Nov

24

So what’s David’s story and how can we help him?

Filed Under "At-risk" students, motivating students, underachieving students 

help

David, not his real name,  is not at all engaged in my math class.  He mostly sits and draws. David’s  actually quite a good artist. He also loves drama class.  When I sit and work with him on a one-on-one basis  he seems to be willing to accept help,  but nothing seems to stick.  I wonder what his story is. The OSR (Ontario School Record) isn’t telling me much.  David told me that he just had the worst day of  his life, but doesn’t want to talk about it.   I called home but Mom told me she wasn’t aware of any major problems and told me he’s always been  quiet and withdrawn, and  he’s always been weak in math. I find it interesting that David’s Mom isn’t aware of  David’s “worst day of his life”. That’s too bad. Kids certainly don’t tell their parents everything.

I’m really concerned about David, and not just his math mark- he got a zero on yesterday’s quiz.  I’m going to  talk to his guidance counselor and  recommend that David  be discussed at the next  Student Success Committee meeting. I know from experience that if we don’t help David with whatever his problem  is, it’s going to be very difficult for him to do well at school.  Students don’t just drop  their problems at the classroom door before entering the classroom.   The problems  follow them right to their desks and prevent them  from doing their best.

photo uploaded by pink sherbert

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Comments

2 Responses to “So what’s David’s story and how can we help him?”

  1. Rebecca on December 10th, 2009 11:47 am

    I think it is hard for us as teachers to see that some of our students view school as a secondary factor in their life instead of their focus. I am reading a book by Chap Clark called Healing Hurting children. It is giving me great insight to the demands that our children today are facing. Good luck.

  2. Elona Hartjes on December 10th, 2009 8:15 pm

    Rebecca,
    Thanks for sharing the resource. I’m going to see if I can get it.

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