Montague

Ever since the beginning of the school year, we have had one student who continues to shout out, is super loud, never on task, and seems to be doing things to get attention. He often misses recess (since the principal put a stop to students missing recess-which I completely agree with!!, he has had to stand against the fence). This just seems absurd to me. All of my experience is with the younger kids (I worked at a preschool for 5 years and volunteered since age of 13) so I know just how important it is to have that time to run and get some of that energy out (for the older ones too!!). I have noticed that this student's day in kindergarten is spent primarily away from the class because he is such a distraction to the rest of the class. It is really sad to see this happen day after day. I wish that I had an answer or sometimes wish it was my class so that I could be the one to try different things that may help him (such as assigning him a job in the class) instead I feel like I have to sit back and watch it happen which frustrates me. I do not mean that my teacher cannot handle him, I feel like she has been very patient with him but he needs more. He often has to miss his specials due to him not behaving in class. I also noticed another staff member publicly discipline this student in front of the entire class (30 minutes after the fact) which seemed quite degrading to say the least.

To be honest, I am not sure what this is a case of but I have ideas. I think it could be a case of simply needing more attention, maybe there is a huge lack of attention at home and the only way he seems to get it is through negative ways. Another thing that I have pondered (I am no expert, in fact I have no idea so this is why I wouldn't dare say this to anyone else) the possibilities of this student having something in which he really cannot control. Aside from not knowing what the case is in terms of the students, I do know that in terms of the teachers, this is a case of not knowing what to do with a student when it seems like nothing you do will change how he/she behaves in class. I think that this is very important because as a new teacher, I need to be aware of how to handle situations like these that are bound to happen. I know that sitting them to the side is cheating them of a quality education and is also hurting myself as I would not be doing my job to allow this to happen in my own class. Therefore, it is important when you have a student like this to think seriously about ways in which you can help that student even if it means breaking out of your comfort zone in terms of behavior management.