Comments on: How To Stop Wasting Time And Attention On Difficult Students http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/ simply effective tips and strategies Sun, 05 Feb 2012 21:08:12 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Bev http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-1134 Bev Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:21:33 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-1134 I have been using this strategy and it works. I teach Spanish and have two classes with 30 kids, so my classes can be chaotic. If I tried to talk to a student, he/she wouldn't hear me anyway. I just give detentions until the behavior changes. If I feel that someone needs me, then I help as much as possible. If I try to help and the student ignores me, then I won't return as often to help that student. For me, it's just easier to give detention. We have an 'invisible mentor' program here and I have had success with several students. I just use detention for students who don't care and don't try. I have been using this strategy and it works. I teach Spanish and have two classes with 30 kids, so my classes can be chaotic. If I tried to talk to a student, he/she wouldn’t hear me anyway. I just give detentions until the behavior changes. If I feel that someone needs me, then I help as much as possible. If I try to help and the student ignores me, then I won’t return as often to help that student. For me, it’s just easier to give detention.
We have an ‘invisible mentor’ program here and I have had success with several students. I just use detention for students who don’t care and don’t try.

]]> By: Michael Linsin http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 Michael Linsin Sat, 10 Dec 2011 01:20:30 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-1039 Hi Amber, The article refers to school-age children. Michael Hi Amber,

The article refers to school-age children.

Michael

]]> By: Amber http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 Amber Sat, 10 Dec 2011 00:54:46 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-1038 Is this for all ages or just little kids? Is this for all ages or just little kids?

]]> By: Michael Linsin http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-981 Michael Linsin Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:27:11 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-981 Hi Amy, Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experience with our readers. Excellent points. Michael Hi Amy,

Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and experience with our readers. Excellent points.

Michael

]]> By: Amy http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-980 Amy Fri, 18 Nov 2011 02:36:41 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-980 As a teacher with years of experience and a masters in special education, I have yet to see a child improve in behavior when given special attention for disruptive or non-compliant behavior. Instead, these students with emotion/social difficulties become more self-centered and willful. What I have seen work wonders, was ignoring behaviors (encouraging classmates to do the same), but interacting during times when these students were on track and being encouraging when these students were behaving positively. The turn around once these students realize that you are consistent, is amazing. However, if a student is bullying other students, especially physically, all this goes out the window. No other students emotional, academic or physical wellbeing should be sacrificed for the sake of another student or group of students. To me, the current behavioral plans, that force entire classes to evacuate during meltdowns, while the emotional disturbed student is given special privileges until he/she has calmed down -- is an outrage and an insult. I have heard of plans written that included the classroom being removed and the Principal coming to sit next to a SED student in a bean bag chair and read to him until the melt down is over. What a shame, that an education team would agree to a plan that would encourage, manipulation, narcissism, waste of time and resources, and inconsideration of others. For certain, this sort of plan does not prepare an SED student for the real world, where one day this same young man or woman will be facing jail time, regardless of his/her label. As a teacher with years of experience and a masters in special education, I have yet to see a child improve in behavior when given special attention for disruptive or non-compliant behavior. Instead, these students with emotion/social difficulties become more self-centered and willful. What I have seen work wonders, was ignoring behaviors (encouraging classmates to do the same), but interacting during times when these students were on track and being encouraging when these students were behaving positively. The turn around once these students realize that you are consistent, is amazing.
However, if a student is bullying other students, especially physically, all this goes out the window. No other students emotional, academic or physical wellbeing should be sacrificed for the sake of another student or group of students.
To me, the current behavioral plans, that force entire classes to evacuate during meltdowns, while the emotional disturbed student is given special privileges until he/she has calmed down — is an outrage and an insult. I have heard of plans written that included the classroom being removed and the Principal coming to sit next to a SED student in a bean bag chair and read to him until the melt down is over. What a shame, that an education team would agree to a plan that would encourage, manipulation, narcissism, waste of time and resources, and inconsideration of others. For certain, this sort of plan does not prepare an SED student for the real world, where one day this same young man or woman will be facing jail time, regardless of his/her label.

]]> By: Michael Linsin http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-943 Michael Linsin Mon, 17 Oct 2011 03:12:47 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-943 Hi Molly, I only recommend strategies, tips, and solutions that will inspire students to become better, happier, more confident, and more successful than ever before. The 130 plus articles on the website and the book Dream Class represent a loving classroom environment, one where <em>all</em> students are able thrive and flourish under the caring eye of a strong, capable teacher. :)Michael Hi Molly,

I only recommend strategies, tips, and solutions that will inspire students to become better, happier, more confident, and more successful than ever before. The 130 plus articles on the website and the book Dream Class represent a loving classroom environment, one where all students are able thrive and flourish under the caring eye of a strong, capable teacher.

:) Michael

]]> By: Molly http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/2009/10/10/how-to-stop-wasting-time-and-attention-on-difficult-students/comment-page-1/#comment-942 Molly Mon, 17 Oct 2011 01:53:39 +0000 http://www.smartclassroommanagement.com/?p=1467#comment-942 Hi Michael, I'm concerned about this article and was hoping that you were willing to listen to some criticism. I am a special education major in my last semester of school, in addition to this I have a son with some emotional disturbance. Now I agree that labeling a child leads to him feeling different than others and therefore, insecure, and may lead to other behaviors as a result, but I have a strong feeling that there are those occasions where a student may need some extra attention to help him adjust, transition, or just to accommodate some unique needs, such as social ineptitude. Some children may have constant conflicts with other children because of a chemical or personality disorder. This student might have a 504 plan or an IEP, so I would hope that you understand that this will entail some personal attention to help him through the day, often for kids like this it is daily. I am afraid you're giving advice to teachers who may not know this, and this could be detrimental for the students who may end up having the most traumatic school year because their teacher thought it a good idea to ignore his constant cries and complaints and horrible behaviors, or worse, suspend or expel him when he may have just needed a particular plan of action that will work for him (or her). This goes against much of what you believe in I think, but kids behavior problems are not addressed properly. many times a behavior problem is a way of communication. In this case this student will need to be heard, but first you have to tell him your willing to listen. And I'm not saying they shouldn't be disciplined, but I am saying that you must be able to recognize when a student needs a different kind of approach. Thank you, and Good luck ~Molly Harrell Hi Michael,

I’m concerned about this article and was hoping that you were willing to listen to some criticism. I am a special education major in my last semester of school, in addition to this I have a son with some emotional disturbance. Now I agree that labeling a child leads to him feeling different than others and therefore, insecure, and may lead to other behaviors as a result, but I have a strong feeling that there are those occasions where a student may need some extra attention to help him adjust, transition, or just to accommodate some unique needs, such as social ineptitude. Some children may have constant conflicts with other children because of a chemical or personality disorder. This student might have a 504 plan or an IEP, so I would hope that you understand that this will entail some personal attention to help him through the day, often for kids like this it is daily.
I am afraid you’re giving advice to teachers who may not know this, and this could be detrimental for the students who may end up having the most traumatic school year because their teacher thought it a good idea to ignore his constant cries and complaints and horrible behaviors, or worse, suspend or expel him when he may have just needed a particular plan of action that will work for him (or her). This goes against much of what you believe in I think, but kids behavior problems are not addressed properly. many times a behavior problem is a way of communication. In this case this student will need to be heard, but first you have to tell him your willing to listen. And I’m not saying they shouldn’t be disciplined, but I am saying that you must be able to recognize when a student needs a different kind of approach.
Thank you, and Good luck
~Molly Harrell

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