Rachel Courtney
T O P I C :
Denial of Wrongdoing
Rachel Poses the Question. . . .
September 16, 2007
I have a student who is very bright and respectful outside of the classroom; however, when in class, he throws paper balls, pencils and the like. Each time I ask him why he won't behave, he denies he did anything wrong or disruptive. How can I control this child?
Justin Keen answers. . . .
October 19, 2007
I have several very positive and bright students who are at times surly. I have faced throwing of items a few times this rotation. At the first disruption, I would try stopping class, calling attention to the student, and explaining calmy that this pause is the only warning. I then let the student pick the next step by asking, "What do you think should happen next?" If this is ineffective, I would move the student next to me or right up front. I also employ Teacher Bowles' trick of thanking them, and then asking them why they disrespect me when I respect them and give them my time for free work.
Anthony Halter answers. . . .
October 22, 2007
I have a demon child also. She is the cause of 90% of the mischief that happens in class. She does most of it for attention, so I started waiting to give homework at the end of class instead of writing it on the board. Before I give them the homework, I tell them they were really good that day, so I was going to cut their home work in half when I intended on assigning the odd problems all along. When this student is being bad, all I have to say is "If the class is so bored that we have all this activity going on, you must need a lot of homework, so you will have something to do." She has gone from class jestor to class outcast. Three times I have heard students say, "Stop it." The class has began to monitor itself.
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