Julie,
When I read your message to delete an earlier message, I had to go
back and read your
earlier posts. Working in clay with Middle Schoolers is a challenge.
I worked out an arrangement
with our administration and our ISS room (in school suspension)
teacher. I had a standing rule
before we ever worked on clay. If you threw it you were out till the
entire class finished with clay,
often several weeks. I kept a host of written art history assignments
to send to ISS if needed.
I seldom kicked a student out, they understood what would happen.
Students were careful to
not even toss a piece of clay in the trash can, as it might be seen
as throwing. I demonstrated
walking over to the trash and carefully placing a hard chunk of old
clay in it. I don't think this
will help you this year. But in the future your students need to
understand that it's a privilege
to work with these materials. But you must clear your procedures with
all staff involved so
everyone is supportive.
As for cutting class, I'm amazed that it is tolerated. We allowed
one tardy per nine weeks
before consequences set in. If they actually cut class they would be
in ISS for sure. Those students
were not even allowed to eat lunch with other students. And yes, art
web quests seem to be
a solution but I'd prefer books, with paper and pencil essays.
Computers seem like a reward.
Best of Luck, Woody
And yes, I'll delete your earlier message of January 20th.
On Jan 16, 2007, at 5:41 PM, Julie wrote:
> Hi All,
>
> We have a 20-day rotation schedule at the middle school where I
> teach and I
> am now the lucky recipient of a group of unruly, ill-behaved 8th
> grade boys.
> Out of 14 students 3 or 4 are actually willing to work (I teach
> ceramics).
> Others either cut the class and show up in the middle of class
> escorted by
> security, still others sit in the class and refuse to do work of
> any kind.
> Today was a wonderful opportunity to throw clay at each other and
> around the
> classroom. I've been teaching at this school for three years and
> at least
> once during the year I get a class full of boys just like this.
> I've tried
> everything I know (even humor doesn't seem to be working in this
> case) so I
> was thinking maybe I'll bring the class up to the media center and
> they can
> do art webquests or read art books and write for the remaining 16
> days. I
> feel bad for the 3 or 4 who would like to work but I can't leave
> them alone
> in the classroom. Any suggestions? Thanks. Julie
