Totally unmotivated student

[laurakjacobs]

I have a 6th grade student who is completely unmotivated. I work with her in a resource setting (for support services due to a mild/moderate hearing loss) for half an hour, three times a week.

I know that her home life is not stellar, and sometimes that impacts her mood. But even when she says that she wants to do well, that she wants to be the first person in her family to go to college, she says she has no idea how to do any of that. When I tell her that she needs to stay in school (she is absent far too often) and stay in class when she is at school (she is always "sick" and asking to go to the nurse...definitely an avoidance strategy), she scoffs and says that won't make a difference.

Most of the time when I see her, she flat out refuses to do any work, crossing her arms on the table and putting her head down. If she does decide to at least follow along with what I'm trying to go over, she always shrugs an "I don't know" when asked a question.

Reports from her classroom teachers say that she sleeps in class often and shows no motivation or interest in anything.

She does, however, have friends, and seems social during lunchtime.

I'm nearly at my wit's end here, trying to think of ways to engage her while reinforcing the information she needs to know (and is missing because she's sleeping in class).

Thanks for any suggestions! :)

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

record the low grade she earns. Sometimes, kids have to learn to be held accountable for their actions and if her actions land her back in grade 6 next year, so be it.

[laurakjacobs]

I totally agree with your suggestion, but the thing is she has already been retained. Some days she says she doesn't want to be held back again, and other days she says she doesn't care. It's frustrating, but I also just wish there was some way I could help her to do better in school. I know not every kid is going to be an A student, but I see potential there for her not to be a D student, either.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

how, if she has done nothing, is she only a D student?

But despite what everybody loves to say because it feels good, you can't save every student. It's like making every person a Christian, some just don't want to, no matter how much you are trying to help.

Meanwhile, as you waste time on her, 25 other kids who are trying to learn are told to wait while you try to catch her up.

Cut your losses. Save the other 24, the 1 will eventually catch up, or she won't. Punishing the majority for the 1 is far worse than saying, let the 1 fail.

[Unregistered]

how, if she has done nothing, is she only a D student?

But despite what everybody loves to say because it feels good, you can't save every student. It's like making every person a Christian, some just don't want to, no matter how much you are trying to help.

Meanwhile, as you waste time on her, 25 other kids who are trying to learn are told to wait while you try to catch her up.

Cut your losses. Save the other 24, the 1 will eventually catch up, or she won't. Punishing the majority for the 1 is far worse than saying, let the 1 fail.



Choc, you're absolutely right. When I first started teaching I was one of those sappy "Every child can succeed" teachers. Now I save my compassion for the kids who have difficulty learning but keep working because they want to succeed.

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I understand what you're saying, I want to be careful and add that I give EVERY kid the opportunity. But I can't do it for them.

a herd is only as fast as it's slowest member. the herd collectively speeds up as lions take out the slowest members.

that's just nature, but for some reason, we think it's better to slow the other 24 kids in our classroom herd in order to make sure all of them get eaten alive on the national and international job market than to let the 1 fail by himself.

The world needs manual labor people

If a kid is willing, I will take the time out and help. If a kid is unwilling, I'm going to take the time out and help ..... one of the other 24 who need it.

If I had unlimited time, I could help everyone. I don't have unlimited time

[jmikulski]

While I agree with much of what Choc says in theory, it is not so cut-and-dry for a middle school student. A little compassion goes a long way with kids like that, especially if there's an unstable home life lurking in the background.

It's an old cliche, but I try to follow the mantra that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Kids work harder and do more for teachers that they like and that they feel like them.

[Unregistered]

Hi there, I just happened on this site by chance and I saw you note. One thing that struck me is that this student wants to succeed but states she doesn't know how. Those are very important words.
It is funny that we often think that because they are unmotivated it must mean they are lazy or headed for a job as opposed to a career.
I live in a town of unmotivated kids - but they come to my class and LEARN how to become motivated.
Here's the key - A friend of mind wrote a book that I read. We became friends after reading his book. I can't tell you how much I was moved...so I got his second book, had him visit our school - which is a real stretch since we live in a remote community in Northern Ontario...and now we are doing Mental Karate. His name is Mawi Asgedom - author of Of Beetles and Angels and The Code - Five Secrets of Teen Success. If you check out his website www.mentalkarate.com you will learn how you can teach your kids to become successful. I would caution you that the second belt is where the "buy-in" takes place so don't give up too soon. Email Mawi if you have questions because he is all about creating success in those we least suspect.
I have seen the power of his word both on the page and orally - how it transforms kids and they find within themselves the ability to believe in themselves, start the process, move towards a goal and work really hard. If you have any questions, I would gladly help you. I have to say his is one of the best books I have ever read - and I'm not trying to sell it - it sells itself...but try it and you too will find your student finding the power within themselves to create lasting change...
Sam

[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

I agree that some kids don't know how, but in a class of 25-30 kids, where's the time? And how can you justify slowing the other 29 kids for the 1?

As a parent, how can you justify slowing MY kid down because she had the unfortunate luck of being put in a class with YOUR unmotivated kid.

The advanced kids are grouped together, the average kids are the ones that are grouped with slower kids and what happens is you slow down all the class.

No kid will fail if they put forth the effort in my class. I don't care if they fail everytest, there are numerous ways set up for a struggling kid to pass with a C in my class. Laziness is the only way to fail my class.

[StuTeacher23]

I think every teacher needs to help to an extent and then quit while they're behind. You already did this, so it's just time to move on. Some will want to learn and others won't. The ones that don't will soon (hopefully) realize what it will lead them to...not graduating, no college, no job, ....
You might try one last thing, especially to help your whole class...
Bloom's Taxonomy.

[Unregistered]

Are you guys all teachers? I just happen to google and got this. It's appalling what I'm hearing "cut your losses", "can't leave the whole herd behing because of one", etc. What if that one kid is your child. Oh, I know, your child would never act like that because your child acts better at home. I'm a middle school teacher and I can tell you that kids may act totally different at school than they do at home (be warned). Anyway, these children will work because they like YOU, not because they like Math, Science, or whatever the subject is. You don't get them to like you by giving tangible gifts (treats). You like them by listening to them - their stories, and show empathy, going the extra mile - calling home when they miss school, giving a little of yourself - telling your story, etc.

Please teachers.

[Unregistered]

Hey, don't lump us all into one category. If you read the posts, it's Chocolate. Can you believe that he is teaching our youth of today?

[Liane]

I have a 6th grade student who is completely unmotivated. I work with her in a resource setting (for support services due to a mild/moderate hearing loss) for half an hour, three times a week.

I know that her home life is not stellar, and sometimes that impacts her mood. But even when she says that she wants to do well, that she wants to be the first person in her family to go to college, she says she has no idea how to do any of that. When I tell her that she needs to stay in school (she is absent far too often) and stay in class when she is at school (she is always "sick" and asking to go to the nurse...definitely an avoidance strategy), she scoffs and says that won't make a difference.

Most of the time when I see her, she flat out refuses to do any work, crossing her arms on the table and putting her head down. If she does decide to at least follow along with what I'm trying to go over, she always shrugs an "I don't know" when asked a question.

Reports from her classroom teachers say that she sleeps in class often and shows no motivation or interest in anything.

She does, however, have friends, and seems social during lunchtime.

I'm nearly at my wit's end here, trying to think of ways to engage her while reinforcing the information she needs to know (and is missing because she's sleeping in class).

Thanks for any suggestions! :)

Okay...I'm going to ignore the last few comments (because people on this forum tend to move away from the real subject at hand in order to start yet another discussion about our most active member here), and get back to the original question: what to do with this unmotivated student.

One key thing you mentioned, Laura, is that she's social at lunchtime - and has friends.

Do you ever have your students doing group work? Very often, other students have more power over unmotivated peers than you as the teacher. The teacher is a symbol - the adult in charge - and if her home life is full of adults that are less-than-stellar role models, it's not surprising that she rebels against you as well.

I like to include small, 3-4 student group activities within my lesson. I may have students reading something together, or coming up with a list, or anything else that takes between 3 and 10 minutes.

If you haven't actually done any group work, you'll need to go through a series of steps to "train" your students - how to move their desks, how to behave in groups, how to pay attention to you when you require it, how to get back into rows...and so on. You know where your students are, so you'll know where you need to begin.

Let me know how that works when you try it out.

Liane
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[Chocolate_New_Orleans]

group work :rolleyes:

[Unregistered]

She is the only student I work with at that school. I travel to many different schools throught the day (up to 6 on my busiest days) and only see the kids identified as having a hearing impairment.

I see her in a pull-out scenario, where it's just one-on-one. From what I have learned from talking with the lady who had my job in the past (she retired at the end of last year; this is my first year) and other adults familiar with this student, this is not uncommon or unexpected. She just doesn't care about school 99% of the time, and it's obvious Mom doesn't either - and the same was true for her 5 older siblings that came through the system.

I have tried and tried the "honey" instead of the "vinegar." It's very tough to keep that up when she throws her paper and pencil across the table because I'm trying to guide her through her work correctly instead of always letting her stumble through.

I have not even been able to work with her on topics related to her classes because most of our time is spent just practicing things like (very) basic reading/grammar skills and addition.

I know you cannot "save" every student, but that doesn't mean you can't try. There's no way I would give up on her after 12 weeks just because she doesn't seem to like working with me.


Okay...I'm going to ignore the last few comments (because people on this forum tend to move away from the real subject at hand in order to start yet another discussion about our most active member here), and get back to the original question: what to do with this unmotivated student.

One key thing you mentioned, Laura, is that she's social at lunchtime - and has friends.

Do you ever have your students doing group work? Very often, other students have more power over unmotivated peers than you as the teacher. The teacher is a symbol - the adult in charge - and if her home life is full of adults that are less-than-stellar role models, it's not surprising that she rebels against you as well.

I like to include small, 3-4 student group activities within my lesson. I may have students reading something together, or coming up with a list, or anything else that takes between 3 and 10 minutes.

If you haven't actually done any group work, you'll need to go through a series of steps to "train" your students - how to move their desks, how to behave in groups, how to pay attention to you when you require it, how to get back into rows...and so on. You know where your students are, so you'll know where you need to begin.

Let me know how that works when you try it out.

Liane
__________________
Ever thought of starting your own business?
Top 5 Reasons Why Teachers Should Start Their Own Online Business (http://ezinearticles.com/?Top-Five-Reasons-Why-Teachers-Should-Start-Their-Own-Online-Business&id=1469298)

[laurakjacobs]

Oops, I forgot to login. That was me!

She is the only student I work with at that school. I travel to many different schools throught the day (up to 6 on my busiest days) and only see the kids identified as having a hearing impairment.

I see her in a pull-out scenario, where it's just one-on-one. From what I have learned from talking with the lady who had my job in the past (she retired at the end of last year; this is my first year) and other adults familiar with this student, this is not uncommon or unexpected. She just doesn't care about school 99% of the time, and it's obvious Mom doesn't either - and the same was true for her 5 older siblings that came through the system.

I have tried and tried the "honey" instead of the "vinegar." It's very tough to keep that up when she throws her paper and pencil across the table because I'm trying to guide her through her work correctly instead of always letting her stumble through.

I have not even been able to work with her on topics related to her classes because most of our time is spent just practicing things like (very) basic reading/grammar skills and addition.

I know you cannot "save" every student, but that doesn't mean you can't try. There's no way I would give up on her after 12 weeks just because she doesn't seem to like working with me.

[Unregistered]

Do you have a counselor at your school? Maybe she is being abused. Just something to think about that might explain the behavior.

[laurakjacobs]

Do you have a counselor at your school? Maybe she is being abused. Just something to think about that might explain the behavior.

Yes, we do, and I spoke with her on many occasions. I also spoke with the school nurse. They both have a more developed relationship with the student, as well as her older siblings & mother. I do not think that that was the issue, though it is definitely something we all keep in mind, you are right.

Thankfully, though, I have been working with other special educators at the school, and we have revised her IEP & class schedule to include a structured, organized resource class with her peers. This class will help teach self-advocacy skills as well as provide content reinforcement in an environment that will (hopefully) make her feel less ostracized (as I think was part of the problem when she was getting pulled out of class to work with me). She is also going to be taking an alternative assessment from our standardized tests to help her pass and prove her profficiency in math in a way that she is unable to do on multiple choice tests.

The student herself seems to have a positive outlook for these steps, and I think it will improve after she sees more and more success in the coming weeks.

Just goes to show that prayers are answered. :)

[Unregistered]

Not knowing what is really going on with her at home and dealing with that type of situation... that's is best left to the couselors. Perhaps what needs to be done is a step back... she needs help with her school work, yes, but it is not happening. I was reading below and someone said, students work for teachers they like. Having her like you, but also trust you as an adult, could be the key. Being nice is good, but being respectful is better along with being "real" and expect the same in return. Find out what she wants. I sometimes think that kids push your buttons to see how you react.

You sound like you have a great heart. She may succeed or she may fail, but let that be up to her. Give her the choice and leave the door open. If she is feeling isolated, she may be pushing you away to isolate herself more. Finding out what she is passionate about may help in the roundabout way of helping her with the other work, then create the learning around what she likes.

I don't think it will be easy or quick, but one of the things I have learned is that not everyone responds the same way to every person and someone who teaches needs to be a chameleon to find out what is the "way" to deal with 25-30 students individually.

hope this helps... I have worked with a lot of people and have developed a chameleon personality. The tough ones usually like it straight. sue