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The first year I was at the school I'm now at (this is my 26th year there) I had to teach classes of the kids nobody else wanted (was then and still is a cliqueish school among the staff). Had one kid who could clear the room.
Brought in a roll of toilet paper one day, he let one rip. I tossed him the toilet paper and told him to go clean himself up. He never did it again.
I did have one kid who tried to loose one one day. He lost control of it and, well, had an accident. He turned out to be sick and his mother wouldn't let him stay home. He thanked me at graduation for never mentioning it.
Which was different than the football player who lost bowel control making a tackle one game.
The first year I was at the school I'm now at (this is my 26th year there) I had to teach classes of the kids nobody else wanted (was then and still is a cliqueish school among the staff). Had one kid who could clear the room.
Brought in a roll of toilet paper one day, he let one rip. I tossed him the toilet paper and told him to go clean himself up. He never did it again.
I did have one kid who tried to loose one one day. He lost control of it and, well, had an accident. He turned out to be sick and his mother wouldn't let him stay home. He thanked me at graduation for never mentioning it.
Which was different than the football player who lost bowel control making a tackle one game.
It happens all of the time; it's just that I have the wrong personality to cope with it. I would like to learn otherwise, though, even if it is just an act. It would be nice to be able to put on another persona just to be able to communicate with these kids more effectively. I don't have a very well developed personality and wish I had a script. Many of the situations I encounter in the classroom I have no schema for dealing with. Others don't have that problem. I think I would be the best teacher anyone has ever seen if I only had a list of general rules for common situations and even a few practice scripts. You may claim that I don't really need that, but it would make me feel better. After all, magic is all about illusions, and illusions are all about careful planning and precise organizing. People who don't see a need for the script haven't thought about the play.
It happens all of the time; it's just that I have the wrong personality to cope with it. I would like to learn otherwise, though, even if it is just an act. It would be nice to be able to put on another persona just to be able to communicate with these kids more effectively. I don't have a very well developed personality and wish I had a script. Many of the situations I encounter in the classroom I have no schema for dealing with. Others don't have that problem. I think I would be the best teacher anyone has ever seen if I only had a list of general rules for common situations and even a few practice scripts. You may claim that I don't really need that, but it would make me feel better. After all, magic is all about illusions, and illusions are all about careful planning and precise organizing. People who don't see a need for the script haven't thought about the play.
I remember teachers that my class and I showed no mercy to, more than one reduced to tears. I also remember teachers who had a calm authority and classroom control was never an issue. There was little correlation between the ability to calmly control a class and intellectual ability. Those in control were not using a script, those not in control could never have been saved with a script. I apologize if I seem to be hard on you. I have to say substitute teachers almost always have it much worse than everyday teachers.
They're probably making a bigger deal out of it because you're the sub. Sorry but if I remember correctly from grade school 40 something years ago the kids give the sub teacher a hard time. Kids used to make noises like farts when the teachers back was turned and everyone would use the excuse to go crazy and laugh. Not very funny but that's what they did. I have a friend who's a sub and she says some kids are really mean. You aught to ask other subs and regular teachers how they cut it off. Have you tried just clapping your hands abruptly say ok that's enough back to the lesson? Those who don't listen send to the office? I have no idea. Large groups of kids rather scare the $&@/ out of me.
Don't schools give detentions anymore? If they do, give the offender a detention.
First of all, you are a sub, so the kids always act up more with subs. Second, I think you said they are middle school age, so they are very silly at that age. I would give him a detention if you can. That would be your best option IMO.
I remember one time in 8th grade English, the class started laughing about something and got out of control. The teacher made the entire class serve a detention in her room for a half hour after school.
Honestly, after reading all your comments, I would recommend you seek out teaching a grade other than middle school. Maybe college would be more appropriate. The tween years are a tumultuous time for kids that isn't helped AT ALL by teachers who don't understand the age group and can't deal or communicate with them.
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