This week has been full of wins and losses. We've had some behavior issues that have been exacerbated by having lessons that were much more hands on/inquiry based. It's been difficult to determine how I should balance those when I know that these activities are able to really activate and engage thinking, but they are also pushing the boundaries for the social abilities of some of my students who struggle with sharing and group work. Additionally, using things like plastic tiles in a cup created so much additional noise that the conversational level grew beyond control and activities had to be stopped and re-started many times to keep things manageable. This sound issue also tends to be a trigger for a couple of my students who are prone to argue and yell.
Personal Wins Tuesday: After 4 students melting down during an afternoon Math class I had another teacher take the majority of my class to Specials class and I kept my four until each of them was able to sit silently for a minute or more in listening position. I talked to two of them about their grades and their need to participate in class if they are going to pass. (I currently have little-to-no work from either of them and have no actual evidence of learning or growth.)
Wednesday: After 3 days of intensive 1-on-1 work with one of my students who is both incredibly low acacemically and a huge behavior issue (very low tolerance of anything and will have major knock-a-desk-over, throw-books-on-the-floor, yell, scream, kick wall melt downs) I finally have some evidence of his academic level. He has been copying work I write down for him, sounding out books and words for me, participating when asked to work one-on-one, and today, after a melt-down he allowed me to write his verbal answers for him on a timed addition test. He did very well, getting 27 answers in 2 minutes (about average for my class)
Also after school an emotionally turbulant student who had had two melt downs during the day spontaneously gave me a hug...*melt*
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