Students and behavior

What can be done for students who undermine a teacher's attempts at imparting knowledge?  Many options come to mind...
1. Isolate the rude students- relegate them to the back of the room and do NOT acknowledge the noise they collectively make.

2. "I" messages- I am happy that so many of you are interested in learning about Jackie Robinson and how he is a role model to athletics and others.  
What can I do to help you get organized...focused...involved...?

3. Parent contact used to work, but as we all know "My child always behaves at home."  Or, "My child was never a problem until he/she had you as a teacher." 

4. Reward the students who are not causing problems.  This, unfortunately, does work with seventh graders, so I am off to Target to buy pencils and treats for the good kids!

Waiting to teach

I love seventh grade for many reasons and that is why I opt to teach it.
I love writing- being able to express oneself through writing sets us apart as a creative thinking individual.

I love social studies and creative problemsolving.  Current issues:  North and South Korea and will they ever reunite?  Pollution in much of Asia- what can be done?  Overcrowded cities.  Natural disasters- tsunami in Japan of this year.  How will/can the country recover?

Why is learning a new language sometimes difficult?  I have been working on Mandarin Chinese for about five years, but it is still hard because I did not learn this as a child.  I still appreciate trying to speak Mandarin with my friend, Alice Zhao.