do you know how?

[Kitkat]

I was subbing in a grade one class and a little boy refused to do the story activity the rest were doing. I tried brainstorming, encouraging and cheering him on, as well as telling him he needed something on the paper if he wanted to stop for lunch. He absolutely refused-he "didn't want to". What could I have done assuming this child had no exceptionalities or IEP? You cannot force a child to pick up their pencil and write?

[feltsmart]

At that point, I look at the child and tell him he has two choices...do it now, or do it during...(you have to pick what will work for the situation...just make sure it will "hurt") recess, lunch, music...again, what ever will work for the child and your situation. This has worked very well for me...I may end up having to use part of "my" time but, I always have something to do and I just act like it's not a big deal for me. Usually, after a child has missed out on something a few times the child figures out that I mean what I say and that refusing to do work will not help! Wish someone would have spent the few minutes to get that across to my oldest son. Hope this helps!

[Unregistered]

I am a second grade teacher and I had a student that would constantly throw tantrums and just refuse to do work. Every child has something that affects them and unfortunately it's different for everyone. This particular child needed to always be included in group situations and therefore I would ask him to move his seat away from his table group and finish his work as the class moved on to another engaging activity. As soon as he felt he was missing out on something interesting, he worked faster and harder so that he could join as soon as possible. By the end of the year, this child was completing work without being asked. I also agree that telling children that they would have to finish during lunch or recess may be effective if this is time that a child values. It really depends on the child.