Out of control class?

I teach 11th grade and I have one group of students who are truly a chore. Given they have been put down a lot by the school because they are the “underprivileged” group; however, they really give me a hard time. I taught this class last year and had no problems, I loved my kids. I always approach them with “you are juniors, you are adults, don’t give me any problems, we will learn some history, and life is grand…” however, this year’s class is much different than the class I had last year. I had to change my entire curriculum because of cheating. I have had to create seating charts because of physical violence. I had one child turn me in for being physically abusive towards him (which was a complete lie) they have destroyed my room, drove one of my students to attempt suicide, and on and on… today after warning the same child 3 time to put away his cell phone (after yelling at him for walking on the desks) I finally asked him to give me the phone. (I didn’t say anything just walked to him with my hand out) he completely flipped out on me then many of the other students in class started, yelling about how I treated them unfairly and how every teacher in the school is out to get them etc etc etc…





They didn’t stop until the bell rang. I dred this class every day and I feel horrible about it. I know these kids have a tough home life, I know most of them would probably be ok on their own. But I have 28 students and 25 of them are trouble makers. I have no idea what to do besides writing up the entire class (which is ridiculous). It kills me because all of my other classes have the best classroom management. My 8th graders act much more mature then these guys. I have gotten to the point where I fear they will burn down my house or something, and I really don’t know where I wronged these kids. I don’t know what else to do with them, does anyone have any classroom management ideas?


Out of control class?
I sympathize with you, and then some. I taught at Richmond High (of ';Coach Carter'; fame) for four years and have had similar situations, but basically managed to make some positive things happen. If you're interested, take a look at an article I wrote that shows one of the success stories http://snurl.com/netc1 Perhaps what I did may give you some ideas to make the curriculum more engaging. Feel free to contact me if you'd like more support in that area.





Now... for your problem. It's too late to try and turn things around by yourself... the students have already taken control. Good thing your other classes are going well. There have been some excellent suggestions here made already... I'd definitely go with some of them.





Here is something else, if you can't get the Principal (or Vice-Principal or Supervisor, etc.) to stand outside the door, try and get a parent in there. Having a second adult in a ';sweathog'; class is incredibly beneficial and a strong calming force. Write a letter similar to the question you asked here and assign it for homework (yeah right... like the students will do it) and ask for parents to volunteer to come to your class one or two days a month. Another option is to call parents, *every* parent and discuss the class with them. I once spent an entire spring vacation calling every single parent of all my students (I had over 150).





Yeah... it's time consuming, but you sound like a teacher who cares rather than one who is on the verge of giving up. The students have taken no vested interest or responsibility for their own education in your class. They need to see the need to grow up, and you need to give them an opportunity to do so.Out of control class?



I totally sympathize with you. Its my first year teaching 9th grade algebra in high-need area.





One things that's been working for me is using the PAT Time idea in Fred Jones' ';Tools for Teaching'; book. You can get it at a library.





There are many things in the book about classroom organization, setting limits, and creating motivation.





I read it constantly last year and during the summer, and when I have really tried his strategies they turned my class around. I'm not doing everything, but in general it has more applicable advice than any other, and its really working with my kids.





Good luck!
Unfortunately it is very difficult to change the behavior of an entire class this far into the year. This is what I would do: At the beginning of a class stand up at the white board and ask the student what rules they think they should have, and then have them all abide by them---this will work in a perfect world but i don't think it will in your class. You need to get tough and don't show them that they are wearing on you, because they can see it. Give no warnings, the minute you see a phone go up to them with your hand out to take it, the minute somebody disrupts send them to detention or another classroom. If that doesn't work ask the principal or counselor to sit in the class to observe then give you some tips.





Good luck and hang in there
Could you record it on video and show it to the principal? Possibly get some advice? You can't really have him/her sit in because the kids never act the same then. You need some support, but sadly, you may not get it if you don't have the absolute proof. Good luck to you!
Oh honey. I have been there. In fact, I've been there with no Administration support. Do they have to have your class to graduate? If so, give them some work that will take the entire class time to finish and tell them it is due at the end of the period. 5 minutes before class ends, take up the papers. Grade them that night, record the grades and give the papers back the next day. DO THAT EVERY DAY.





BUT BEFORE YOU DO THAT. Get the support of your administrators. Tell them your situation. Ask them if you can send any of them to ISS or Detention or the office (or whatever). ON THE FIRST DAY THAT YOU DO THE ABOVE. Tell the principal that you will need him/her to stand outside your room five minutes after class starts and all during that period. Then when you start kicking them out of class, they won't realize the FREAKING PRINCIPAL IS OUTSIDE THE DOOR!!





NO EXPLANATIONS, NO TALKING TO THEM, NO TRYING TO REASON WITH THEM. You're a new you. It's a new day and you're going to have a great rest of the year even if it hairlips the governor!





Good luck hon.
wow you go through that and you don't tell anyone or ask for help at your school.I'm in 7th grade myself and i can understand how it is to deal with people like this.I know your problem like omg how is a kid gunna understand but i'm different and i have my self control and i know when enough is enough.I'm in a jrotc and i'm in charge of like 75 people and when they don't listen and i can't take it i ask for help or just yell at them because they need to learn when enough is enough.