Date: December 24th, 2013
I spent the weekend trying to resurrect an inviting classroom from a carnage of mismatched plastic furniture. Every chair and desk wore battle scars or patches of duct tape. The closet overflowed with garbage. I’d been hired just three days before school started so, with almost no preparation time, I was grateful I’d be teaching an old favorite for my first class, “Catcher in the Rye.” Officially my title was teacher of the Emotionally and Behaviorally Disturbed; unofficially, it was 9th grade English.
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Date: December 19th, 2013
Watch this video [1:39] to see how to work with parents of difficult children.
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Date: December 12th, 2013
Watch this video [0:46] for a funny little story about what can happen to a kid, or anybody, who has an accommodation but doesn’t know how to use it!
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Date: December 5th, 2013
Watch this video [0:39] to learn the basic, social-skill components of asking a question.
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Date: November 23rd, 2013
“Spirit Week” was in full swing at Sheldon High. Every year the student council organized a week of activities to promote school spirit, culminating in a football game against our rivals, the Derby Raiders. It was “School Colors Day” and the kids were in high gear. I enjoyed participating and encouraged my students to do the same, but I did it with caution. It’s funny, I know how much they enjoy these social activities, but I’m also keenly aware of the potential for problems when easily escalated, impulsive kids are put into exciting unstructured situations. I couldn’t prevent them from attending, but I could provide a refuge if tensions arose and coping skills were depleted. One student loved these events more than anyone—Luke.
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Date: November 21st, 2013
Watch this video [1:17] to learn how I teach an unorganized kid to get organized.
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Date: November 14th, 2013
Watch this video [1:12] to learn how I respond to behaviors carried out behind my back.
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Date: November 7th, 2013
Watch this video [1:01] to learn what questions I ask myself when I am deciding which behavior to target.
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Date: October 29th, 2013
I’d just finished taking attendance in my high school language arts class for pregnant teens with special needs.
Everyone was settled in their orange plastic seats, eyes front, and I was about to start our first activity when Tiffany walked in late with a pass.
I took it, silently, placed it on my desk, and continued my instruction to the class. That was Monday.
On Tuesday, Ramona was late. Unlike Tiffany the day before, she did not have a pass. Again, I was in the middle of instruction.
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Date: October 24th, 2013
Watch this video [1:08] to see why I think teaching social skills in your classroom is VITAL for academic success.
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