I am a kindergarten teacher, and currently have 18 students. I am alone throughout the day with all of my students, except for 45 minutes in the morning when we do small literacy based groups and then 45 minutes in the evening for small math groups. This year I have a very difficult class, and am struggling to find the answer to having a positive school year for my students and myself. I have five children with very difficult behaviors. 2 of the students in my class have already been identified as ADHD (one on medication), and 1 child is being tested to determine if they are ADHD by their parents as well because their sibling has already been identified. My day is usually very hectic, inspite of the many procedures I have already taught and implemented in my class. I must break everything down step by step, and must have a very structured and directed classroom. I am use to allowing my students more choice and freedom in class but this is not possible this year because of major disruptions that have occurred in the past. These are some of the major problems. Student 1 - frequent temper tantrums, constantly out of seat and disrupting with talking, whining, crying, unable to sit still during instruction (less roaming now than at beginning of the year), very dependent. Student 2 - defiant attitude, constantly out of seat, jumping around class whenever we transition (example collecting mats for rest or going to bathrooms), loud and constantly yelling out answers during lessons inspite of frequent reminders, etc., and inappropriate behaviors in bathrooms. Student 3 - unable to sit still or concentrate, needs someone to stand beside them at all times to keep them focused and on task (which is impossible since I am alone the majority of the day), constantly touching things in classroom, laying on carpet instead of sitting up and paying attention, climbing on desk, etc. Student 4 - constantly hitting other children, disrespectful to adults and children in my class and others in school, unable to walk in line correctly without pushing or touching others and must walk with me along with 2 other students in my class because of behavior, unable to work cooperatively in small groups, uses inappropriate language in class and particular when talking about females. Student 5 - temper tantrums when upset, dangerous behaviors such as hitting head on the wall or anything else around, jumping around class and touching others, refusal to follow instructions when angry. I have tried variety of behavior modifications, different seating arrangements, rewards/loss of priveledges, etc. and asked parent volunteers to come in because I need someone else in class throughout day and this is not provided by our school system. My class does a lot better when I have help to monitor these 5 children. The majority of the other 13 students follow directions well, are on task, etc. but my entire class looks disorganized and poorly behaved when we constantly have these types of behaviors occurring in class, halls, cafeteria, etc. Please send any suggestions that you might have to help me under the circumstances. Your suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Re: Help! Ideas needed.
Wow, you really have your hands full. I hope some off these help..I am sure you are trying lots. (structure, structure, structure)
My suggestions… talk to all the parents about your needs. Get a volunteer schedule set up so you have at least one or more parents in the class at all times have them targeted to monitor some of your difficult kids or some of your better kids and you stick with the challenging ones
Candy. reward small gains with small tokens of candy…I use that with my 12-14 year olds and it works wonders
class points.. 10 points at the end of a period equals some reward. you could target certain children to earn points for the whole class. (Johnny, if you don’t touch Sara for 15 minutes you earn 2 points for the class) if you say this to the whole class perhaps the other children will help
Just read the rest of your e-mail and you have tried some of these suggestions. What about some referrals to psycholotists, especially for dangerous behaviours. These kids obviously need tons more help than you can offer
The reward thing has to be absolutely immediate… target one behaviour for each child and tell them. Reward for small gains.
Man… You sound like your class is really challenging. I thought I had it tough with 14 ADHD, LD boys aged 12-14
I’d say you are doing everything you can and are obviously doing your best. One last suggestion… are their other mature kids in the school or in a school close by that could help and be buddied part of the time with your needy kids?
Good luck
Re: Help! Ideas needed.
My dds’ elementary school uses these types of positive reinforcement school-wide. While I’ve seen it with both dd’s teachers, the school usually pays particular attention to teacher assigned to my 4th grade ADHD’er.
This stuff works - I’ve volunteered for class parties and am amazed at how polite and well behaved the classes are. When they go to gym, library, etc.the those teachers give them points on a scale of 1-5 for behavior, they get more points if they were lined up properly and silent walking back to the classroom. When they get enought points, the kids get a treat that they vote on (the 3rd grade teacher would have them have lunch in the classroom and watch a video). Everything is team, cooperation, respect for others, etc. There’s many more examples (“gotcha being good” treats for listening). Some of their teachers have used a jar of marble on the teacher’s desk for all to see - good behavior points = more marbles added to the jar.
Also, consistent and clear expectations - everyone knows what behavior is expected.
As for the OP, she does have her hands full - don’t have much advice there. She’s got kids getting used to Kind. routines plus those who have issues who haven’t been identified yet - that’s a handful.
I still hold a grudge against my ADHD’ers kind. teacher (she was diagnosed in 1st grade). This woman saw my dd had issues but instead of trying to understand why - preferred to believe my dd was willfully lazy, not applying herself, just not smart, etc. and questioned what was going on at home. I would have much preferred objective observations without the judgemental comments. She was new to teaching Kind. - versus her years spent in 3rd grade where most kids with issues have usually been already identified.
All I will implore is please remember a 5/6 yo does not want to do poorly for anyone - behavior or school work. If you understand and believe that, it will help give you the patience to develop strategies for your particular classroom and those particular students. You sound like a great teacher just for asking the question.
Re: Help! Ideas needed.
Ditto the Wow! You must get some serious help from special services in your district. Have someone come in and observe and offer some help and suggestions.
You also must start small. By that I mean define the behaviors you want to see exactly, using positive language. Choose no more than 3. For example: Keep hands to yourself; or sit in your seat. The behaviors you want to see must be incompatible with the disruptive behaviors, so that by complying, the child cannot engage in the negative behaviors. Give tangible rewards at frequent intervals (5 minutes or less if possible). Rewards could be a circle filled in on an index card taped to the desk or a sticker on a card. 3 stickers or more gets you something from the treasure chest (box with toys, erasers, pencils, etc.) before lunch and at the end of the day (more frequently if necessary). See if you can arrange with someone for a time out room. Send a child to time out to calm down (not for punishment) where no one interacts with the student except to supervise. Good luck
Re: Help! Ideas needed. - Update!
Hello, everyone. I would just like to tell everyone thanks for all the great suggestions and support. I have seen improvements in my class during the second nine weeks specifically with the students described in my previous post, which I am excited about. I have been focusing on positive reinforcements for small gains as everyone has been stating over and over, and also made some adjustments in my classroom such as new student seating (again!), new music for variety (to help calm my class), and completely did away with the original discipline chart that I was using along with the rest of my grade group (because it was not working with my class). I love hearing all of the suggestions and trying new ideas, so please keep sending your input and ideas. Thanks so much!
Re: Help! Ideas needed. - Update!
That is wonderful. I am doing a project on ADHD and specific Teaching Strategies. The book “How to Reach and Teach ADD/ADHD Children” by Sandra F. Rief has an entire section devoted specically to Kindergarten teachers. “All About ADHD: The Complete Practical Guide for Classroom Teachers” by Linda Pfiffner also has some great ideas. Good luck!
Wow, you really have your hands full. I hope some off these help..I am sure you are trying lots. (structure, structure, structure)
My suggestions… talk to all the parents about your needs. Get a volunteer schedule set up so you have at least one or more parents in the class at all times have them targeted to monitor some of your difficult kids or some of your better kids and you stick with the challenging ones
Candy. reward small gains with small tokens of candy…I use that with my 12-14 year olds and it works wonders
class points.. 10 points at the end of a period equals some reward. you could target certain children to earn points for the whole class. (Johnny, if you don’t touch Sara for 15 minutes you earn 2 points for the class) if you say this to the whole class perhaps the other children will help