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Lesson Plans


Re: Difficult Student

From: Tom Johnsen (koordt)
Date: Thu Jan 06 2000 - 06:53:20 PST

I have a difficult student too. He is very well informed on the
vocabulary of his psychoactive drugs and whenever he doesn't take them,
blames his actions on the absence of the drugs in his system. Of course
I tell him that that has no bearing; he is always rsponsible for his
actions, drugs or no. He acts out and will not behave, goes "wild",
refuses to do any work, is roundly disliked by all the other kids in the
classroom, ad nauseam. I recently made him my kiln assistant, giving him
the responsibility of removing the clay work from the damp room and
putting it on a table for the other kids to pick up. His behavior
suddenly has become exemplary. I don't know how long it will last, but
IF his attitude toward others changes, and he keeps up his interest and
good behavior to the end of the semester, his grade will be on this
change. First things first: he is a special ed kid with a history of
terrible abuse at the hands of his parents. He is not liked by any other
child in the room and is really ostracized by them. His modus operandi
is to attack and ask questions later, and he is extremely bright and
manipulative. He likes the idea of the kiln and firing. So when it
comes time to fire, I will try to pull him out of class to be part of
the firing. I will load the kiln myself, but he can twist the knob and
push the button in. In the meantime, while the other kids are in the
classroom, he will be organizing and cleaning the kiln room. I have my
fingers crossed. So what if he doesn't make any art? If there is a
change in his attitude, an experience that he likes, if there is a thaw
in the relationship he has with other kids, that more than makes up for
what he can return for later on. He's currently in the 7th grade.

Just thought I'd share it and see if anyone has some cautionary to give
me on this.

Tom in Potter

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