Author Topic: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student (Read 1630 times)

amstargirl · « **on:** October 05, 2015, 01:48:54 PM »

This is my first time posting and I need some real help.

I have a 3rd grade student and he is probably the most difficult and messed up kid I have ever met. He is constantly provoking and fighting with other students, hitting teachers, tears up games I have prepared, talks badly to my shy young coteacher, and has extreme meltdowns if he doesn't like the lesson I prepared or if he lost a game. Sometimes I feel like he is literally possessed because he thrases on the ground and screams and throws chairs and books. 90% of the time, he refuses to participate if the lesson isn't fun enough, isn't challenging enough, or is too hard. Once he even had this kind of meltdown in the teacher's room in front of the principal and vice principal and was tearing at the walls and throwing office supplies.

All the other teachers, including his homeroom teacher, can't control him so where do they put him? In all my afterschool English classes of course. He was even placed in really awkward classes such as my advance 5th and 6th grade class where he was the only 3rd grader. His english is fairly good, but of course he couldn't keep up with the 5th and 6th graders and the class ended up very poorly in my opinion because I had to plan challenging lessons for the older kids while also especially catering to him. My coteacher and I complained almost everyday about his behavior because it was so extreme, but nothing was ever done. None of the other teachers would take him into their classes. Not even in a gym class where all the rest of his grade is. The school has apparently talked to his parents about him, but they refuse to believe their son would act badly and accuse the school of being biased against him. At this point, my school won't do anything.

This semester I have an afterschool class with only two students; him, and this shy, but smart girl in 4th grade. Their levels are completely different. I have never taught only two students before and I don't know how to make it work with that boy in there as well. Also, this class is an hour and a half long. Can I get some advice on what lesson plans would work for only two students for that long? I am really at a loss of what to do.

nomadicmadda · « **Reply #1 on:** October 05, 2015, 04:09:39 PM »

Yiiiiikes OP, I'm so sorry your school is shafting you with this. Is your CT in the room with you during the after school class? If she isn't, I would at least insist on that to start.

As for what do to during that period, I would find a kid's TV series (maybe show them samples and let them pick it?) you can use to plan lessons around. Use each episode for vocabulary and discussing themes, and as the kids get to know the characters more, you can have them do comics and other craft activities themed around them. Giving them something to watch will also take some of the pressure off you.

As for the behavioral issues, I'm a really, really firm believer in that there's a reason behind every kid acting out. Maybe something is going on at home that the teachers are unaware of, whether it's him being ignored or overly coddled, and it's making him act in this way. I tell to "kill them with kindness" so they don't hate me, but remain firm and consistent with whatever classroom rules I have set.

I've worked with some pretty meek CTs in the past too, and I've found it's best to take the reins in that situation. Even if you can't speak Korean, if you take charge your CT will follow your lead and act as a translator. If the student needs to report to his homeroom teacher for bad behavior, don't ask your CT if you can do that, tell her she needs to escort him there. If you do this politely and respectfully, you shouldn't have an issue with your CT thinking you're overstepping your boundaries. I've actually never had a CT tell me "Oh, we can't do that," or "Oh, he doesn't want to, just let him be..." when I've been enacting discipline with students.

Again, the key is to be kind, but consistent and firm. Keep the rules simple, and take the lead with your CT, especially if he/she is younger or more shy. Your unruly student needs to know that he can't walk all over you, but that you aren't going to be a power-tripping dick and try to suppress him or force him into obedience either. Sometimes kids like that need to feel like you trust and respect them in order to give you trust and respect in return, even if they seem really young.

Tee · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2015, 02:39:27 PM »

Wow this sounds absolutely horrible. In the west this type of child would of course be put into a "special class" before he was expelled and sent to another school, but of course Korea is still quite obviously behind the times.

If it were me I would definitely raise the issue with the company I work for, e.g. whoever interviewed you or put you there. In an extreme case I would demand to be put in another school, or start applying for jobs elsewhere as there are thousands of schools in Korea and millions more abroad.

forasong · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2015, 03:48:38 PM »

Simple:

Just say no.

draco888 · « **Reply #4 on:** November 17, 2015, 04:33:59 PM »

Quote from: Tee on November 17, 2015, 02:39:27 PM

Wow this sounds absolutely horrible. In the west this type of child would of course be put into a "special class" before he was expelled and sent to another school, but of course Korea is still quite obviously behind the times.

If it were me I would definitely raise the issue with the company I work for, e.g. whoever interviewed you or put you there. In an extreme case I would demand to be put in another school, or start applying for jobs elsewhere as there are thousands of schools in Korea and millions more abroad.

demand to be put in another school? really?

nadinea · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2015, 04:44:52 PM »

Quote from: nomadicmadda on October 05, 2015, 04:09:39 PM

Yiiiiikes OP, I'm so sorry your school is shafting you with this. Is your CT in the room with you during the after school class? If she isn't, I would at least insist on that to start.

As for what do to during that period, I would find a kid's TV series (maybe show them samples and let them pick it?) you can use to plan lessons around. Use each episode for vocabulary and discussing themes, and as the kids get to know the characters more, you can have them do comics and other craft activities themed around them. Giving them something to watch will also take some of the pressure off you.

As for the behavioral issues, I'm a really, really firm believer in that there's a reason behind every kid acting out. Maybe something is going on at home that the teachers are unaware of, whether it's him being ignored or overly coddled, and it's making him act in this way. I tell to "kill them with kindness" so they don't hate me, but remain firm and consistent with whatever classroom rules I have set.

I've worked with some pretty meek CTs in the past too, and I've found it's best to take the reins in that situation. Even if you can't speak Korean, if you take charge your CT will follow your lead and act as a translator. If the student needs to report to his homeroom teacher for bad behavior, don't ask your CT if you can do that, tell her she needs to escort him there. If you do this politely and respectfully, you shouldn't have an issue with your CT thinking you're overstepping your boundaries. I've actually never had a CT tell me "Oh, we can't do that," or "Oh, he doesn't want to, just let him be..." when I've been enacting discipline with students.

Again, the key is to be kind, but consistent and firm. Keep the rules simple, and take the lead with your CT, especially if he/she is younger or more shy. Your unruly student needs to know that he can't walk all over you, but that you aren't going to be a power-tripping dick and try to suppress him or force him into obedience either. Sometimes kids like that need to feel like you trust and respect them in order to give you trust and respect in return, even if they seem really young.

I think nomadicmadda have giving you the best option for dealing with the situation.
I would set out clear rules about behaviour and "penalties" for bad behaviour. print it out and post it in your classroom in english and korean so there is no mistake.

Kliuchevskoi · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2015, 09:53:00 PM »

Quote from: Tee on November 17, 2015, 02:39:27 PM

Wow this sounds absolutely horrible. In the west this type of child would of course be put into a "special class" before he was expelled and sent to another school, but of course Korea is still quite obviously behind the times.

The west deals effectively with this type of student? I don't think so.

Poor student behaviour, expulsions, suspensions, and low academic performance have reached epidemic levels in the west now.

Piggydee · « **Reply #7 on:** November 24, 2015, 12:08:14 PM »

Quote from: amstargirl on October 05, 2015, 01:48:54 PM

90% of the time, he refuses to participate if the lesson isn't fun enough, isn't challenging enough, or is too hard.

Yep this is my exact problem with most of my students right here!!! I really feel that I don't score that prefect balance with my students they end up hating me most of the time. Ugh is it vacation time yet LOL. You hit the nail on the head OP :-D I'm with you.

withmatt · « **Reply #8 on:** December 01, 2015, 10:38:56 AM »

I find that to correct specific behavior with a student, it is good to print up a behavior chart that you will check at the end of each class period. With one of my 4th graders, I have three categories that I check 5 days a week so he can get a total of 15 points. At first I set the goal of getting seven points per week. Now he is up to 10, and I keep raising the target.

He enjoys getting his special "check time" at the end of each class and is much more conscious of his behavior now that it is on a paper that he knows will get checked each day. Some of the other students have also requested that they get a sheet like him, as they think it is unfair that he is the only one that gets these points, lol.

Author Topic: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student (Read 1630 times)

amstargirl

Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

nomadicmadda

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

Tee

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

forasong

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

draco888

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

nadinea

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

Kliuchevskoi

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

Piggydee

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

withmatt

Re: Help with afterschool class with horrible and rude student

Recent Lesson Plans

Buy/Sell/Trade

Employment