Another Parent/Teacher Conference, Please
6 CommentsYesterday The Elder received his first Yellow Card. It was also the second time he was sent to the CDC classroom to “cool off.” The first time it happened, I discussed it with The Teacher and we came to an agreement that we (me and The K Teacher and The CDC Teacher) need to make sure that The Elder doesn’t see the CDC classroom as a “reward.” The tricky part is that we don’t want him to see it as a “bad” thing or “timeout.” It is in his IEP for a reason, and not a bad reason.
The first time he was sent there he “worked” on the computer and read the Curious George book. i am afraid that he is assciating a meltdown with exiting to read books and play on the computer. We know what that means: he must tantrum to the point of throwing things to get what he wants. I sent an email to The K Teacher today hoping to meet with her.
Subj: RE: [The Elder]’s day
Thank u for the update. It really helps me to know what happens. I know I can’t ask u to do that everytime but if as much as possible. It helps me plan what to focus on when I pick him up. I talked to [The Teacher] ab somethings and strategies for us to work on, me you and [The CDC Teacher]. Mainly we don’t want him thinking that cdc is a reward. Else he will act the way he did until he is sent there which just reinforces it. Perhaps we should talk in person. Could we schedule another conference? Since now we are seeing issues? Thx.
Jennifer
Mobil-e-Mail
—–Original Message—–
Subj: [The Elder]’s day
Date: Mon Sep 15, 2008 9:59 am
Jennifer,
[The Elder] did fine this morning early (even when he had to correct his
journal). Shortly after that, we did workbooks as a large group. He
was fine until the last page. He decided that he wasn’t going to make
a lower case a. He had proven that he could earlier in the
workbook . He scribbled all over the page, threw his marker, and then
resorted to throwing shoes and socks at me. I helped him with the
first few and then wanted him to try the rest on his own. This is
when he got very violent (throwing, refusing, etc.) He went to his
CDC room to cool off and work on reasoning skills for anger.
Hopefully, this is over for today. He is working on his morning work
right now at his seat.
Sincerely,
[signed]
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Are there any proactive things in place? Sensory breaks, something like that? Maybe if they can catch him before he gets to that point and meet his needs, he won’t get to that point.
In preschool, if my son was about to crumple up or mess up a paper, they gave him the choice to follow the directions or not to do the paper. Usually after a couple of minutes sitting there doing nothing, he would decide to follow directions. I don’t know if the school would be willing to do that.
I actually thought that I would suggest a scheduled CDC time. maybe 30 minutes during the day or an hour every other day. He gets 5 hours a week according to his IEP. That way he gets a break but it is not correlated to any type of behaviors.
It makes me wonder if they are working him too long and he needs a break, maybe he is bored with the materials, maybe he doesn’t like working in the way that they seem to work.. and really.. can you blame him? What is he cooling down from? What are they doing that can possibly be the trigger to his anger in the class? Will they let you observe?
(I recieved my bling!!!) Thank you soooo much!
Miss Nelson
http://www.meaningfuloutcomes.blogspot.com
(for some reason I can’t post my website in the comments)
The website thing baffles me? I wonder if it is blogger?
And they are reinforcing his behavior.. he may be using it as an escape to escape the work and be able to leave the demand of whatever the task is. Maybe they can allow him to have breaks before he gets to that point so that he can enjoy the work more and still get a chance to take a break when he requests one.
This is kinda like I was telling trish (sorry I replied to hers first before I read yours) about scheduled breaks.
I think they would let me observe but I fear his behavior would be worse if so. Or he would behave. I’m not sure. I truly believe the teacher is doing the best she can with 20 kids in the room and little experience. He really needs an aide. It’s not like other schools and preschools don’t have more than one teacher. He would never know the aide was specifically for him.