I spent today working with a substitute teacher in my placement. I knew in advance I would be having a substitute so it wasn’t as if anything came as a shock to me. What I found amusing though is the complete shift in a student’s attitude toward class as soon as they learn that the regular teacher is not going to be present for the day’s lesson. Depending on the student it can mean a lot of things. Many take it as an opportunity to be as defiant as possible with the assumption that since the sub and teacher are not the same person, they will not be reprimanded but lightly by the sub and nothing will come of it later. Others seem to think that all sub-assigned work is not “real” work or does not need to be turned in on time. These two modes of thinking in particular are too often supported by the teachers themselves who do not put repercussions in place for student behavior during sub days. It has always been my experience that students are at least always a little more unruly when there is a substitute.
The particular behaviors that I spotted today were more along the lines of “this isn’t real work” as many students were very lax in completing the assignments left for them to do. One pair actually told me directly that they will just turn it in tomorrow instead despite it being due at the end of class. I wasn’t able to work directly with the substitute in all of the classes as I had to work separately with several students on a make-up test in half of the classes today, but reports of the student behavior seem to indicate that the trend of not completing their work continued throughout this period as well.
This isn’t to say this is the worst sub behavior I have ever seen (it is not by far), but it begs the question if there is anything to be done that can stop the downward spiral of students being unruly to substitutes. I’ve noticed that when the sub is there for several days in classes, things tend to get worse and worse as time goes on. I’ve been told that repeated procedural work should keep the students in line of their own accord even without direct teacher intervention (I’ve yet to actually see any empirical evidence to support this, but that is beside the point), however, it seems despite a sturdy set of procedures, students would often rather see how far away from the standard norms they can get. There weren’t any major issues, but in all honesty, there shouldn’t be -any- issues at all.
Cameron,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you! It can be very intimidating when the teacher is gone and you and the sub are in charge. Unfortunately, it remains a fact of life that students will always test their limits when a substitute is present. They will also test you when it's your turn to take over for your CT! One thing you might try is to discuss with your CT the protocol for classroom managment when he's absent. If he has strict regulations for this situation, you'll be better prepared to help the sub maintain control of the class. Also, if your CT is going to gone, maybe you can ask him to remind students of the way he expects them to while he's away--and that there WILL be repercussions should they fail to behave for the sub.
As sad as it is, some things are just facts of life for a teacher: early mornings, piles of paper, an addiction to caffeinated beverages, and classes of students who prescribe to the age-old adage of: "When the cat's away, the mice can play." The best thing you can do be prepared as possible for these fact of life, and all the others that come along.
Mr. Burge,
ReplyDeleteI agree that if a teacher does not support the work given in their absence, then it is hard to get students to work. If a teacher does not support the sub, by giving consequences, then there is really little the sub can do. I mean, if everyone knew they could speed without getting a ticket, then why would anyone follow the speed limit. There must be at least a threat of punishment for breaking a rule or law to get people to follow that rule or law (by threat I mean not everyone who speeds gets a ticket, but it is a possibility if you are caught by a cop).
I think as a student teacher there is not as much you can do for these students, except hold them accountable while you are in the classroom. If a certain behavior should result in a write up, then you need to make sure that student gets a write up. It only takes one student to misbehave and be accountable for the other students to learn that you mean business. If you CT does not support this, then I would say do your best to back up what the sub says.
As a teacher in the future you must make sure that your students know that you will back up what a sub says. They must understand that all work they do is important and has a due date. It only takes one time for students to understand that you are serious. Just make sure that you follow through as a teacher, and your students will quickly learn that they will be held accountable whether you are in the classroom or not.