That's a red card

Starting a new job is never an easy thing, but it becomes even trickier when the job you are starting is mid-way through a school year and replaces a previous long-standing teacher. In January I took over for the English language specialist at a local elementary school and the last month has been spent trying to fit into these shoes, but the fit is not perfect.
Most of the kids have adapted to me and my classroom management style well, but there is one group I continue to struggle with...my 6th graders. Well, one 6th grader in particular. He demonstrates nothing but disrespect at every turn and makes me feel as if I have no control over four kids. An amazing feeling for any teacher. I've tried many ways to motivate him and the others including a point system, but at every turn I'm met with whining and unruliness.

Today, I was brought to tears out of frustration after the 6th graders departed, something that has maybe happened five times in my teaching career. After one too many times asking him to stop referring to Mexican gangsters, Cholos more specifically, and constantly disrupting the others during writing time, I took him outside to speak with him. I was patient, but clearly done putting up with his attitude. He responded typically by avoiding eye contact and more attitude, grrrrr I'm quite annoyed at this point. Let me be perfectly clear just how hard it is to push Ms. Fetrow's buttons, definite force is necessary and this kid hits them all in record time.

After venting a bit with the other ELD teacher, she has also taught this group, I decide that I need pointers, like NOW. I went to find his classroom teacher for a bit of a chat. Apparently this kid thinks everyone is out to get him and thus is defensive ALL the time. His teacher proposes a point system/behavior plan that just might work. Since the boys are all avid soccer players and fans why not use yellow and red cards? Each student starts with 5 pts. every class, but if behavior issues arise they can be given a yellow card-2 pts. lost or a red card-3 pts. lost. Each week the students can earn up to 20 pts. and in this student's case a call home at the end of each week to report GOOD behavior to mom and dad. I won't know until tomorrow if the kid's response to the new plan will be positive, but I'm optimistic. Here's to being completely ok with NOT having all the answers and needing help from others who have more experience.