[Teachldsseminary] Help--A few unruly students

[lorizee1@comcast.net]

Hi!  I'm very new to this forum (like a week), so forgive me if this is a topic already covered.

I team-teach an early morning seminary class in Washington state.  We have about 4 students (out of 15) who act up.  They come in late, switch seats, talk, throw papers at other students, want to leave (or do leave) in the middle of class to roam halls (and are often corraled and come back), text-message on phones, etc.  In general, they are disrupting class, A LOT!  My teammate teacher and I are not sure what we can do about this.  (We do not teach together, but trade, with one teaching 3 times per week, another twice.  I confess the class is a bit better for me, but the "problem students" still misbehave for me too.)  This class has also been a problem for other teachers prior to this year.  This a class of Jrs and Seniors.  The "disruptors" are for the most part 3 junior-age boys, with one senior-age girl.

I've posed the idea of visiting with each student (all seminary students, but beginning with the disruptors first) in their homes, one-on-one to (a) get to know them better, and (b) see if we can't make some ground with them.  I believe that will help, but I'm not sure it is the cure.  

Any suggestions?  All answers would be very helpful!  Our stake supervisor has offered a few suggestions, but I don't like the idea of having a "time-out" for the students, either.  Do you believe home study (with a once-a-week lesson) is a suggestion?  At what point should we start involving the parents?

Thanks!
Lori Zander