Saturday, November 23, 2013

Tough Turkeys

Where in the world is this year going??!!??? I cannot believe it is almost December!

I started thinking this year about some of the tough kiddos I have taught before. These are the kiddos that seem to never be absent but make YOU want to be absent. I think with all of the stress and higher expectations "they" keep piling on us those tough turkeys seem to stand out even more.

We tend to keep having more and more we have to teach but we also have more and more behavior issues each year. There is not enough time in the day to take care of everything but it is so important to help our tough turkeys. We will always have patience when our kiddos struggle academically but we tend to have less and less patience with our tough turkeys' behavior issues.

I have to stop and remind myself that I cannot control a kiddo's behavior but only how I react to that behavior. The only person I can change is myself. One of the most powerful lessons Conscious Discipline has taught me is about how the way we react to the upset of others teaches a child how they will react to the upset of others. Whatever we offer to others we strengthen in ourselves.

Our attitude makes a HUGE difference. There are days that before I even get to school I feel discouraged. I think with all of the higher expectations we are teaching concepts that are not developmentally appropriate. This often frustrates our kiddos and can factor into their behavior problems. We also have kiddos who live in a completely different world with different expectations when they go home. School and School Rules are completely foreign to them. We often forget that we need to be the ones to teach them this different set of rules and expectations. I forget almost daily that each one of the kiddos in my classroom are either extending love or crying out for love. I might be the only one to love that little tough turkey each day.




Each day we need to make a choice to greet all of our kiddos, especially our tough turkeys, with love and patience. 

From My Heart to Yours

15 heart notes:

Missy Johnson said...

So true! It is sometimes hard to remember but in order to get respect, we must first give respect. Our kiddos may not see adults treat them with respect and have expectations, other than from their teachers.

Dirt Road Teacher

First Grade Carousel said...

Oh Heather ~ I think I have my toughest turkeys ever this year. They constantly keep me hopping. I have had to rethink many things. I haven't even attended to my blog, because they exhaust me by the end of each day. Your writing helps me stay sane and provides important reminders. Thank you!
Maria
First Grade Carousel

Jennifer Laffin said...

So true! Thank you for the reminder. These tough turkeys are probably the ones who need the kindness and understanding the most!

Jennifer
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings

Nancy VandenBerge said...

I always look forward to your posts. I believe you were put in your little tough turkeys' lives for a reason. And they were put in yours as well. You will both help the other grow in more ways than you can count and in ways you may not even ever see.
I know you are blessed to be a blessing.
Have a wonderful break!!

Unknown said...

Perfect words at the perfect time for me. I have a lot of tough turkeys this year, more so than ever. I really need to work on how I react to them, and revamp a lot of stuff I've been doing.

Holly said...

I will let them be little...isn't that SO hard to embrace? It seems that the pressures we have on us, the teachers, cause us to forget that they are babies...and just need some fun, love, hugs and smiles...

Thanks for always keeping me grounded!

Hugs!

Holly
Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

Unknown said...

This was exactly what I needed today. Thanks for the words of wisdom. These tough turkeys have pushed me this year, and I really need to work on my reactions to them.

Stephanie
http://fourthgradeshenanigans.blogspot.com/

Chrissy said...

Just wanted you to know that the "I will let them..." image is my Twitter header. I'll post with a link back to your site!

Tobi Harris said...

I so needed this message today. I have several tough turkeys this year, and I needed the reminder that the only person I can control is me and my reaction to the behavior. Thank you!

Miss DeCarbo said...

I love reading your posts. :) They are always SO encouraging. :) Thanks so much for the sweet reminders.

Miss DeCarbo at Sugar and Spice

Unknown said...

I miss reading your posts. It has been a long time since we have heard from you! Hope you are doing well!