We all know that middle schoolers are starved for attention most of the time. Some at this point in the year are coming back from holiday break with new found confidence (because they just realized that they are teenagers and better start acting like it). So it was my first day back from a three day break and I had several kids who were trying to make rude comments for attention. My WBT instinct is to ignore it and ding them on the scoreboard, but at this time of year I cannot let such a disruption go unaddressed in the middle of class. For some of my students, the guff counter is a little too frightening. They are very sensitive and defensive about their behavior. The ones who have the behavior problems are not really able to take the kind of peer pressure that the guff counter would result in. Although usually it is a wonderful element, you may find that sometimes the guff counter needs to be left out if your behavior problem kid has a particularly delicate disposition.

Here is one thing I have found that works while still remaining positive and not lecturing in front of peers. I say "Oh, you must want some attention today. I know you would not be saying something like that normally... that is not your style. You are better than that." Then I go on to smile at them and ask some personal questions to feed their attention like "How is your mom?" "Did you have a fun weekend?" "What did you eat for breakfast?" "Do you need a hug?" "May be your friend next to you here will give you a hug or a high five or something."

Although I usually get sour responses, it gets them to stop the rude comments. Here is how it works. The kid who is making rude comments does not want positive attention, he/she wants to look tough in front of friends and if I talk to them in a sweet-aren't you the cutest little thing-voice they don't like it. The worst response I have had from this is quiet... which is okay with me. It works the same as the teacher vs. student scoreboard, but on a personal level.