Souless Wonders

I teach a group of souless wonders. They are led by an evil queen and they fall under her spell (we don't know why). This is the group that torments the unfortunate (see previous posts - but I don't remember what I called the evil queen. Her object of torment was Sweetie). Yesterday a fight almost happened, in large part because the evil queen and her minions were laughing.

Personally, I think they sold their souls for brains and were shortchanged.

In any case, their laughing (which was for the simple reason that they thought they were going to be entertained with a fight, they didn't care who fought) almost led two kids with too much macho and too little awareness to accommodate them.

Today, Toady wanted to know what the punishments (for the two boys) were. I ignored him. He asked which teachers weren't getting contracts. I ignored him.

Another student called me by the wrong name - then profusely apologized (because it was an accident). Of course, the evil queen and her minions started laughing as soon as the wrong name was spoken. Student said "Ricochet, it was an accident. I didn't mean disrespect." I told him I knew that. That the only disrespect was from the fools who laughed. (and, yes, I said fools)

Surprisingly, they said nothing.

Maybe they have started ignoring me as much as I ignore them.

On a good note, a student who left this class returned to ask for math help. It was so good to see her!!

Some of these kids I will miss.

(Darkling is the name I used for the evil queen and the other [main] jackal is the toady)

Need Advice

I teach a handicapped boy. What the handicap is, is irrelevant. He is really sweet and likes to get up and dance. And normally, I don't care. But I am aware that there is a big difference between laughing with someone and laughing at them.

There are two jackals in this class. It is obvious they were born handicapped as well (no hearts) and prod Sweetie into dancing so they can laugh at him.

Sweetie doesn't see that it is bullying (for which I am grateful). Talking to the jackals does no good as, like most bullies, they twist what you are saying and make what they are doing sound so reasonable. (I talked with a couple of the other kids, ones I know will work with Sweetie and help him - they agree with my assessment. The jackals only help themselves.)

None of the moms will be any help.

Sweetie's lives in the Valley of Denial.

One jackal's mom is a handwringer. The other will attack you if you suggest her DARLING boy did ANYTHING less than perfection. (I mistyped Darling as Darkling - it is closer to the truth.) I will not miss either jackal when this year is over.

I feel like I should write the jackals up - but I cannot see how to do this as they are not overt in anything that they do. I don't want to rock Sweetie's boat.

The jackals are so good they don't even use vocabulary that will let me get them under the radar.

Ideas?