How to Get Control of Your Middle School Class as a Substitute Teacher

When you are a substitute teacher, you face a lot of challenges in a middle school classroom that you won’t have to deal with in an elementary classroom. Order is of utmost importance. If there is no order, you can’t teach or do anything else. Middle school students oftentimes come into the classroom looking to cause discord and disruptions simply because there is a sub in the room. Those who don’t show attitude will try stuff like, “I gotta give my sister her book,” “I need to go to my locker”--anything to get out of the room. These actions must be nipped before they even start. Read on to learn how to get control of your middle school class as a substitute teacher.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A strong personality

1. Find out from school administration how they back up substitute teachers. Will they come to the classroom if needed? Will they let you send kids to the office? Will they let you call a parent?

2. Find out about the school’s washroom policy. Some schools allow students certain times to go, others leave it up to the teacher’s discretion. As a rule, I only allow washroom during the last 10 minutes of the class. You can’t control the class if kids are in and out of your room all during the class.

3. Write the rules on the board before class begins. In this case, the rules should state all the things they cannot do.

4. Stand outside the classroom and do not let students enter until they are calm. Do not let them in if they are acting up. If they say, “Mr. Taylor lets us come in,” you calmly respond, “I’m not Mr. Taylor. You’ll come in when you are quiet.” This establishes immediate authority. The students may not immediately calm down, but they’ll know you mean business.

5. Go over your “No” rules with students. Speak calmly and quietly. This sets a tone of you having control and no fear of them.

6. Take attendance. You can get a very good assessment of a student’s potential behavior by how they act while you’re doing this. Make mental notes of potential problem kids.

7. Call parents if necessary. Don’t hesitate. This is highly effective. If students know you’ll call their parents, it definitely goes a long way in the control game.

8. Enforce your rules. If you don’t follow your own rules, neither will the students. If you say you’re going to write a discipline notice, write it. If you say you’re going to call a parent, call.

9. Leave a detailed note for the teacher about what went on during each class period. This, too, goes a long way because students know you’re reporting back to their teacher.

[danielzrib]

on 1/8/2008 This is an excellent article with valid suggestions. My mom is a Jr. High public school teacher, and she rules her classroom by some of these principles. Five stars!