A healthy dose of discipline

Classroom discipline is probably my biggest struggle. I can't stand sending students out of the classroom, whether to the Behavior Intervention Office (BIO), the main office, or even another teacher's classroom. When the student walks out of my classroom that means that something broke down, that I failed in some way to get the students attention enough for them to be on-task and doing what they are supposed to. I try my best to give students second and third chances, to just re-direct them in an attempt to get them on track. However, most of you who teach middle school know that this approach does not always work the best. Especially when you have students who are manipulative. They'll push that envelope and push that limit as far as they can.

My 4th period class is a class of sixth graders. Typically, sixth graders are the best behaved of the three grades of middle school. They are fresh from elementary school, their parents typically are more involved in their lives, and they are more eager to learn (typically). For exploratory classes at my school, sixth grade classes switch every quarter, so this will be my fourth and final 4th period group of sixth graders. 97% of the class is great- 3 boys in the class are not so great. On Wednesday, I talked with an EA (Educational Assistant) who helps in the classroom about the classroom environment. She helped me to realize that by giving these boys more and more chances to perform in the classroom I was just limiting the other student's ability to work in my class. The boys would harass, bother, distract, and destroy the concentration of other groups in the class. So I finally decided I need to just put my foot down and 'be mean.'

Thursday (yesterday) turned out to be a perfect 4th period. Here's what happened:
Boy #1- in ISS all day. I didn't even have to worry about him. I DID however, write a nice little note to his guardians informing them of his recent behavior in my class.
Boy #2- Within the first five minutes of class received two strikes (on three strikes they get moved to a different location-BIO room, classroom next door, etc.) For 2/3 of the period he stayed with his group and at least appeared to be working. With about 15 minutes left in class he decided to throw a piece of balsa wood with glue on it at another student (it got stuck on her sweatshirt and she didn't even know it was there). I sent him next door to a teacher who he does not like to complete a behavior reflection assignment and write a letter of apology to the student.
Boy #3- Within the first five minutes of class, received 3 strikes, and got sent to the door of the classroom until I was done giving instructions to the class (I didn't want to send him out because I figured if I could impress upon him I was serious, he had the chance of shaping up for the rest of the period). After I sent the class to work, I went to talk to him. I asked if he was ready to work with the rest of the class, to which he responded yes. I told him he would sit in a stool where his group was working and he was forbidden to EVER get up out of that stool for anything unless he had my permission. And he did exactly that. Everytime I looked to find out where he was and what he was doing, he was in the stool, working with his group. Only twice did he leave the stool, and those times he was either coming to find me to get some assistance, or seeking for materials his group needed to work on his project.

At least I had success with 1 out of the 3. Now I just have to remember to be consistent to either keep these 3 boys on track or keep them from distracting the rest of the class and we just might have a successful rest of the quarter.