Year 9 Studio Art

As the day went on I familiarised myself with the school environment. I new the school well but the staff had changed a lot so it was a time for meeting them. My next class was with the year 9 Studio art class. I was fascinated with this group as they had no continuity. About half entered the classroom without any change of their behaviour ie; chatting, running, listening to music on the ipod. They did not acknowledge the teacher (Bev) or myself as if we weren't even there. This continued as Bev tied to gain their attention to the course work. They attempted the work but it was robotic and not considered.
One half of the group were quiet and hardly responded to the Bev's attempts to interact however they did what was required in terms of the lesson.
There seems to be a sense that the students "have to be there", but would rather be somewhere else. This was an elective too so I assume they felt this was the easiest class to do - to bludge in.
I also felt that the teaching and learning was done between their conversations.
This was a single period where the lesson was designed to cover theory or discussion or exercises in preparation for the double class during the week.