If we are not consistent with a child whose behavior escalates, then they will continue to push that behavior to see what happens.

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Polly answers the question: “My 7th graders are getting a lot of bus ‘write ups.’ As their teacher, is there anything I can do to help with that?”

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Every adult needs to be on the same page when dealing with a chair thrower.

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Polly answers the question: “I have a student who cusses like you wouldn’t believe! I spend all day kicking him out and sending him down to the office only so he can return and say, “Well that was fun, the office sucks, too!” How should I respond and what’s the best consequence to stop this?”

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When little kids misbehave, we automatically think they are being disrespectful. But are they?

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Polly answers the question: “One of my 4th graders refuses to come to morning circle. I give him plenty of encouragement, but he just stays quietly in his seat and will not join in. My next move is to make him do the circle activities during his recess. Do you think that would get him to come to morning circle?”

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When kids start talking out, don’t ask things like, “What should you be doing right now?” Instead, say “Talking out right now is disruptive.”

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Polly answers the question: “Do you have any recommendations for avoiding and/or getting out of power struggles with high school kids? I’ll admit, sometimes they suck me in and it’s hard not to lose it!”

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Most of the time, when we need to remove a preschooler from a situation so they can take a breath, it should be really quick. Our littles shouldn’t be sitting in time out for twenty minutes.

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Polly answers the question: “Our middle school students are using the most appalling language in the hallways this year. What can we do to curb it?”

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