unmotivated student

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Fourth Grade Teachers Chatboard

unmotivated student

by Kara

Jan 29, 2012

I teach fourth grade. I have a male student who is totally unmotivated to do much of anything during class except sit there (he minimally disrupts the class). I have tried rewards, which have been somewhat helpful. Negatives...stay after school, in at recess (which he needs)have not helped either. He does nothing (and does disrupt the group)in small groups with a special education teacher helping. We have tried one/one with a teaching assistant - do this work, then we will play a game; works for 1 day, not the next). We have modified his work. State testing in Grade 3 - failed both math and ELA. Writes down any answer, circles multiple choice answers without reading them (he CAN read). Playing games/computers does not seem to interest him. I know he can learn...with practice the past few months with me after school, he knows his multiplication facts very well and I have seen a small spark of his feeling proud of himself. He's been unmotivated, according to his other teachers, for years...See More

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dan4thgr It isn't all that rare. If you know of anything he likes maybe you can find a mentor in that field, even for a brief time, to see if that helps him see the light

Jan 29, 2012

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Sara On 1/29/12, Kara wrote:

Is he clinically depressed? We can't really woo depressed children out of their depression. What does the guidance counselor say as to how real his depression is.

Even if not, what does this child have to look forward to? Small wonder that he's disconnected from school. And kudos to you and your aide that ...See MoreOn 1/29/12, Kara wrote:

Is he clinically depressed? We can't really woo depressed children out of their depression. What does the guidance counselor say as to how real his depression is.

Even if not, what does this child have to look forward to? Small wonder that he's disconnected from school. And kudos to you and your aide that you try so hard with him - we need more teachers like you!

If the negatives don't produce anything positive, why do them? How did you manage to get him to learn his times tables? However did he learn to read?

Whatever you did to get him to learn his times tables, can that be done with other things whatever those things might be? Does he object to coming after school?

to me it sounds like you know this child better than anyone else and it was you who got him to learn his times tables. Break it down - what is the next most important thing that he could learn? One step at a time maybe - he won't do worksheets so what could he do that would be another positive step? Will he dictate a story to someone who'd type it for him? Would he read a short story or a book or listen to a short story on tape with you after school?

A child this young who's this shut down however strikes me as a child who is clinically depressed or wants to be given the tremendous losses in his life. Good luck and good wishes - we really do need more teachers like you. > > modified his work. State testing in Grade 3 - failed both > math and ELA. Writes down any answer, circles multiple > choice answers without reading them (he CAN read). Playing > games/computers does not seem to interest him. I know he can > learn...with practice the past few months with me after > school, he knows his multiplication facts very well and I > have seen a small spark of his feeling proud of himself. > He's been unmotivated, according to his other teachers, for > years in school. This child has had a tough upbringing, but > it is frustrating for all who work with him. He is on an > IEP, and has very little home support (lives with a > relative, his mom and dad are not in his life). Guidance > personnel have begun supporting him (depression?). Do you > have ideas for what might motivate this child? Something > that has actually worked? I see this child as an "at risk" > student for dropping out of school later on, and it is rare > when you see it at the fourth grade level. We'd like to > help him all we can. He is a sweet kid.

Feb 6, 2012

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Leah Kara, You have been given some excellent advice. I like the idea of an adult mentor. Perhaps a volunteer could not only commit to meeting with him once a week until school starts but next year, as well. He is a very needy child.

If not, get the counselor involved and follow the advice that the second poster gave. You are a very caring tea...See More

Mar 20, 2012

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