Yesterday was the first time that I've ever had to raise my voice in a classroom setting. Before yesterday, every moment of discipline was able to be handled individually or through patiently waiting for students to stop talking. But my period 4 class would not have it this way.
It was my first day with Period 4 - World History C level (which stands for standard college prep).They are somewhat disrepctful to my cooperating teacher and certainly apathetic with regard to the material. Another trait that they have distinguished about themselves is their committment to cheating on any and every form of assessment. All these things combined have yielded a class of failing students that have no intention of passing.
As a student teacher finally taking over, most students have an impression that I will be weak, easy to manipulate and soft when it comes to discipline. While showing much grace, they certainly understimated my other side of justice. I tried everything from quietly bringing them back to focus to staring at the clock untill they quited down. Nothing worked. And even if I did manage to begin teaching the lesson, specific students would make comments about what I was teaching in order get a rise out of the rest of the class. One student in particular would not yield any form of respect, denying my authority and continually telling jokes amidst my lesson.
I was careful to not to discipline out of an emotional reaction. It was clear, to the point, and effective. In summary, I boomed something along the lines of, "Listen up. You may think that you can walk all over me because I'm a student teacher. Let me assure you, I will not stand for this. I expect the same respect that Mr. Sheremeta is given and even more because I am a guest to your classroom. (Addressing the problem student) Why are you laughing? Is this funny for you? No one else finds this to be amusing. I have no problem throwing you out of the class right now and keeping you in ISS for the next week. Shape up, you're better than that."
Calmly yet sternly, I had managed to assert control over the class and present myself as the authority in the classroom. The rest of the period ran smoothly as students listened and took notes. We'll see if the atmostphere lasts to today.
I think that you handled this very well. Students of any age will try to test the waters but they seem much more defiant when they reach high school. They like to push the envelope. Although it is not pleasant we do have establish that we will not tolerate this behavior. When I did my practicum I was in a fifth grade class and we had that same tug of war for a few days. I also found that I had enough and let them know it. After that they might try to fool around but quickly remembered that it was not acceptable. I hope that the rest of your time there is a little better.
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