Yesterday, I didn't take my day off, instead I taught rock cycle to Chandler 4th graders. I taught the same school Friday but this was the second half of the 4th grade group. For the most part the group on Friday was amazing and wonderful and really listened and also the same for they group yesterday. However, there were more challenges present with this last group.
When it came time to split the groups up into the two hiking groups, I got the group with the student teacher. Who is a good friend and for the most part was a huge help in dealing with what I call "The Children of the wild". These students didn't want to have anything to do with me or their adult leaders or teacher for that matter. I tried all behavioral management statagies I knew of but nothing seemed to work. These students just ran all over the place and no matter what the adults did it wasn't working to get them from running all over the place. Needless to say I was frustrated and also it seemed that the student teacher told me that this is what she deals with everyday.
Talking with the Teacher later on I found out that I had the group were 3-4 had ADHD and a few trouble makers. She also said that she didn't mean for all of them to get put together and I replied it was a learning experience for me and that i need that. So really at the end of the day, and now, as I look back and reflect from the list of ADHD techniques we read. I realize I could of done somethings a little differently but for the most part, and from what I got from the teacher and student teacher, there was little to be done in the first place. Reassuring A
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Wow, kudos to you for taking those kids on, and for looking at the experience in such a positive light. Every time I have a really good group, I have to remind myself not to get over confident or lackadaisical, and to stay sharp because sometimes I am going to end up with some more problematic students. Although I don't necessarily envy you, I'm definitely glad for you that you got that experience.
ReplyDeleteIt is unnerving to feel that you don't have control over a group. I've been there and as you found out, you do survive the experience although it is frustrating and feels discouraging at the time. Like you said, you tried everything you knew to gain control and in reflecting back on it you realized there might have been some other things you could try. This is how we learn isn't it. Hopefully you won't get assigned such a rowdy bunch again, but now you have a few more skills up your sleeve if you do.
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