Constant noise in class

[dkd1173]

Any tips for a child who talks out, sings, and makes noises in class CONSTANTLY? This is my tenth year teaching (4th grade), but he is one of the worst cases, and one of the most persistent, that I've ever seen. He is low academically and has significant speech problems, which he is getting help for. I have tried ignoring him and had a conversation with the rest of the class about ignoring him but that only works for so long due to the fact that he justs keeps going and going, and eventually someone will (yes, sometimes me, because I just can't take anymore!) respond to him. I've also tried praising him when he is NOT making noise, which isn't very often. Nothing seems to make a big difference. Mom is pretty much unavailable - all of her phone numbers are disconnected and I've asked for a conference 3 times with no response. I am trying to get him tested for learning disabilities but without her permission that won't happen, so who knows if we'll ever get to that point. I know that he is doing this for attention because I've observed him looking around the room to see whose attention he is catching while he is making noise. It is really hard to teach with him in the room. When he is not here it's like I have a whole different class. I know that life at home is probably not easy for him, but I am quickly running out of sympathy. Any suggestions would be great!

 

[Teach4]

Noises

Is there a time during the day when the whole class could get up, stretch, and make noise (within reason). If there is, you could do that, even more than once per day if needed and time permits. If noises continue after that you could say, "I'm sorry, we worked out all our energy earlier and we're ready for __________ now."

Otherwise, what are your options about moving him away from the group? Could he have his own "special area" further away so his not disturbing his classmates so much?

Final thought (and this is extreme) could he go outside the classroom (hallway, etc.) to settle down at times during the day? I've had kids who just "needed" to shout out, make noise, etc. They would remove themselves from the classroom for a bit and then come back when they could calm down.

 

[Don]

It sounds like a child I had before. The intervention that worked for me was giving him some one-on-one time because it sounds like he's looking for attention. This was accomplished during a recess of part of a lunch period.

 

[ChrisAnnette]

ChrisAnnette

Sounds like he could have ADHD also. I guess not much you can do if you can not reach a parent. Does he get picked up after school? If so, maybe follow him out one day to talk to the parent there.
Giving the class specific times for stretching, talking to one another, etc.. is good and then during teaching right after you implement this, warn them about no talking while the teacher is talking and whoever does is going to the office. (Maybe let the office know you are going to try this with this boy and that he probably will be coming.) Maybe after that one time, he will stop...depending upon how they discipline him in the office.

 

[dkd1173]

Thanks

Thanks for all of the suggestions. He has already been to the office many times this year. It hasn't changed his behavior so far. He has had out-of-school suspension as well as in-school suspension. I am getting ready to send his mom a registered letter stating that the school must have a working phone number for her and again restating the urgent need for a conference. I just don't understand how a parent can completely ignore repeated requests for conferences. In my mind, that's child neglect. I think that with his environment at home, not a whole lot we do at school is going to change things, but I will keep trying. Thanks for letting me vent!