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#Post#: 7678--------------------------------------------------
Meetings of a Different Type
By: Jack Date: July 30, 2018, 4:38 am
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I just wanted to say that I've still been meeting with my
upcoming students and their parents. I just haven't been
writing about it, because there's really not a ton to say about
any of them that doesn't get repetitive.
I won't have a lot of boys who are seriously ADHD. I think the
accommodations we have in place well help those who are mild to
moderate a LOT - partially just by putting them in an
environment that's more comfortable for them and more accepting
of them.
I have yet to have a parent who says he doesn't use CP. A
couple of them use it very rarely, while some are more liberal
with it's application. All of them seem to have considered
their kid's needs and their family's needs while deciding which
approach works best for them. I have taken notes, and will try
to keep those approaches in mind while dealing with the kids.
On the other hand, everyone - at least all the parents - seem to
understand that I have to keep a balanced and progressing class
room for all this to work, and the kids understand that rules
will be enforced. What we decide those exact rules are hasn't
been settled yet, and I am willing to make slight accommodations
even for individuals where there's a strong reason.
Anyway, starting 6 August - one week from today - I will be
spending part of the day at school for various meetings and to
get my class room ready to roll. School will actually start on
the 15th.
#Post#: 7811--------------------------------------------------
Re: Meetings of a Different Type
By: Jack Date: August 4, 2018, 9:13 am
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There was something I wanted to mention about my students and
their parents, and this seemed as good a place as any.
Remember that BCA is a private school. While there are
scholarships and discounts, for someone to send their money
there requires at least time and energy, and probably money as
well. While it is a Christian school, and there are some people
who send their kids there for no other purpose, by and large, it
means that students who attend there have families who are
involved and interested in their education. That has certainly
come through as I've been meeting the parents.
While the parents have all been different, most of them have
pretty much agreed that they're trying to be strict with their
kids, while allowing for things that are ADHD instead of actual
misbehavior. A lot of the details vary from family to family,
but that's a common theme. Many of them pointed out to me areas
where their kids are weak, and areas where they're more or less
strict. They were good discussions, and, as I get to know the
kids, I'll try to share a bit more detail about them.
#Post#: 7812--------------------------------------------------
Re: Meetings of a Different Type
By: Zyngaru Date: August 4, 2018, 10:16 am
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In my opinion, this is probably the single most important thing
you did for the education of your upcoming students.
You are getting to know them. Yes this is only short meetings,
so there is still a lot to learn, but the initial meetings are
so important in my opinion. The boys are discovering you are
interested in them. The parents are discovering you are
interested in them. You are discovering the parents are
interested in their boys education and behavior. You are
discovering each boy's likes and dislikes. What he is strong in
and what he is weak in. This is a huge learning experience.
All sides are learning everyone cares.
I can only think this is going to help you have a successful
school term.
Have you found any of the boys that don't want to be in your
class? Or are having doubts about it? I ask because sometimes
a boy will do what his parents want, even though they don't want
to do it. I was like that as a boy. Sometimes it is difficult
to see if a boy really wants to be there or is pretending to
want to be there. I was good at pretending to keep my parents
happy.
It sounds from your reports that all the boys are looking
forward to your class.
#Post#: 7813--------------------------------------------------
Re: Meetings of a Different Type
By: Jack Date: August 4, 2018, 2:28 pm
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I'm not sure how much any of the boys want to be there. This is
a language arts class. We will be studying, not playing games
or anything. Especially with the younger kids, I don't know
that any of them even have a reason to prefer me to some other
teacher. With the older classes, they might have some friends
who know me, so maybe they've heard good things about my
classes. Maybe they heard bad things as well, but I really
didn't have a lot of problems last semester, and the kids did
enjoy almost all of what we read, so I think I'm on fairly safe
ground.
But yeah - this is a required class, and the kids aren't getting
much choice in the matter. I didn't see anyone who seemed
really upset about it, though.
#Post#: 7814--------------------------------------------------
Re: Meetings of a Different Type
By: Zyngaru Date: August 4, 2018, 2:39 pm
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[quote author=Jack link=topic=736.msg7813#msg7813
date=1533410923]
But yeah - this is a required class, and the kids aren't getting
much choice in the matter. I didn't see anyone who seemed
really upset about it, though.
[/quote]
Since this is a private school where the parents are paying for
their kids to take classes there, is this particular class
required as to they have to take it even if their parent or the
boy absolutely wanted to be in a different class. I understand
that language arts is required. But your language arts class,
is it actually required or can they chose another language arts
class?
This is what I meant by getting to know each other before hand.
Do other teachers bring their prospective students into their
homes to get to know them before school starts? Or do they wait
until school starts and learn their students during class time?
I just see you having meetings with parents and students outside
of school time, to be exceptional and special.
#Post#: 7816--------------------------------------------------
Re: Meetings of a Different Type
By: Jack Date: August 4, 2018, 3:02 pm
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[quote author=Zyngaru link=topic=736.msg7814#msg7814
date=1533411595]
But your language arts class, is it actually required or can
they chose another language arts class?
[/quote]
No, the schedules are assigned. If there was a really good
reason (like making choir or band), someone could request to
have their class changed, but they still wouldn't be allowed to
select where they were going.
Yes, me asking the parents into my home (though some of the
meetings were at the school) is unusual, but so are classes
designed specifically for ADHD students.
The parents did have some input into their students being put
into my class, but it was really only last semester, when we
were experimenting with looser discipline standards for my
classroom, since I was dealing with all 'discipline problem'
kids.
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