With my horrible 3rd graders, I usually am super friendly or talkative after. Smile a lot so they know that you are not still angry with them. That usually helps for me. My students know the line and after feeling the wrath don't cross it. They know that I am kind and friendly but they also now know what line not to cross

Honestly, it happens-- and if they understand that they were out of hand, then at least you made your point.

Last poster is right-- I did something similar with 2nd grade middle schoolers last year when they were absolutely disrespectful, and after a lecture, I made them sit in the classroom silently through part of their break. While I didn't yell at them, I did kind of go overboard. They resented that longer than I expected, but eventually they got over it.

For the most part, being absolutely silent worked for my students, or telling them at the beginning of class that I'll make them stay in the class during their break for 1-minute EACH time they get out of hand. That often worked for me... along with showing interest in their general lives.

Again, I'm sure if it's a one time thing, they'll eventually get over it and the more they get back to knowing you as a teacher and person, the less they are likely to be rude and put you over the edge.

Let's face it, it happens, we are all human, and sometimes these kids try to walk all over us because we don't speak or understand the language. So don't feel bad for loosing your temper!

I aggre, your kids will get over it soon enough.
Also try a new rewards system with them using free time or games to be done in English, if it's something that their actually allowed to have fun and no pressure and are allowed to make mistakes then maybe that will encourage them to speak more in your class, and they will see that your trying to have fun with them...

Don't worry about it. Just remember that the law of diminishing returns sets in very quickly with yelling. Next week walk in very cheerfully and things should be fine.

I banged the roll book on the desk (get it right, it sounds like a gun) for the first time yesterday. Last year it was completely ineffective by this point because I used it too much.

What's a cootie catcher?

I've been really angry with them.  I'm actually feeling awkward with this one girl, who I normally like, but who I spazzed at because she was playing with a cootie catcher and wouldn't give it to me.  I know this makes me sound like a really strict person, but this was one of those days... where we were standing and waiting for the kids to be quiet, for like 5 minutes... then they pull out cell phones, mp3's and... a cootie catcher.  Grr... I got unreasonably angry at the stupid cootie catcher.  Given that there was so much to be mad about, why focus on that?  Anyway, I feel like a middle school girl who's been in a fight.  If I see her on the subway, I feel really ashamed.  Why aren't we above these things?  How can I make it up to them?

Ah, that's where it's nice to be bigger then them. If you couldn't forcibly take it away at least make sure it gets well crumpled up.

What's a cootie catcher?

it's an advanced technological device for predicting the future.

no joke.

It might be useful (and funny) to show a video clip of the hulk - specifically when people mess with him and he changes from cool dude to big green monster.  Talk about how when people are bad around him, they have to incur his wrath.  Explain that when all is well, you're Mr. Nice Guy.  If they give you problems - they'll see the English teacher version of the hulk again.

Just a thought...

Like what Gilbert said. I ask a lot of questions, then make that aw? sound the Korean teachers make.

-How old are you?
-Aw?
-12? Why are you acting like 4 year olds?
-I've seen better behavior from monkeys in a zoo.
-Are you 4 year old monkeys?
-Aw?
etc