Tricia

Posted on 12/01/10

More | Report Post

I currently have been having troubles with a boy in my 5th
grade classroom. He has been having troubles with reading
and comprehension for the last past 5 years of his life.
The school has provided him with special education teachers
to help him within school, and his mother pays for a tutor
outside of school for extra assistance. His previous
teachers, special education teachers, his mother and myself
have all concluded that the extra assistance is helping
him, but not enough. Recently, his mother took him to an
occupational therapist to get tested. The test results
stated that he has a severe tracking problem. This
concludes that when he reads, he has an extremely difficult
time comprehending anything that he is reading.

Along with this recent discovery, this boy has been acting
out behaviorally. His actions include inappropriate
drawings, inappropriate language, lying, and bullying. I am
beginning to think that due to his academic problems, he is
giving up. According to B.F. Skinners theory of self
efficacy, and self-regulation, people don’t try because
they know they can’t do it. When I apply this to my
student, he is giving up because he thinks that he cannot
do it. This boy is taking it to the next level and in
addition to giving up academically, he is giving up
behaviorally too. I think that due to his problems with his
schoolwork he is trying to find other ways to excel, but in
a negative way.

By punishing this boy for his actions, I am only decreasing
his self-efficacy even more. How can I help this boy
without punishing him for his inappropriate actions, but at
the same time letting him know that what he is doing
behaviorally is not acceptable?

I would greatly appreciate feedback that anyone has to
assist me with this situation.

Tricia

Posts on this thread, including this one