Attention? Avoidance? Control?
Date: November 5th, 2025
We need to teach kids the skills they lack in order to get their needs met. Help them build a ‘strategy toolbox.’
Ask Polly Bath: Behaviors Behind My Back!
Date: August 18th, 2024
Polly answers the question: “When I am writing on the board someone will whistle but then I turn around and everyone acts innocent. This drives me crazy! How can I deal with this kind of behavior?”
Ask Polly Bath: Kids Using Inappropriate Humor to get Attention?
Date: July 20th, 2024
Polly answers the question: “Any time my lessons involve vocabulary such as ‘the wind breaks’ or words that rhyme with something crude, my 7th graders start snickering and saying inappropriate things like ‘she said break wind!’ or ‘she said fart!’ This drives me nuts. Any ideas?”
Ask Polly Bath: HEY! My Hand Is Up!
Date: April 21st, 2024
Polly answers the question: “The other day when I was working with one of my students another kid screamed out ‘I need help over here! My hand has been up!’ He didn’t seem to appreciate that I have other students. This is an attitude I’ve been getting a lot lately. How do I handle this?”
Deliberately Annoying Behavior?
Date: October 25th, 2023
Attention Seeking Behavior?
Date: August 2nd, 2023
When the function of a child’s behavior is to get attention, I give it to them without having to earn it.
Disruptive Behavior?
Date: March 1st, 2023
If a kid is so disruptive that you have to remove them from the classroom, be careful it doesn’t backfire. How?
Ask Polly: Worsening Behaviors Despite My Efforts
Date: February 12th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “I kept a kid in for recess so we could talk about his behavior in my class. But then his behavior got even worse. I think he likes staying with me during recess! How do I undo this?”
Are Little Kids Being Disrespectful?
Date: December 28th, 2022
When little kids misbehave, we automatically think they are being disrespectful. But are they?
Ask Polly: Shocking Speech
Date: October 23rd, 2022
Polly answers the question: “OMG! I have a 1st grade student who says things that are so not OK! Things I’m sure he’s seen on TV or in video games, fly out of his mouth, and it’s shocking! How do I deal with him?”
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