Post date: Jan 30, 2018 9:09:54 PM
Monday I filled in for guided reading in first grade. One of the students refused to do work, put her head down, and made loud outbursts of noises. I kept my calm, asked her if there’s anything I can help her with, and continued on with my work with the group.
Later on in the day the girl’s classroom teacher told me the girl admitted that she gave Mr. L a tough time in guided reading and that she was sorry. When the teacher asked her what was wrong the girl told her that she didn’t know why she was doing it.
Right before dismissal I saw the girl in the hallway, gave her a big hug, and asked her what was going on earlier. She told me she didn’t know but she would do better tomorrow.
Now I could’ve lost my cool, scolded the girl, punished her, but what would that have accomplished? She truly didn’t know what was going on with her emotions and actions. I allowed her space and time and she reflected on it by herself and apologized without prodding.
What if I reacted punitively? I’m glad that’s not where my mindset is; we could’ve had a drastically different reaction from her, a damaged relationship, and no learning take place-both behaviorally and academically.
Is this having low expectations for students? Did I allow her to get out of doing her work? Would punishing her have gotten her on task? AT BEST it would have produced compliance…and worst we could’ve gone into full crisis mode and had to call administration. You cannot force people to do things they do not want to. I showed compassion, understanding, and allowed a six year old to work through and later, reflect on, her actions and emotions.
ML 1/29/18
UPDATE (1/30/18): Tuesday…my friend had a great day in GR today! So we are not forming a bad behavior habit out of my understanding and compassion from yesterday.