Living in Egypt , near denial... or I'm ready to quit

[OakLeaf]

For all the ugliness in some video games today, I don't think there's overt racism. That particular word I'm guessing he picked up at home.

[alpinerabbit]

he kid who wrote all those nasty words, the one being raised with good Christian values... He told the principal he did that because his videos games, like Grand Theft Auto, are a bad influence on him. They encourage him to make such poor choices.

That's even worse, because he is obviously already mature enough to understand, and smart enough to manipulate. Disgusting.

For all the ugliness in some video games today, I don't think there's overt racism. That particular word I'm guessing he picked up at home.

or from some of his weasely little friends. Maybe his mom should spend less time instilling him with bigoted christian values and more time looking into what he's actually doing in his spare time.

[Veronica]

A photocopy of the cootie catcher went home.

Mom knows he has the video game. The principal and last year's teacher both encouraged her to take it away from him. She did - for two weeks.

Veronica

[Veronica]

In mom's defense, she is a single parent and she is trying.

I think the boy needs to be held much more accountable for his actions. By ten most kids understand what is right and what is wrong. He does understand because he has come to me on more than one occassion to tell me about other students who have done many of the same things he does (bullying, inappropriate language, body contact...)

I just don't know what "holding him more accountable" should look like. In all honesty I'd like him ostracized in the class by the class - not permanently. But when he does some of this garbage I'd really like his peers to let him know how despicable his behavior is.

He's been suspended numerous times. He's lost tons of recess time over the years. Those things aren't lasting and don't matter. The class refusing to socialize with him might matter. Trouble is - I have about 6 others who think bad behavior is cool. How do you ostracize 1/4 of your class? I'd love to make him sit in the corner. He can still hear instruction and I can see him... but that would be bad for his self esteem. Too bad.

Veronica

[maillotpois]

It is SO hard to get kids to own up to mistakes, apologize or be accountable. ANY kids. I have this fight over and over with Em. She's a good kid but she will NOT admit a mistake. I keep telling her I would rather shat she is honest, back down, admit she's wrong or made a mistake than arguing about it. I figure if I keep reinforcing it eventually she will start doing it. I'd rather you say you screwed up and be accountable than trying to evade blame. Blame's not that bad. It's life. Everyone makes mistakes.

Having a peer group that thinks bad behavior is cool makes it tough for you V. And I don't know what you do to make it sink in. I think you just have to keep chipping away at it, keep the mom informed (and put your asbestos earmuffs on when she leaves you voice mails) and just know you are trying to do what you can.