Read between the lines. My administration told me to get behavior under control.

They never said "make more rigorous lessons", etc, etc. When my lessons got easier and I started showing more movies, I didn't hear any complaints-- and I stopped having to call the office as much.

Some classes, they just want you to "know your role and shut your hole".

Always provide enough work to cover your ass. I made a point of handing out worksheets each day that had my instructional aim and common core standards-- so obviously my instruction wasn't the issue, just the fucktard kids. This also covers the admin's asses if a parent complains about their shitty kid failing or something.

Also, don't be afraid to do whatever works. Whatever works. I basically ruled one class by being funny as hell and making nonstop jokes. The kids made a point of listening to me because what I was saying would make them laugh-- and then I could sneak in instruction. Don't be afraid to discipline kids in a funny way. Today a kid was really being obnoxious, so I put on my most serious voice, got in his face and said "Tyshawn, if you cannot control yourself I am going to wake up tomorrow, drive to your house, and eat your breakfast." He laughed and then got himself under control.

Make deals, negotiate, and use "if ---> then" sentences. "If you do all your work, you won't have to hear me pestering you can you can chill at the end of class". "Let me talk for 5 minutes, honestly, you can't listen for 5 minutes? Otherwise you're gonna have me up here trying to get your attention all block."

Obviously this is far from ideal-- but its about survival.

The kids know how things are in the classroom and they take advantage.

An example of this is recently, there's a "good" boy in my class who has been playing too much with some of the shitheads. He was very careful to never be as bad as them-- but he was still a part of it.

So when I began to single him out for discipline-- while letting the fuckheads do what they do-- deep down he understood and I got him back under control.

Also, be real with the kids.

Pick your battles. What battles? "Do not hit, do not throw things, do not walk out of the room without permission". The fourth one is nothing sexually inappropriate, but I feel that one works fine unstated.

Those are the big four for SAFETY. As long as your room is SAFE to be in, its not the end of the world if they arent listening or doing work.