for your observation: send the worst kids to another teacher. you can always do a similar favor for them later on.
from my experience, you're basically up a creek without a paddle. sorry.
On 11/03/07, Jen wrote: > I work in a impoverished neighbborhood where many of my > students are exposed to violent situations at home which > they shouldn't be exposed to. I am a new teacher change of > careers (47) teaching self-contained special ed. kinders. > My problem is they are constantly hitting each other all > day long!!! I've tried rewards, consequences, phone calls, > rewarding kindness to others, and more, but nothing works!! > They are mean to each other and they are only 5 yrs old!! > Many have oppositional defiant disorder, and almost all of > them have emotional problems. It's heartbreaking, but I am > so frustrated I no longer know what to do. Any suggestions > would be greatly appreciated. I know soon I will be > observed and I'm afraid of the behavior during an > observation, I mean these kids really punch each other and > try to choke each other!!!
I teach in NYC at the high school level and I can promise you they act the same way in high school! I keep index cards with their names on them. When students act out, I get out the cards and write notes (date and type of behavior). The students are concerned when they know I am taking notes on them and they get nervous and start to behave! readkitty