When she was pulled out of Science class, she was at first upset, but I told her the truth. Because of the teasing, I felt she needed to be split up, and I wouldn’t have done it if I didn’t think she could handle it on her own. She is doing fine in the class, the teacher is tall, big, and handsome, so she listens to him!!!
She loves the social aspect of school. She is a really neat kid. I really like her. Although she can be very mean and cruel, she has a warm side to her, that another one of my students (who teases others too, but is sneaky about it) lacks. She will only do the work in classes where she is good in them, which is two classes. Science (with the handsome teacher) and Geography, who is a strict disciplinarian (kids are afraid of her). In my room sometimes she will work, and other days she won’t. Today she did, she grasped the math quickly and became my “helper”. What a nice day. I think this is something I can utilize. I really hate kicking her out of my room, but when it gets to the point of calling other people’s names, I will not tolerate it. I sometimes get angry with her and yell, which i don’t like to do. I think as I become a more experienced teacher, I won’t yell as much, because I don’t yell as much as I used to!! I figured out a long time ago to never argue with her, because she will search for any kind of wriggle room she can get. Yesterday, I tried to talk to her about the incident where she called another girl stupid, and wouldn’t quit, so I made her leave. Well, she tried to argue with me,a nd I really have to bite my tongue. But I told her that I refuse to argue with her. End of discussion. We can talk later. And we did in a calm fashion. So I am slowly learning.
With regards to the LA teacher, I do not to play the bad guy in there. I don’t have to in other rooms. I will try to keep her on task, but I will not kick her out or punish her, she is fighting the battle with him, not me. Lately the teacher has been kicking her out, but she is still being very rude to him. I have been asking my principal for a long time to sit down and go over a behavior plan with her, but it never happens. I am not really sure what to do, i have only implemented one other behavior plan. I don’t even know where to begin.
I know she is very unhappy and angry. Her twin is the opposite, very quiet and withdrawn. That is how she deals with things, she erupts, letting everyone know how she feels. That is a great quality to have, but only if used appropriately. I really struggle with her. I am hoping that as her being my helper, she will feel better about my class. But in the other classes, i am not sure what to do. Thanks again, Rebecca
Re: Answering Sara's question
You are right, there isn’t much I can do in the LA class. I really dislike playing the bad guy, that is why I became a spec. teacher. Thank you for saying that to me (about how caring I am) it brought tears to my eyes. Sometimes (as I am sure many others do) I feel like I am not getting anywhere with some of these kids. I also feel that a behavior plan is not likely to change her behavior also. She is strong willed, and won’t likely pay attention to what a piece of paper says. I never realized how important my philosophy about education makes such an impact on my teaching. Reading your philosophy really made me look at mine. Thanks again,
RebeccaSara wrote:
>
> As I read this post, I found myself thinking how fortunate
> your students and maybe particularly this student are to have
> you for a teacher. Your sense of caring comes through so
> strongly.
>
> As sadly frustrating as it is, sometimes we have to accept
> what we can’t do. I respect your decision not to play the
> bad guy in the LA class. If the LA teacher won’t respond to
> this student productively, than it seems as though you’ll
> have to “bite the bullet” and watch her take apart his class.
>
> I also respect your decision to have her moved out of your
> science class and that it upset her is a positive sign.
>
> I’ve taught kids whose negative disruption wrecks the class.
> As you realize, all of those kids who do this are already
> unhappy. Unhappy students are really the hardest to teach
> because their unhappiness makes them the hardest to reach.
>
> I don’t have much faith in behavior plans. Often I think
> behavior plans look past common sense and usually don’t
> accomplish much. Behavior plans try to orchestrate human
> interaction and I don’t think people orchestrate well.
>
> Your caring for this student, despite the headache she can
> be, I believe is the best thing she can have. She is far
> more likely to remember that than anything else.
Re: Answering Sara's question
Does anyone know of any home studies for Latin? I would be intrested in trying to teach my daughter Latin to see if it helps her with her dyslexia (retaining her spelling).
TIA (thanks in advance)
As I read this post, I found myself thinking how fortunate your students and maybe particularly this student are to have you for a teacher. Your sense of caring comes through so strongly.
As sadly frustrating as it is, sometimes we have to accept what we can’t do. I respect your decision not to play the bad guy in the LA class. If the LA teacher won’t respond to this student productively, than it seems as though you’ll have to “bite the bullet” and watch her take apart his class.
I also respect your decision to have her moved out of your science class and that it upset her is a positive sign.
I’ve taught kids whose negative disruption wrecks the class. As you realize, all of those kids who do this are already unhappy. Unhappy students are really the hardest to teach because their unhappiness makes them the hardest to reach.
I don’t have much faith in behavior plans. Often I think behavior plans look past common sense and usually don’t accomplish much. Behavior plans try to orchestrate human interaction and I don’t think people orchestrate well.
Your caring for this student, despite the headache she can be, I believe is the best thing she can have. She is far more likely to remember that than anything else.