I am losing my mind right now with these kids!?

Question

I usually don't work at school, I work journalism, but I was a sub today at school and I will be a sub tommorrow, I have to work at school at regular school hours and then go back to my regular job. I have to work in a special-ed classroom where there's only 7 kids. 2 girls, 5 boys. Well, all of them won't listen to me. I cried today during school lunch because these kids wouldn't listen to me! Like in most of the students, 2 of the boys would refuse to work and would drum the desk with pencils, and I would tell them to stop, and they wouldn't listen, for example, one kid named Jon said that I'm not really a teacher, I don't own this classroom. He even took my pair of shoes and wouldn't give them back for 15 mins. I had to chase him and some kids have cellphones in their hands and I would say hand them in, and they would refuse and I would physically grab their arm and take it from their hands. They throw tantrums, throw their desk on the floor, this other kid, DeQuan, says that I am

Answer 1

what you can do is ask the principal if you can get a few extra hands with these kids because they are a handful and if they see more authority they are going to listen, or get the principal to be in there with you. If they say you are not really a teacher get somebody that really is a teacher and see what happens.. in the future dont grab a kids arm because their parents can sue u...

Answer 2

if the kids are this bad then tell them let's line up we are going on a little field trip and trip their little bottoms straight to the office and if they refuse then go straight to the office and say hey look I needthe principle in this room right know. Have all their parents called to the school and make for sure you tell the kids first thing today is going to be different, if yall do not listen to me,I will be calling your parents to this school and I will request both parents right know. Make for sure that you are no longer playing these little games. you have to put your foot down, if they do not mind,send their butt to the office right then, tell them go to the office right know no excuses.

Answer 3

Maybe ask if you can be observed?  I would not put my hands on them who knows they may try to press charges or something.  In the future, I would try to take offers to sub for younger kids.  At some point kids become oppositional, before this they enjoy school.  I think below 3rd or 4th grade would be better, or older those middle years are a wreck!

Answer 4

These kids sound like a handful!  It also sounds a bit like you are inexperienced in handling multiple children.  I would recommend numerous parenting/teaching books but you don't have time for that.  Here's a couple tips.

Don't relinquish your position of power to the children.  Chasing them, demanding they do things, physically taking things from them.....it's going to make the whole situation spiral out of control.

You want to provide kids with choices.  ie:  Johnny, it's time for you to return my shoes now.  You can either put them on the counter, or you can set them over there by my coat.  Either place will be fine.  

When he doesn't do either, you should tell Johnny you are saddened he made such a poor choice and tell him you will discuss it later.  DO NOT blow up, get angry or argue with Johnny in front of the kids.  

Later when it is time for some kind of fun activity like recess, painting, etc.  Tell Johnny you need to talk to him privately and explain he won't be allowed to participate because of his poor decision regarding your shoes.  

This is just one example, but overall you can't demand a child do something unless you are prepared for what happens when they don't do it.  Good luck!!

Answer 5

sweetie you need to get the helll out of dodge! let those kids killl each other,not you.

Answer 6

Yiekks! - you must face up to the fact that you can't handle this job. These children are making a mockery of you and you are reacting just as they would hope - flaking and crying, get the h**l out and understand that this is not for you!

Sorry to be so harsh, I am sure that you have done your best - best but what a job!! - I could not handle this for sure.

Kristee knows what she is talking about, she must have experience, listen to her.

Answer 7

well, number one, stop showing it.

these remember when you were a kid.

you'd walk in see a sub and think fresh meat!

no matter what they do, and i mean no matter what! don't show that you're upset.

talk about getting an extra hand if you need it and try a different approach.

give an assignment and calmly(keyword) explain it.

tell them that you will only say it once and if they keep talking, so do you. Finish and than sit at your desk..

if they don't finish their work than they will stay after and you can legaly keep them until i believe 4 o clock at school.

check on them at times and this is a technique i use.

every time somone acts up i hand them another sheet to work on.

it all keeps adding on.

good luck and remember you can do it.

Answer 8

How did you get through university to become a sub? After four years of teaching, you'd think you'd have learned by now.

Anyway, don't ASK them to do things, TELL them to. If they don't, keep them in. Just because they are in special ed does not mean that you cannot give them a detention or demand something from them.

As for dequan, he probably has read the news, and seen that whenever something bad happens to someone, they can usually get money by screaming "RACIST!"

Answer 9

Why don't they have a special ed teacher to sub?? And I don't think that classroom should be run with just one adult...there should be an assistant. If you're not qualified (ie, have training in special ed, etc...) then don't take the job. Those kids sound obnoxious and you should tell the principal what happened and that you refuse to go back into that environment.

Answer 10

They Want To Be Normal You Treat Them Like Normal KIDS, Give Them The Proper Punishments And Write Them Up!  Tell ALL Your Supervisors Your Situation With This Class, Ask For Their Help.  Make Sure Everything You Do Is Within The Parameters Of The Law.  I Hope This Helps.

Good Luck!  I'm Sorry For All The Times I Acted Up When I Was A Kid At School, Over Ten Years Ago.