Katie your student from hell, how old? Have you tried sitting down and talking to him causally? about anything what he likes to do at home, who his friends are, what he wants to be when he grows up. If you can try to eat lunch with him. Maybe ask him to be your helper.
I have several students from hell, my older ones I try to go out of my way to talk to them and let them know I see them as people. My #1 student from hell has high functioning Autism and is a great kid when we are in the middle of a project, but HATES change. when we start anything new he freaks out and "this is stupid, your stupid, art is dumb..." I still haven't figure out how to handle him I usually have to send him out for the first day of something new.
He is in 5th grade. He came in one time to show me a tool they can use in chrome books and he did seem to be a little less troublesome the next class. I don't think he'd want to give up lunch with his peers. It wouldn't be "cool", but I think you're right. I need to try to relate to him more outside of school. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteAs for your student, I have a kid with autism with similar problems. He has trouble thinking about new projects. I talked to our councilor about it, and she now "front loads" him. When we start a new lesson, she talks to him that morning and explains the lesson and works with him through his thought process. This has shown improvement. Does he work with any special teachers that would be willing to do this for you? Also, I've noticed that he dislikes getting his hands messy. When we use glue, I give him a paintbrush. Talk to specialized teachers about how you should differentiate for this student to help him become more comfortable. I think their anger is their defense.