Read the Riot Act

Today. Ugh today. I had to read the riot act to three classes today. A parent called me about a serious issue at 8:30am. If not for the quick reflexes of a co-worker, I nearly took a soccer ball to the face.

The real problem is respect. The students are all not showing respect to each other and their teachers. Serious amounts of eye rolling, talking back (I hate that phrase, we need a new one), general disregard for directions, and so much more. I have multiple students who will just sit there and make irritating noises at their classmates.

How do we address this in a new way?
Sadly, the kids who are trying constantly to do the right thing get squashed and punished for things the disrespectful group does. In one class I gave a speech to I got letters of apology from students. What crushed me is that they were all students who had done nothing wrong. Those who are already doing well are going above and beyond to make up for others.

Learning should be fun. You want to learn when it is fun. I want to make my class enjoyable. These moments where I have to stop everything and address respect again and again make it very difficult to keep the learning fun.

1,2,3, HEY

A third grader asked me today if we could do a conga line in the hall instead of walking quietly. Sadly, I had to say no. I really wanted to say yes.

p.s. It was not me who really had to make the no decision.

Alternative energy

Today my second graders and I were discussing what to wear for our upcoming concerts. We talked about what to wear and how you should wear something like you would for picture day. No tuxedos required. A student then told me he was going to wear his tux and arrive in a limo. He also informed me that his limo was powered on burps.

Does that make me Crazy!!!!!!!!!!!

The children have been going nutters for the last two weeks. Yesterday was the best/worst. The disrespectful behavior and lack of regard for others has been mind numbing. Sometimes the lack of regard is also for one's self. I feel like I am always catching someone kicking/punching/ tattling/defacing/destroying something or someone.I have made more phone calls these past two weeks than ever before.


 I had a student come up to me crying. He had sat on his own hand and moved without moving his hand and had smooshed it so bad it hurt him.
During that same class we played a passing game. There were 5 in time out at once.

One of my students in a special education classroom refused to go to art today because she wanted to come to music instead. I was flattered but, it was a five minute showdown or refusal in the hallway.
Para: "You need to go to art." Student: "NO!!"  (this happened about 14 times)
This student's classmate also busted into my room after fleeing the art room for the same reason. we caught them mid tug on the door with their face smooshed into the glass of the door window.
By the way, the art teacher is a lovely woman and a friend of mine. She is also a wonderful teacher. There is no reason for this kids to not want to go to art other than wanting to do what I was doing.

These midwinter nutso times make teaching a trying profession.

The screaming through the halls, indoor recesses, and emotional breakdowns tax the minds of all.

Last, there is a student teacher in the building who noticed that there are always sweets in the building. Cookies, candy, chocolates...
When asking why they were always there the response was "They won't let us have anything stronger"