https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo The one student who challenges us the most may be a gift in disguise. ~Lisa Medoff en-us 2018-09-03 23:46:40 UTC 2018-09-18 02:28:38 UTC hello@padlet.com nancy_j_johnson https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/277382744 2018-09-04 00:23:37 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/277382744 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/279178532   Over the years I've worked with several ADD and ADHD students. I have gotten better with communication between myself and the student. I do think it really helps to talk to them when I think things are not progressing. I like to set a timer and tell them to work really hard until the times goes off, then he/she may have 3 minutes of downtime. They may need the downtime to refocus or just regroup their thoughts. I am constantly saying to myself, he/she is doing the best that they can. Realize that and work with that. I also think it's ok to tell the student that I am frustrated because I can't seem to help them at that moment. I do ask her/him for suggestions on how to help. ]]> 2018-09-09 17:25:19 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/279178532 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/279864641 I really enjoyed reading this article and feel like I can relate to the author. This year I want to make it my priority not only to get to know my ADHD students better but all my students. So this year I decided I am going to have lunch with each student so I can get to know more about them and their life outside of school!]]> 2018-09-11 14:01:05 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/279864641 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/280340468 This article made me cry. My son was diagnosed with ADHD and I can relate to many of the things listed from this teacher. Kids can sense when they are not liked. I KNOW these kids are challenging and require more work but I plead with you as a mom and teacher to put on your game face and try showing that you care. Get to know them! Know their interests,  those interests might be their God given talent in life and how can I help them shine. Communication is key! I tell my son when I'm frustrated and he will tell me when he is. We work together to figure out a plan to solve the problem. Zoning out or off task behavior isn't out of disrespect or lack of caring. Many times they heard something that you said that resonated with them and they are thinking about that thing. 

Something new I'm trying with students: When they come up with a wrong answer instead of correcting them I'm going to try saying this:
 Interesting, that's not what I was thinking but let's double check to see if I'm wrong. I like that positive spin.



 


]]> 2018-09-12 13:41:49 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/280340468 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/281491297 I absolutely love this article. It is just all SO true!! There are definitely some students that test our patience and makes us feel like we are "failing" at our jobs. I agree that it is important to get to know each of your students. Find out their interests and build off of that. A student that feels listened to is going to be more willing to work hard for you. In my room I give students choices of where/how they want to work (sitting, standing, etc.). This gives them a choice in their learning environment. I have had conversations with students about what I can do to help them learn better. I now have students that will ask to stand because they feel like they can't sit still--I LOVE THAT! I like the idea of letting the students teach you something. This gives them the opportunity to "be in charge" and to also build that relationship with you.]]> 2018-09-14 19:10:20 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/281491297 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/282437153 I really enjoyed this article as a sped teacher. It hits home with so many of the kids that I have worked with. There are some great strategies in the article and obviously some apply more to kids that are a little older than my preschoolers, but there are still things that I can be doing at this young age. Something I'm really trying more in my classroom is focusing on accommodating to all the different needs throughout each part of our day. For example, at circle time some of the kids sit on a little colored circle, others need a bigger space bubble of a hula hoop, and others need to sit on a chair. It's finding what works for each of them. I also think one of the biggest things I can do for these ADHD students is remain positive and appreciate their good qualities. They have so many that we often don't see if we only focus on the negatives. Relationships are huge!!]]> 2018-09-17 16:19:09 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/282437153 https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/282665444 "They're so used to being rejected, pushed away, and made to feel bad about themselves, especially when it comes to school, that the number one strategy I have for helping them is that I really like them, and I see their strengths." 

This quote on the very first page stuck with me in the many days that have passed since reading this article. It is so easy, especially in today's society, to put the blame of failed attempts at trying to help a student be successful, on ADHD. I think as professionals, we have to work together to ensure we are coming into each day with the right mindset and with the idea that each of these students do in fact have some incredible strengths. It states on page 47, "Changing your thinking will change your attitude in a way that the student will usually pick up on."  Investing in learning student's likes and dislikes, what makes them thrive and what bottles them up, all play a significant role in getting our "challenging" students to finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. 

I think back to all of the failed attempts I've had at trying to assist students with their organization skills. I knew going into it they knew how to access where their assignments were, how to write them into the correct classes, and circle which assignments were homework. I also knew that it was going to be difficult to get them to initiate it on their own. I knew they didn't have the correct thought process of remembering this essential task before going home for the day....yet. There is so much power in the word yet. 

I've learned that it helps to teach the students how to take notes. Giving them tips and tricks allows them to modify in a way to make it work for themselves. One of my students was able to find a way to organize himself by drawing symbols of what he needed to accomplish. After he got used to using this system, he didn't have another missing assignment. There isn't a "one size fits all" fix and "your relationship won't change overnight," but I can guarantee that if you put in the effort, things will start looking up. 

Side note: I've had a lot of success using sand timers. The students are able to flip them over when they are ready to work. When the sand has moved through, they quietly get up and either stretch or just relax. When they are ready to return, they repeat the process. I love the sand timers because they aren't sending off a loud ring and disturbing other groups or students who are working.

]]> 2018-09-18 02:05:53 UTC https://padlet.com/nancy_j_johnson/ws2w3lun4seo/wish/282665444