when behavior plans dont work...

At the beginning of the school year I went over my behavior plan w/ my students (I teach self-contained 7th and 8th grades). checks are good, x's bad. Checks mean they get free homework passes and candy. x's mean phone calls home (Our school wants us to stay away from neg. reinforcement- so I'm trying to "push" the hw passes and candy).

Well, there's one kid who is just not movtivated by ANYTHING and my behavior plan doesnt matter at all to him. He does his other h.w in my class. When I ask him to put it away- he doesn't. When I ask him to give it to me- he taunts me...dangling it in front of my face and then pulls it away. He clicks his pen constantly until I have to take that away (and that was a struggle, he held it up in the air as if to say "ha-ha you can't have it!)

He talks to all the other students..stands up and walks around in the middle of class..and is just overall rude and distracting.

The school wants us to work on handling ALL problems in class first (meaning keeping them away from administrators..detentition, etc).

Any advice on how I can handle this within the classroom? Nothing seems to work, and I'm afraid this early if he keeps it up, I'll look like a pushover.

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

does he do anything good?

maybe try to find one thing - just him doing some work and give a call home saying that he got off to a rocky start, but it seems that it looks like he is really starting to care - kind of thing.


otherwise, is there a place to isolate him in class and try to ignore his bad behavior? offer a fun activity and tell him he can participate when he finishes his work.

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

i dont know how functioning he is but can you sit and talk with him and find out something that is an incentive to him? something only he can work for. computer time etc??

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

Thanks! I'm going to try some more positive reinforcement. I'm buying lots of candy today lol..they love candy. maybe that will help.

Its hard to isolate him from the rest of the kids- my classroom is very small and there are only 6 of them!

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

I would ignore his behavior for a while. It seems like he likes the attention of getting in trouble and getting a rise out of you. I would also try to get the other students to ignore him as well. Once he is no longer getting the attention he seeks he may modify his behavior. I often find, that when the students no longer pay attention the bad behavior goes away a little. Once he feels left out he may want to participate in a more positive way.

Also, giving students like this some sort of job that allows him to get out of his seat once in a while also may help.

Message edited 9/19/2009 11:37:24 AM.

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

Message edited 1/20/2011 10:42:21 PM.

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

I teach a self-contained class as well, except at the 3rd and 4th grade level. I had a few students last year that behaved as your student currently does. I would begin by ignoring the negative behavior...as long as it does not interfere with anyone's safety. When he does something positive...anything...even if it is just for a second, reward it like crazy and tell him why. In the beginning, it may be tough to find something positive, but look for it. Also, like others said, try to get him on your side by giving him some responsibility...i.e., a job. Make sure the job is something desireable. Finally, get his parents involved. I know that some parents have no involvement, but push to get them to come in, sit down together, and discuss your plan with them. Keep those communication lines open. They may lead you to finding out about something that he may be willing to work for. Good luck.

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

Thanks for the responses everyone!

Re: when behavior plans dont work...

I agree with the advice about ignoring. Also, I would try to avoid any kind of struggle over papers or pens like you mentioned. Just ignore it. By trying to take it away from him, it gives him power. I would remind him that he is not to be doing his HW in your class and if he ignores you there are consequences like not getting the rewards the other kids are getting. If you give him too much attention for bad behaviors it will reinforce him. If it escalates you should get admin involved whether they like it or not!