Korean Job Discussion Forums

[JoelCosmeJr]

I, like many middle school teachers, 'teach' the whole school. 1st and 3rd years kids are all together, but 2nd year kids are seperated into two 'levels'. The high-level kids are great, awesome kids. The low-level kids for the most part are rude kids who do as they wish and are allowed to do so by my co-teacher (have 6 co-teachers, but same one for the misbehaved classes). She tells me to just let them do as they wish. she tells them if they dont want to study, to read a comic or sleep in my class. Now, I am understanding that the classes' english level is lower than the other classes, so i make the lesson simpler and try to get the kids involved as much to keep their attention. Just lately, their actions (spitting on the floor, reading, sleeping, ignoring me completely, etc) has caused me to begin each class with this co-teacher with nothing but feelings of stress. I want all, if not most, of the kids to get something out of the class. What do u guys reccomend to keep order in the classroom when the co-teacher has no real power over the kids? I have spoken with other co-teachers about this and they simply explain that they hate teaching the low-grade 2 kids, but offer no real helpful advice.

[Snowkr]

This is really ridiculous. I feel for you.
Your co-teacher should be taking more responsiblity. Who cares if the kids don't want to do as you say? They shouldn't have a choice.

You could implement some discipline procedures but if the co-teacher doesn't back you up, I think you're pretty much at a loss. If it were me, honestly, I'd walk out of that class and let the co-teacher have them to herself.

[Scouse Mouse]

I have the same problem in my school. The low level 2nd grade classes are a nightmare. Here is a solution that I have found to work...

My class is split into 6 tables. I draw a simple diagram to represent the 6 tables. If a kid wants to sleep, I let him. I realise that the best I can hope for with some of these kids is for them to not disrupt the learning that takes place.

If they choose to talk when I do, I slam the desk and countdown from 5 with my fingers. If they are still talking I "yellow card" the table. I shout "yellow card", and draw a Y in the box representing their table. I do not tell them what a Red card is, but they figure it could be bad and usually shut up. If not, then I repeat the process and I issue more cards (a 2nd yellow = "Red Card" and I change the Y to an R).

That "R" is acompanied by a -2. I then add -2 for every further disruption. They think it is funny.

At the end of the class, I have let all the clean tables (those with Yellow or no cards) leave. For those remaining I total up their scores, and that is their minutes after class that they have to stay.

Now for the killer... I pull up a stopwatch on my laptop and display it on the TV. I write their 'punishment' times on the board and I start the clock. If they make ANY sound at all (click a pen, cough, tap fingers on the desk, or even breathe too heavily) I reset the clock.

For a while they still find it funny, but I keep them there for as long as necessary (my record is 23 minutes for a 4 minute punishment). This means that they go home late, eat lunch late, miss their breaks, or are late for their next class and get a dose of 'love stick' from a korean teacher. The students on the table probably beat the 1 or 2 kids that were causing problems as well.

I have only had 2 classes cause problems for a 2nd week, and never had them cause problems for a 3rd. They key to it working is to have more staying power than they do. They find it impossible to keep quiet for a long time, even when they are watching the clock. This makes a great method of punishment. If your co-teacher tries to appeal on their behalf, simply say "I don't care" and the co-teacher will back down rather than lose face.

If you are a real bastard (and I can be) then 10 seconds before the time is up you should pick up a textbook and drop it. Smile and reset the clock. Their faces are priceless, but by this time they never speak out. Let them catch their breath before saying "goodbye". Lets them know that you are in charge and they are playing by your rules

[xCustomx]

I have the exact same problem with 2nd grade and with one of the co teachers. The kids don't respect her at all, so I have to take matters into my own hands and punish the kids, kick them out of class, etc. I have no respect for my co-teacher, who more or less tends to baby the kids. In the worst classes I don't take any bs from them anymore, and I make it clear at the beginning of class the consequences if they are out of line. I basically just try try to block out my coteacher and conduct the class as if she wasn't there at all.

[kimchi_pizza]

[normalcyispasse]

I started the "you take my time, I take yours" thing recently. Now all I have to do is look at my watch and it's enough to cause a chorus of "조용해!" "닥처!" to erupt. Generally it works fairly well for all but the most recalcitrant students.

[JoelCosmeJr]

thanks for the advice. i'll try to implement it for the next class. Today i had a class that 2 weeks ago i took 5 rowdy boys and had them do pushups outside for bout 30 minutes. they behaved better today, though still a bit disruptive. At least 10 kids were sleeping and co-teacher just has no control over them. On two different occasion, in 2 different classes, someone spat on the floor. firstime i did not know who did it, had one kid mop it up. next time the kid did it right in front of me. i had him clean it up and took him by the jacket and led him out the class. another boy was reading a comic in class, i took it away from him and he just walked out, the co-teacher telling me she lets him read in class and some explanation of how his artist dad and professor mom let him do these things. I enjoy teaching, and love kids, just in the case of these classes, i dont want to let the few bad eggs spoil the class. i try to be understanding, some kids may have problems at home, or are spoiled, or whatever. I do my best to make the lessons fun and education, all of my co-teachers tell me my lessons are fine. Am I over-sensitive thinking that cause there are some kids who show no respect or attention means my lessons needs to changed?

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

Oh heck,you're teaching MSchool and they behave like that??A kid from a supposed "liberal" family background can just decide he can't be stuffed and walk out?That's not Korean style.Remember that.

Well,then,I'd make them stand at the back and weigh them down with books over outstretched hands or do peer reinforcement by making the whole group do it.Then just forget about them until the end of class.When they say sorry,ask them why they are sorry.You can welcome them back into the fold,but they have to know they crossed a line.

Of course playing language games helps,but they are students.Students don't dictate the class.We want to push the boat out together.

[Snowkr]

Scouse Mouse,

I really like your idea. I'm sure it does work well. The key would be patience. Keeping the kids in the room when it is supposed to be your downtime must be frustrating. I suppose after a few bouts of this type of punishment, the need for it becomes less and less.

Good on you. I may try something like that with my high schoolers at some point but I'm not sure they deserve something that extreme... yet.

[mrsquirrel]

I am in the same situation with my 2's *beep* all that can be done this late. 5 weeks until exams.

I find that when I lob them out of the room they hate to be made to sit on a chair in the corridor. Standing is ok but sitting they hate?????

I find these days that I just tell the co-teacher I'm not going to raise my voice and that's that. It's upto her then to decide if she wants to quiten them down.

Next week though i'm going to have to get medieval on a few of them.

[renzobenzo1]

Questions....to punish them with extra class time, if they don't have a class before lunch or after school how does that work....? just get them to come back later....doesn't that also waste your time if they don't learn the lesson?

Also should we expect total silence in the classroom when we are talking?I find that nearly impossible.

[Scouse Mouse]

[halfmanhalfbiscuit]

What time punishment can you give if

-another class at the door
-you're losing your own lunchtime
-it's time to leave

Kick them out or
Do the books thing
AWOL,go out and drag him to the teachers office.Better still VP.Qu-eer little F-k.

MS teachers aren't likely to worry about potentially litigious parents too much.Pressure the teachers.

If your KT is indifferent...put a bloody rocket up her/him.Especialy if age isn't an issue.Fuggit,they're being paid.

[Scouse Mouse]