Re: that one kid in my class

Ben

Posted on 1/03/10

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"Raul" sounds like he has ADD or ADHD. Tell his parent to get
him evaluated THIS WEEK, no delays! There are excellent
medications for this problem.

My nephew has ADHD. We found out when he was in Kindergarten,
and it got worse. But as he gets older, we learn better ways
to cope. He's now 10 and we've learned how to avoid trouble:

1. If he can't sit still at lunch, let him bring a book to the
table or some crossword puzzles to do.

2. Tell his parents he needs a book or some activity to do
during "down time." It's during the time that he has nothing
to do that he gets into mischief.

3. Make the schoolwork more "activity based" with more group
projects, crayons, markers, etc. I taught kids with special
needs and I made the mistake of expecting them to just sit
through pages of work. It was no good. Spelling, math, social
studies can be made into games for kids.

4. Put the bulk of the written work/math problems earlier in
the day. The last two hours are not the time for math/writing
(except maybe creative writing or diaries). Kids to "seat
work" better in the early periods.

5. Ask the parent how he acts at home. How do THEY cope with
his hyperactivity?

On 12/09/09, mmkay wrote:
> i'm a first grade teacher and i need some help with a
> challenging student of mine. "raul" causes disruptions
> every day in class...he pokes people, talks during work
> time, shouts out and and plays during whole class lessons,
> runs in the halls and in the classroom. he enjoys clowning
> around and getting everyone's attention. he's a very sharp
> kid - he reads pretty well and has great ideas. however it
> is evident that he is missing out on learning because he is
> falling behind in math and in other subjects. when the kids
> line up for lunch, recess, or their specials classes, he
> usually pushes people or finds a way to hurt or bother
> someone. he always says sorry when confronted with an
> issue, but then he just does the same thing again, day
> after day.
>
> i've implemented a star chart so that he can monitor his
> behavior hourly. it worked for a while, but now his
> misbehaviors are becoming more frequent.
>
> i have given him a permanent spot in line, on the rug, and
> at our tables. he also has a place to sit for lunch (no one
> else has an assigned seat) so that he can sit and eat lunch
> without running around and causing mischief.
>
> i have rewarded him. i have had conversations with him. i
> have taken away recess/fun parties/etc so that he could
> write letters of apology and "reports" about his choices.
> he has had time-outs, refocuses, time in the office, and a
> suspension after all the disruptions.
>
> his parents are great and they back up everything i
> say...we are in the sst process now, and i have my admin's
> daily support. HOWEVER...
>
> i still don't know what to do with this kid.
>
> he gets so wound up that he can't focus on our learning. he
> gets to be so annoying that the other students find it
> tough to work with him in our cooperative learning groups
> and centers. there are days when i cannot teach the class
> because he is being loud, rude, defiant....he might be
> rolling on the floor or falling out of his chair.
>
> any advice about how i can help raul? he already has a
> reputation in the school. i'm finding it harder and harder
> everyday to not feel negatively toward him.

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