experienced teacher, obviously, but I think Honor is right and that you must be firm and establish your authority right from the start.
This week I took a class for the first time that I normally help with. About twice as many people turned up than I expected, and even though they are adults it seems no code of conduct has ever been established in the class and now it's almost impossible to manage, just because of a few students.
This is my first big lesson in teaching! Looks like your having a similar problem, but you have the chance to correct it now; I really hope you find the answer as it must be stress. Good luck!
@honor: yes, that is so true. My boss always said that don't be afraid if a student will stop the course, be afraid of that you didn't do the best.
Lay down the law! Don't let him mess you around. If he misbehaves maybe make him go and stand in the corner? That was the punishment I got when I was a kid and I HATED it!! Also, make one of your superiors at the school aware of the problem so they can help you out if needs be.
Whatever happens - don't let him know you're scared of him. Kids can smell fear a mile off!
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