disruptive kid

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Home : 2004 : November : 21

disruptive kid
By Mary

I think it might be a humiliating experience to go to a younger classroom. I can see ahead here to parents of the kid complaining about the very same thing. The message here is, "If you're going to act like a (first grader,
third grader, fourth grader,whatever) then you can go sit with them." I know we have some parents that would be angry over this solution. How about taking away privileges instead? "When you're ready to act like a (second grader, fifth grader, whatever)then you may have recess or free time with the rest of the class. Since you're being disruptive and taking your recess/free time

during classtime, I will take your recess/free time away from you when everyone else has it. Maybe next week, you'll be ready to have recess at the same time as your classmates." Stress that only those who are joining you in whatever grade you teach are eligible for the rewards for that grade.

I would also talk to the parents about how harmful immaturity is to a child (and kids who need to be repeatedly removed are immature. They may have other problems as well, but ranking right up there is immaturity). We get them in middle school, and some are clear third graders. It's never pleasant for a parent to hear that their child is significantly immature, but immature kids are almost guaranteed to fail in middle school. They are simply unable to fulfill all their obligations or take any responsibility at all. They spend those years lonely (the other kids don't want to hang around with a baby) and having a terrible time with studies (getting homework done and turned in, bringing materials to class, ability to work independently). Smart kids end up being retained because they're just not mature enough to go on to the next grade. In secondary school, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If you don't do your work, you flunk. End of story. As a middle school teacher, I actually am begging you to address the immaturity issue in the elementary school, but no, I probably wouldn't send them to the younger class. I sure would be on mom and dad's back, though.