Ask Polly: No Problem-Solving Skills?
Date: May 21st, 2023
Polly answers the question: “My 6th graders are constantly coming to me with every little problem. Why can’t middle school students ever solve their own problems anymore?”
How We Respond Matters!
Date: May 17th, 2023
When kids are unraveling from an emotional standpoint, the best thing we can do is demonstrate by our response how we want them to respond in the future.
Ask Polly: Blaming and Excusing?
Date: May 6th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “My 8th graders do not take responsibility for anything, whether it’s homework, fighting, or running in the halls. Instead, they blame, make excuses, and complain. What can I do?”
Playing is Important!
Date: May 3rd, 2023
Manage Behaviors & Teach Skills
Date: April 26th, 2023
Behavior management plans help us to manage kids’ behaviors. But we don’t stop there. We also need to teach skills.
Ask Polly: Post-Pandemic Problems?
Date: April 15th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “Due to the pandemic and everything else my 8th graders are behind academically and emotionally. Do you have any tips on how to prepare these kids for high school? I really worry about that!”
Ask Polly: Violence in High Schools
Date: April 8th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “We have had an incredible up-tick in violence in our high school recently and we’re very worried! Why are kids so physically aggressive with each other these days?”
Ask Polly: Kids Can’t Handle Downtime
Date: April 2nd, 2023
Polly answers the question: “When I say: ‘OK guys, we’ve got 5 minutes to do what you want,’ my 7th graders say, ‘So what should we do?’ It seems like kids need a cruise director these days! How can I help them handle downtime?”
Don’t Just Accommodate Anxiety, Teach Skills!
Date: March 29th, 2023
Accommodations are important, but they’re not enough. They need to be accompanied with skills and techniques so a kid knows what to do when they’re feeling a certain way.
Ask Polly: Kids Can’t Handle Play
Date: March 5th, 2023
Polly answers the question: “Why can’t our kids play? Is it video games? They are so aggressive. We can’t play kick ball anymore in our school or four-square anymore or any of those types of games because they just can’t seem to handle it. Do you have any ideas?”
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