As we read in the handout from class, bullying has become a major issue in classrooms today. Bullying is not only physical, but has become more verbal over the past several years. There is a big issue at the middle school in which I am a student teacher. Girls are being overly mean and nasty to each other. I see it more amongst the girls in my school rather than the boys. This bullying is leading to multiple day suspensions or in-school suspension. Over the past two weeks, I have had at least one student out of every class be suspended. I need some help or advice on how to help these students on the work they missed. Some have been suspended for 10 days as a result of the fighting.
Well, if the students are suspended then they are completely capable of completing their work, in my opinion. If they were sick, then some extensions could be accceptable, but if the students are suspended they should be expected to complete their work. I also currently have a student who is suspended for an extended amount of time. It is unknown when he is returning to school so I am keeping a constant running tally of what he misses: the date something was taught or assigned on, as well as when I expect it completed and handed in by him. I am emailing the parents and giving hard copies of anything done in class to the guidance counselor so that my suspended student receives all of the information he needs: PowerPoint presentations from class, assignments, test review, everything he misses. Personally, I am not giving too much leighway with due dates for this student because he is just sitting at home and is healthy so he should be able to do his work. Also, this is not a very diligent student, he usually does not do work when he is in class, so the circumstancces are difficult. I am making sure I keep in contact with his guidance counselor as well as his parents through email to ensure that all of the people involved are on the same page. If he has enough people on top of him to get his work done, it is more likely that something will be handed in when he returns to school. Have an open conversation with the students' guidance counselors and feel him/her out for what you should expect from the students. The guidance counselors know the students best, they are well-versed in these situations, and they know the general school policies on suspensions.
ReplyDeleteThat’s sad to hear how much bullying still occurs at your school. However, the students must learn the consequences. Unfortunately, that makes your job a little more difficult. The first thing I would suggest you do is look into your school’s policy. Most schools have a specific plan in the cases of long-term suspensions. If this is true, you should follow your school’s policy in regard to the work you give that student. Also, my school has a program/policy called home instruction. According to my school’s policy, once a student is out for at least four consecutive days (for any reason) every teacher must begin to hand the guidance counselor all work needed to be made up. This work is taken to the student at his/her home and a teacher works with the student to help him/her complete their work. I believe this is a great way to help the students make up for missed work, because, whether they are sick or suspended, they still need to be taught the material. Even if they are capable of doing work, the students cannot be held responsible for teaching themselves new material or information. Therefore, I highly recommend you look into whether or not your school offers home instruction. Other than that, the most important tool you have is technology. Keep in constant contact with the parents and provide as much notes/work as you can through your teacher website or emails.
ReplyDeleteI think bullying is a problem in every school. The middle school I am teaching at favors in-school suspension over sending kids home for suspension, which I agree with. What is your school trying to accomplish by keeping this student away for so long? I hope they are watching for cyber-bullying while the student is kept at home, because being home all day with access to Facebook and email could allow the bully to make the situation much worse.
ReplyDeleteI have had one student on in-school suspension so far - for fighting, not bullying. The great advantage of keeping the kids in the building is that they have to sit alone in the guidance office and do their assigned work. When my student was in there, I brought him the work and went back a few hours later to discuss what he had done. He didn't fall behind at all.
I would agree with Kaitlyn that you need to keep excellent records of everything you teach and make sure that the student gets copies of everything and understands what the assignments are and that everything is due on the day he/she comes back (unless the school policy is different).
We are having a bullying problem between 2 boys at my school right now that is more mental than physical so the principal has told us that he wants the teachers in the hall watching what goes on when the students are changing classes, which is unusual for this school. So, I stand there and keep my eyes glued on the boy who is being targeted so that I know that he is safe in my part of the hallway, which is near his locker. As a mother, this is heartbreaking to me and I feel very responsible to be as vigilant as possible. I want to keep this kid safe. The new law is on his side and gives his parents more power to bring legal action if the school doesn't resolve the situation.
This is really sad that bullying is becoming such a problem especially to kids so young. These kids are old enough and more than capable to be doing work on their own. They think it is ok to do what they are doing so it is their responsibility to get the work done. If you start giving extensions on work, tests, or even projects the kids are going to start thinking ISS or OSS is a way to get out of doing work on time. If a kid is in ISS they have all day to be doing work so you should provide to that student what your other students are learning in class that day. They can complete the work on their own and if they don't understand or have questions they can come to you before or after school. You have enough things you need to be doing with the students who are in class everyday. The students getting suspended need to learn to grow up and start realizing there are consequences for their actions.
ReplyDeleteThis is a tough situation that I have faced in some of my classes as well. My cooperating teacher always says that she opposes sending students out of class for misbehavior because they will only miss information and fall behind. It is a constant debate in both her and many other teachers' classrooms. I would look to the school's handbook and see what the policy on suspension and class work is. I would also find out if the student is serving an in school or out of school suspension. If they are in school, you should be able to assign work that will allow them to catch up. If they are out of school I would make an effort to get into contact with the parents so that they can complete work from home.
ReplyDeleteBullying has hit a new high within our classrooms and it needs to be addressed. Teachers, administrators, and families need to support those that are being bullied. I do not believe that children should be suspended for long periods of time, but if they are suspended they should not be given work from school. The purpose of suspension is to correct or rather deter the child from repeating an undesired behavior. It now becomes the students' responsibility to request assignments and any other materials from the teacher. If the child is sent to ISS then work should be provided to the children in a highly controlled environment. Counseling should also be part of the disciplining process; children that are punished without reason and guidance tend to repeat undesirable behaviors.
ReplyDeleteIt seems there's a "Mean Girls" situation going in your school. This needs to be nipped in the bud ASAP. Usually there's a core group of girls that initiate the trouble which then creates a epidemic of girl on girl bullying through out the school.
ReplyDeleteI would advise teachers to talk to their students first. Ask them who are the core group of said "Mean Girls". Find out who they are and then have the Assistant and head principal meet with them. Explain to them the rules of the school and zero tolerance bullying policy. Tell them that this extends outside the school as well. Call in the parents as well. Have the parents meet with several of the victims so they can see what their "angels" have done.
As for the rest of the female population in the school. Call an assembly of the female students only. Explain to them bullying policy, the consequences of their actions and the actions their victims take. Show them the domino effect of bullying. Be very specific.
I don't think they should miss any work, I think they have a lot of time to do their work. I would make sure their parents are aware of the work they are responsible to hand in.
ReplyDeleteAlso I would speak before class to all students how important this time of their life is and that playing it tough is not going to take them anywhere, instead it would slow them down of reaching their highest potentials.
This is very tough, but I think that if the student was suspended they should be able to complete the work. Perhaps send an email home to inform the parents of the work they are missing that day. I know in my school, they have "advisory" which is strictly activities for HIB. Some of the kids don't take it as serious as they should, but others do. You could also group all the females together and then in a separate assembly group all the males together and discuss the anti-bullying policy and how important it is.
ReplyDeleteHaving a student miss work in class because of behavior issues that lead to suspension is never easy. I have had issues with two students in which they missed multiple days in class because of out of school suspensions. What is even worse is that the students return and are highly off task and unsure of what is going on which leads to even more issues. If this is a highly common occurrence, I would spend a little bit of time every weekend or Monday morning preparing a folder with assignments that will help students suspended or sick catch up with what is going on in class. This will help you be prepared for each week while also ensuring every one of your students are on task.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. You can't spend too much time hunting down students that are out for disciplinary reasons but it is important to write everything down, have accurate records of what was taught and the folder of missed work is also a great tool. Perhaps folders for each unit with extra copies of the work/handouts so it can be easily accessed. Touch base with students to let them know they can keep up with the work if they choose to do so during their absence and keep the lines of communication open. Students ultimately will make the choice to complete the assignments or not. Your providing them with the options. :)
DeleteI have 2 options for students who miss class. I have my own blog on the school website. On the blog, I provide a calendar of assignments and also upload worksheets and PowerPoints as needed. I also have 'While You Were Out" folders. This was a system that my cooperating teacher used. I would type up a simplified version of my lesson plans, attach the handouts, and put the packet in the folder. Absent students knew exactly were to go to find the work they missed. The folder system also allowed me to see who picked up their work and who didn't. It is important to be organized and find a way that is easy for you to keep up with.
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