Yesterday I didn’t really feel bad as I watched one of my first graders sob for 30 minutes because he lost his cupcake privileges. After behaving like a little turd all day long, I told him he wasn’t allowed to have one of the cupcakes a classmate brought for the class. And they were confetti cupcakes. The BEST cupcakes ever.
For the record, the student had been HORRENDOUS all day long – disrupting the class, calling out, getting out of his seat, talking to others, singing, dancing, etc. He was not cute, absolutely annoying, irritating, and flat out NAUGHTY. I tried every outlet I had: warnings, time out, behavior journal, pretend call to his parents, sit outside the classroom, talk with the senior helper… Nothing worked.
All he wants is attention. He doesn’t care if it is negative, he just wants it, he NEEDS it, and he drives me batty. I don’t know what to do, because he is terrified of his parents and never misbehaves at home.
I have tried constant praise and rewards for when he is on task, I have tried sending him to the office, I have tried everything. Nothing works. My throat hurts from yelling. My neck hurts from straining. And my head hurts from all of the chaos he brings into our classroom.
He told everyone, “She is SO mean” when I walked out of the classroom.
It is official. I am no longer Mrs. Softee. I now keep my “threatening promises” when my students misbehave.
It is official. I am no longer Mrs. Softee. I now keep my “threatening promises” when my students misbehave.
One month ago he said he wanted to marry me when he turned 20 and wanted to buy me a diamond necklace. Now I am a big fat meanie.
When it comes down to it – I just need to leave my stresses at work. Don’t ya think?
HAHA! I’m not laughing at you, but the situation is too cute. I think you did a great job teaching him about consequences. Those are the best cupcakes in the world, but behaving in class is very important. Even if he thinks you are a big meanie, you did him a favor in the long run. Good for you – you deserve a cupcake = )
I have been a reader for a while now. I am also a teacher, but I teach 8th grade math in Austin, Tx. Leaving stresses at work is the hardest part of our job! I know there have been many times where I’ve come home to my loving husband only to be in a crabby mood because my kids were so nasty to each other! You’ll find simple ways to make this easier. These are things that I’ve found helpful, maybe they’ll help you too!
Try taking a longer way home. Even an extra 5 minutes to decompress after a long day can work wonders… during this time I usually play my music a little louder, pick a cd that might put me in a better mood, etc…
Try exercising after work. Go for a walk/run in a park or even around the block. You’ll find that you’re stresses are almost gone after this.
As for your troublesome child, have you tried calling his parents? If he’s afraid of them and knows you and his parents are a team, he’ll be more apt to behave in class if he knows you’re going to call them and he’ll have consequences at home as well.
In the end, though, they’re just kids… it’s okay to be “mean”. Trust me, they’ll learn more from you in the end!
Hope that helps, sorry for my super long post… just thought I could offer some advice!!!
Oye. Sounds like a tough day!! I struggle with the leaving my work stresses at work…they just tend to follow me home half the time. It’s something I’m working on but it’s tough π
Hopefully the rest of the week will be smooth sailing for you!
Awwww….. I remember those days. It’ll be okay. I once had a first grader who was very needy of attention. He was super, super sweet but so disruptive. Every day was a battle, pretty much. Then there was his mother which is a whole other story. And despite the fact I knew the punishments were justified, it didn’t make it easier to watch tears stream down his sweet face as he missed recess/gym/insert fun activity here. Hang in there! You can do it!
He’ll love you next week. They have to learn sometime. π
What a poop! Maybe he’s acting out because he is so in love with you he just doesn’t know what to do! π Maybe flirt a little….bahahahaha!
Good for you! It sounds like cupcakes are one way to grab his attention. Hopefully he will learn his lesson and behave better in class.
Stay strong!
haha! i think he got what he deserved, nothing. and sounds to me like you did everything right you big meany π maybe he learned his lesson and will get a cupcake next time!
You did the right thing! I also had to take away cupcake privileges once.. My kindergarten student purposely smooshed another student’s cupcake and then taunted her about it. His punishment? I made him sit at the table with his hands folded & watch everyone else enjoy their cupcakes. He learned his lesson and was back to drawing pictures for my the next day.
ha! Just tumbled across your blog and I have sooooooooo been there. I teach 3rd grade and I totally understand. Sounds like the little stinker did not deserve a cupcake!