Submitted by Patty O., Arkansas

Idea posted October 26, 2004

I've gone from about 15 bad, disrespectful, and defiant students (seven to eight students per class) down to two in each class. What a remarkable difference that makes!

How did I do it? It was "Plan C" that has made the difference. I called parents of every student in these two classes. I told the parents of good students how wonderful their children were, and that I have been working very hard to get those who are full of disrespect "in line." I praised their children and their parenting in every way I could, and I ended each of the conversations by saying, "Your child has honored your family name." I also called all the bad students' parents. I explained the problem and requested that I needed their "parental support." With the exception of two parents, they were all very supportive. What a difference! Their children have completely turned around since I made the calls. The good students voiced how surprised and happy they were that I would care enough to call their parents and tell them how good they were in class. Those who had been misbehaving came to class with their tails between their legs since I made the phone calls. I was truly surprised as to the positive, quick results from making these calls. (I started calling at 3:00 p.m. and finished at 7:00 p.m. It was worth every minute!)

Now, what do I do with the two or three from each class that continue to blurt out anything, anytime, about any subject? I send them to the hall with their desk. They thought they would be happy with this until they found out what they had to do while out in the hall. Below is a letter I prepared and got cleared by my principal.

Letter:

I will mail a copy of this letter to your parents and let them know about this assignment. Do this assignment at home over the weekend. Ask one of your parents to sign the completed assignment and return it to me this coming Monday.

If you are not able to complete this assignment this weekend you will be able to complete it during noon lunch detention this coming week in the music room - beginning Monday. The assignment needs to be completed and signed by a parent by Friday of next week. If you have not fulfilled this obligation by Friday, I will report you to the office disciplinarian.

I am giving this assignment to you in hopes that you will no longer disrupt music class sessions with actions of disrespect. I will prepare a music packet that will include music concepts based upon the music national standards. You will work on the packet in the hallway during music class time. You will not be denied a daily grade. I will give you a daily grade based upon the work you complete while working in the hallway.

Instructions:
1. Write down the following questions. Write down the answers concerning each trait of respect. Be sure your answers explain how you can use these traits of respect in the classroom. These questions are based upon facts about respect.
2. Your work needs to be neat and legible.
3. It needs to be signed by a parent and completed within a seven-day period. (by next Friday)
1. How can I listen without interrupting the class activities?
2. How can I take the teacher's and classmates' feelings into consideration?
3. How can I keep an open mind when I'm in a class in which I don't want to be?
4. How can I agree to disagree with the teacher and classmates without disrupting the entire class session?
5. How can I try to understand the teacher's and classmates' viewpoint without causing disruption?
6. How can I learn to love myself?
7. How can I show trust and honesty in the classroom?
8. How can I give the teacher and my classmates their space without causing disruption?
9. How can I be nonviolent in the classroom?
10. How can I direct my communication in a respectful way to the teacher and my classmates?
11. How can I build the teacher and my classmates up instead of tearing them down?
12. How can I develop friendships with my teacher and my classmates?
13. How can I not put unnecessary pressure on my teacher and my classmates?

Hope this helps anyone out there who is at a loss. It sure worked for me. I'm actually teaching these students now, and they are learning!