So my student had an interesting day the other day. She has been doing so well and we’ve been progressing in behavior and respect. But the other day, just had issues. She actually acted up while my supervisor came to observe me. The problem I have is that her behavior is so inconsistent. There is no telling when it will hit. She came in from recess and sat away from the carpet because her allergies were bothering her. Then, I gave her enough time and asked her to come back to the carpet. She circled everyone around the carpet and was very disrespectful but finally sat down. Then she sat facing away from me because she did not want to do what she was told. I asked her to turn back. Then, she complained about her shoe and went and sat at a table behind the carpet. I was pretty firm with her the whole time, but she was completely taking about from the lesson. After talking with my supervisor, she told me that it was evident that I still had control because she still did what she was told. However, now we are facing the disrespect issue like we’ve been facing. I am planning on talking with the counselor at school, but he has been busy everytime I’ve tried to talk to him, so that will happen.
I know that I’ve tried so many strategies. It’s not that she thinks that I don’t love her. She comes in every morning and gives me a hug, tells me she loves me. I ask her about her life. I’ve sat down and talked to her about what’s going on in her life. I give her positive reinforcement. I really want to talk to her grandma that she lives with, but she works during the day and it’s been hard to get in touch with her. It’s hard when it is this inconsistent, and now it’s like a couple weeks left in teaching and hard to know what to do.
It must be upsetting that she thinks that you don’t love her. I know that you truly do! Your student will be interesting to see after you graduate. I wonder how it will affect her behaviorally.
From observations between you and her in school, it is clear that you care about her and she really seems to love and care about you. It makes me wonder what her “ulterior” motive is behind the behavior. Why does she want to act out sometime and cause the scenes that she does? I would really like to be in her head for a few days and see what she is thinking!
It shows that you really care about your child and her behavior in your classroom. Many times we question what strategies to use in the classroom, but are unsure of the answers. I think that as long as you continue to work on the child’s behavior then you will be making a difference.