***Please read the edit at the bottom***
So, I am loving L.O.V.I.N.G. my sweet little class. I am growing attached to some of the kids - we are bonding, I am learning about them and their families, and their abilities. I am learning about their strengths and weaknesses, and what I want to do for them.
I have fell in love!
There are a couple of children, in particular, that I have taken to.
One boy said some things that touched me yesterday.
Here is the story:
It is St. Patrick's Day. Everyone is wearing green. Little Dude looks at me and says, "Well, you know my brother is mostly leprechaun." Then, holding up his pointer finger and thumb close together, he says, "He only has about thismuch human blood left in him."
Ha!
Little Dude also likes to read to me. Yesterday we were reading Clifford: The Big Red Dog, and he told me that he was going to take the book home to his sister. She is autistic and LOVES big red dogs. Then, he said, "Me and My sister were twins. But she came early." Thinking that this is interesting, I said, "Wow! How old is she?" He answered, "11." (He is 8 and in 2nd grade) Musta been a difficult pregnancy. Poor mom.
Another boy that I have is diagnosed with ADHD- well, I am not so sure how this is going to work out. He doesn't like me. While I am not a fan of medicating children, I have a hard time deciding if this child needs medicine or a spanking. One day, I was asked to escort him to the library to pick out a new book. He told me to quit following him. Then, once we got in the library, he asked me what I was doing. I told him that I was going to help him find a new book. He looks at me and says, " Hey. The books I like are way over there. Why don't you go and see if you can find me one way over there." Now, he is not even beating around the bush. He tells me, "Why don't you go home?" and "Why are you still here?"
Our trouble began because he wanted me to draw him a smiley face on his reward system for RESPECTFULNESS. I told him we would talk to Host Teacher and see - and then he was told to wait 10 more minutes. So he says,"Fine. If you won't do it, I will draw it on myself."
Does ADHD cause meanness? Or just an inability to focus? Why is this kid able to focus on this attendance chart? Shouldn't he have forgotten it already?
I am not sure what I am going to do about his crankiness toward me. It has only been three days. :) It is gonna be an interesting seven weeks.
ETA~ I think my angry boy may also have something called oppositional defiant disorder. I have been researching this just because it is stressing me out. This is also translated as not liking to listen to adults. :)
We used to call ADD "adults didn't discipline". Of course I've learned much more about it now and it is a real, true diagnosis. It's also over-used, as is medication, IMHO. I also had an ODD kid once. . .and I remember his name to this day. Man, he was a difficult one (can't remember what we used to say ODD was -- ha!) but I think it's a made-up disorder. Except there is probably someone reading this who is serious about ODD and will leave a scalding retort. . .so. . .I'm posting this anonymously although you know who I am :)
ReplyDeleteYou know me -- I'm a champion of firmness and consistency. Obviously you will have to look more into this boy's history and family life to get a better understanding but here's something to think about...he's angry at the world. Who knows why? You don't have to do anything to make him angry b/c he already is. Find out his "currency" and try to use that as incentive to get him to do what he is supposed to do. Does he like to draw? Run? Be the line leader? Sit next to the teacher? Whatever it is, use that as his reward system. Of course he still needs to be disciplined for his actions, but if you can figure out what will make him less-angry then you will no longer be the enemy.
Sigh.
And remember, (I don't have the figures exactly correct b/c I stupidly forgot to note my reference) that we, as classroom teachers, spend 80% of our time on 20% of the kids. . .just think how the other 80% would benefit if we paid that much attention to them :)
And, because I believe in the "realness" of ADHD, make sure that he has the space to move about without disrupting other students. ADHD students sometimes do better if standing up (is there a podium he can work at?) or sprawled out on the floor. Sometimes they need more space. While I know this is not your classroom, see if you can "experiment" with this boy and present your findings to your Host teacher (ex. take him in the hallway to do his spelling test. . .will he do better laying on the ground?)
I LOVE reading about these experiences/adventures!!!! Next week I have that 19-yr-old "friend" of mine in from out of town. . .maybe lunch Monday?