Substitute teacher - behaviour issues

I'd appreciate any wonderful tips or advice anyone can offer. As a sub teacher I am often told by the staff that the kids always play up more with sub teachers. With this in mind, I start the class off with rules and consequences and expected behaviour (including rewards). I log teaching time that they waste and they stay in at break to make up for it (usually only amounts to 5 mins or so as they then start calling on each other once I start the stopwatch). However, in many of the classes I have them continually talking, interrupting, calling out, bickering about other students and so on. It goes on all day. I could spend all day going through the procedure for lining up at the door quietly, not calling out etc, and I would do this if I were having them regularly. I know they would not behave like this with their regular teacher and am almost at a loss as to what to do. I try and manage the behaviour as much as I can and only report extreme cases. I keep a record and report their behavour to their regular teacher and of course I can report for detention etc. However, when it becomes more than half the class it loses effect.

I'd appreciate any feedback or experiences others may have had.

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Permalink Reply by Marie G. on March 30, 2009 at 5:43pm

The easiest trick that works at every grade level is the following... If the class is mostly talking and not following directions find the most quiet and cooperative student and write his or her name on the board. Students will recognize that this student is a "good" kid and will quickly quiet down in order to have their name on the board too. Continue to write names on the board and once you have the attention of the entire class give instructions on how to earn positive tally marks next to their name. Depending on the age this can be attached to a tangible reward, extra credit, or a positive note to the teacher. Don't make it into a competition or punitive, just a positive recognition for all who follow the rules. I used this from 1-8 and ESE classes with success when I was a sub and sometimes still use it if I need to cover another teacher's class. The bonus is that you can learn their names more quickly this way.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on March 30, 2009 at 6:42pm

You are a saint--I would be screaming like a banshee or ripping some kid's arm out of the socket. Thanks to people like you who do what people like me could never do.

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Permalink Reply by Nancy Bosch on March 30, 2009 at 7:09pm

Good idea from a techie, digital stills may also work!! Download and send to teacher.

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Permalink Reply by Marie on March 31, 2009 at 1:06am

Thank you so much for your replies! Marie G: what a great idea! I usually write the well behaved kids names in a book and tell them I am reporting all the good/bad behaviour. I use name cards on their desks so that is a good way to know who is behaving etc. Nancy: No I am not a saint! In fact the experiences I am going through are putting me off teaching primary students! I am an adult educator turned high school/primary relief teacher. Oh how I long for my lovely adult learners!

Indigo196: I love the idea of a video camera. I have a flip camera - perfect. I figure I would have to get permission from the head first, wonder if they will allow it? If the class knew they were being videoed they are likely to be better behaved.

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Permalink Reply by Peter Lane on March 31, 2009 at 11:13pm

Bribery often works... give'm hard candy! : ) I also recommend working with the regular teacher to set up a reward system -- PAT at the middle and/or end of the day that is built in to the schedule (this can also be used at the junior high or middle school level (do it period-by-period)). A good teacher will be willing to give up instruction time so that both the students and guest/substitute teacher make it though the day alive!