What is the best way to deal with an unruly child in the classroom?

Question

No matter what we do to help her. Positive reinforcement doesn't work praise doesn't work, call the mother or father is a joke, they threat and never follow trough. Punishement doesn't work. She is not hyper only soooooooo defiant. Talks back to the teacher, very disrespectful. I don't understand what she thinks she will get out of it. The parents have this sense of entitlement, some how the society owes it to them to take care of their need. What can we say or do??? We have tried all those new techniques that they show you on all those inservice days. We tried all tricks that those expert tell you to do and still, she remains the same... Help.

Answer 1

I find this ironic, as I am in an alternative school writing this. I amd 14, and it sounds like the girl is a lot like me. Give her in school suspennsion for a week or so. After that, a real suspension with 0's, and then when that doesn't work, call in the SWAT team. Good luck!

Answer 2

your county should have some sort of child 'community school' where the bad kids go. or take her down to the local juvenile center. My step son is being defiant and the learning director is scheduling him a trip to the CDC. he thinks he's a bad a$$ but hes just a fraile little punk who needs to be scared. call th county or city to see if they have a scared straight program. but youre going to have to see if its okay with her parents

good luck!

I agree with the first poster. embarrassment does wonders.

Answer 3

I always say that if the punishment didn't work, then the punishment was not tough enough.

I would set up a clear rewards and punishment system for her. Make it consistent, so that she knows what it expected. Reward her good behaviour with stars. When she recieves 10 starts, give her a reward - something that you know that she will really like/ enjoy.

Punish her with sad faces. If she recieves 3 sad faces in the morning before recess time, she misses out on recess play (ALL of it). If she recieves 3 more before lunch time, she misses out on all of her lunch play. If she recieves 3 more before the end of the day, she has to stay in (unless her parents won't support her staying in after school).

The only way a punishment works is if it is harsh enough to motivate the child to not repeat that behaviour. I always tell my children that the more they continue to disobey, the harsher the consequences will become, until they learn to obey. So I say to them, 'I suggest you learn it sooner rather than later'. They usually get the picture after a while.

Answer 4

It sounds like there is nothing you can do. She is not willing to change. I would talk to her councilor and ask them to change the class that you have her in. So then you don't have to worry about it anymore, and she will be someone Else's problem.

Answer 5

How old is the child?  Chidren may mature +/-1 one year from their calendar age so have realistic expectations.  You will need to use techniques that work for her age and personality.  Also, it's nearly May.  What time frame did this behaviour start or has it been ongoing since the beginning of the year?  Also, how is she acting out?  Sreaming, hitting, talking out of turn, etc.?  These questions are key to resolving the issue.  

Not sure if confidentiality made you omit that info so I'll tell you from my experience, I've found honesty works best.  I always had frank one-on-ones with my students to find out why they're acting out.  Ask what's up.  Ask the child what are ways you two can solve the problem together.  I know this stuff is usually referred to school counselors but I prefer to tackle the issues myself because I taught primary level.  Eases burden on staff and allows the child to feel less shame.  However, if you feel it's out of control at this point send for reinforcements.

Also, do you use IPPs for your students?  I've found individualized curriculum plans with daily scheduled large group/ small group intervals help children stay focused and reduces boredom, which causes most negative behaviour.  During large group seat work times, students were always invited to my desk for help or if they just needed to talk.

Answer 6

The problem is that no matter what you do you will be wrong. If you give her boundaries you will be reprimanded, if you don't do anything the other kids will not learn. I think the problem is the parents. I feel sorry for teachers these days.

Answer 7

Tell her to go sit in the corner, public humiliation is a pretty good way to punish a kid.

Answer 8

to bad you still cant spank in school like used to be able to... reward the other childern and ignore her behavior she might get the drift but sounds like if the parents dont care than that could be a big reason shes acting the way she is.  maybe get the school board involved and see if she doesnt stop shes not only hurting her self but everyone around her by taking teaching time away from them.  she might need to be put in a "special" class that doesn`t have that many students in it or not.  Does she have friends in the class? or is she a loner type? that could help you out as well seeing that if her friends behave they get stuff and she doesnt or if shes a loner shes trying to get attention. its really hard to do anything when the parents dont care.