That Kid

Dear teachers of my child and fellow colleagues,

That student in the back of your room, sitting by himself, silent, sullen, with an "I don't give a crap" look on his face; don't be fooled.  He's actually trying to understand the concepts you are teaching but has a hard time focusing because of the noise level and constant talking of other students around him.

I know.

You're using all the methods that your district keeps providing training on; Restorative Justice Circles, Common Core, Group Work, Unit Work, Performance Tasks.... the list goes on and on; but did you know it's actually very simple..... he's THAT kid!

THAT kid who needs a quieter environment to work in.

THAT kid that struggles to concentrate when the other students around him are talking (even quietly).

THAT kid who won't ask for help, not because he thinks you won't help him, but because he feels there are other students in the class that need more help than he does.

But I'll let you in on a little secret.....

He needs YOUR help.
He needs YOU to recognize that he isn't avoiding participating because he's too cool or uninterested, but because he feels like he's standing in the middle of a busy sidewalk trying to focus on what you're teaching.

He is only able to catch bits and pieces of what you say over the many other conversations going on around him..
*the chairs moving about..
*the student in front of him that keeps getting in and out of his chair..
*the sounds of your footsteps as you walk the room..
*the hum of the lights..
*the computers that students are working on..
*the tapping of a pencil, clicking of a pen..
*did he remember to bring his assignment for his next class...?
*he has homework from the class before that he really wants to finish...
*he's running the mile today in PE (he doesn't like running and doesn't want to fail)...
*will his friends make it on the bus with him today or will they have to catch the second one...?
*what chores will he have when he gets home...?
*what's for dinner (he's a growing boy after all)...?
*he really wants to catch up on some TV...
*how hard will this class be tomorrow......?

My son's lack of participation in your class has nothing to do with you or his ability to understand and do the work, but everything to do with his inability to focus when there is just too much going on around him.  Even with his medicine some days it's all he can do to understand just a little part of what you are teaching.

It's hard to reach out to the seemingly sullen, inattentive student sitting in the back of the class at times, but hopefully we can all find it in us to figure out each of our students and provide them with the best of us.