I'm generally happy with my class. A bit low academically, but otherwise a good group. However, I've a few little issues (sorry, I feel like I keep coming here for advice.) In no particular order of problem-ness: 1. I have a morning runner. Never had one before. He clung to his mom the first day, was a bit weepy the next couple, and then seemed fine. Didn't think much of it. Now a few weeks in, he's back to his old habits and Mom can hardly get out the door. In fact, one day she just took him back home, and let him stay home the next. She doesn't speak English so communication is rather difficult, and the kid when asked says there is nothing or no one bothering him. Just doesn't want to be at school. 2. One little girl has come about 4 days. She's very low academically. I had her sister two years ago, but that was when I was hired for the last quarter and was just in survival mode. Sister had the same behavior. They are a nice enough family, and the school gets after them to come. Despite no particular big problems, the parents always have one excuse or another about why getting to school is too hard (we are a charter school with no bus system, so it is really up to the families to get there.) Anywho, the parents admit school would be best to help to her catch up, but keep asking for what the second best thing would be... and that has me at a loss. 3. One boy is just incapable of getting anything finished. I give the kids enough time that most can finish, the rest able to catch up later, but this kid just wants to talk. I moved his seat to be solo to work... he just plays. He knows he's on stuff and every now and then he tries. I'm recording this stuff, but what else is there to do?
No real advice, sorry, but I'm right there with you on number 3. Can you seat him at a desk with no one around and only his pencil and worksheet in front of him?
I have a no-work group this year! About 4 kids who sit and do nothing. All boys too. With one of them, he is so passive aggressive. He sits right next to my desk and refuses to follow any of the directions. Today I lost it with him and hauled him up to the principal's office. I have 4 boys at different corners in the room sitting all by themselves, not to mention the 3 diagnosed ADHD boys, all unmedicated, flopping on the floor and under their desks or incessantly talking/making comments. 7 out of 27 makes for a loooonnnngggg day. I am having to drink wine every night to unwind. Sorry, no advice
Win him over I would suggest trying to figure out what makes this kid 'tick' and try to win him over somehow! What about a reward system that is implemented every half hour or so. Choose one behavior you want to target and work on that even if there are a lot of behaviors. If he earns so many 'stars' by recess, he will get....... For instance if he does not yell out, in half an hour, he will earn one star. If he has earned 4 by recess, he could carry these over to lunch and try to earn 20 by the end of the day. Sounds like he needs very frequent, immediate rewards even if it is only a star on a chart or a booklet. Good luck!
Thanks for the sympathy and tips! This morning I moved my won't-work kid to a solo spot and actually stood over him while he did. I hope to break away from that, but I don't think he's ever been expected to do work before. I'm also considering taking the advice of my team lead, who suggested that with as much work as he has piled up would be to just excuse all of it to this point and give him a fresh start. She thinks he may be under all the pressure of what he is behind in.
I think rewards might be effective for number 3 as someone stated earlier. He seems to want to play and socialize. Maybe give him time for a fun game or activity if he completes his work alone at his desk, or time to work with his friends on a group activity.
I'm surprised with #1 & 2. I don't know about your state, but in mine, the parent can be jailed for not having their kid in school (Kindergarten & up) without an excused absence. As for #3, I had a similar kid like that last year. She took FOREVER to finish her writing assignment. She was ALWAYS the last one sitting at the table. However, when the kids finished that assignment, they were allowed to go to centers, so that was an incentive to get her to finish. By the end of the year, she was still the last one, but she did get it done a teensy bit quicker And I don't let them get up until it's all done, even if they miss the entire center time.
#1 is getting much better. #2 hasn't come in all week. I called home and kind of got the run-around about one thing and the other--I referred it to the office. Yet Mom and Dad still want to know how she can learn (bring her to school or find a homeschooling program! Good grief!) #3. I'm giving rewards. Today we went through his massive pile of papers (am I really giving out so many papers?!) and tossed the nonessential assignments to give him a fresh start.
I am sure someone in the office is tracking absences, but I'd suggest you do as well. Research your state's truancy laws and approach your P about how to handle this situation. If the family has been allowed to do this in the past I am not sure how much change they will make on their own.
