Wednesday, October 11, 2006

  I've had a frustrating day today. The student that I tutor in this college reading program was being very uncooperative today. If you've read my posts, he's the one that wrote about his parents being in jail.

Anywayz, I've been having trouble with this student lately because he's comparing his experience to others, specifically the fact that he saw other students having a camera, and he doesn't. The thing is, some of the tutors choose to give their students take home disposable cameras to bring back. The pictures are developed, and the student and teacher create a book with this. I've done this before, and I just don't like how long it takes. My student is jealous that others have cameras and he doesn't. So what does he do? He complains. Then he practically rolls into a ball and refuses to talk to me.

OK, what he really does is puts his head down, covers his face up, and refuses to talk to me. Big difference. =P. At first I showed a lot of concern, because I thought he was really bothered about something. Since I've found out the issue I'm choosing to wait for him until he's ready to get to work again. Not only that, but when I read aloud, he sometimes gets really mad and does the same thing. I decided to read differently, and I think I might know why. He doesn't like it when I stop and do a reading strategy called Think Alouds. That's when the reader stops to comment about the reading. His reaction to that is way too immature for me. I don't know what to do now.

Then there are times when it's his turn to read and he refuses.

Today we finally began teaming up with another tutor and student. What happens? It turns out that the two students are mortal enemies! He completely refuses to work with her. Then she wants to take a picture of us with the camera her tutor gave her. This made him withdraw, and my professor and TA had to attend to us. I was glad they got to see what I had to deal with. I brought a camera for him today, and he freaked out before I got to take it out. I told him this when I returned him to class but all he could say was "But you told me you'll bring me a camera!" I don't even want to bring the camera anymore! I don't want him to think I'll bring a camera, then he'll comply. No. HELL, NO. This isn't a matter of you doing something and I'll reward you for it.

He also thinks he gets to keep the camera. I want to make this book with him, but if I bring the camera, I'm going to have to tell him it's my sister's DIGITAL camera, and he can't take it home. Gee, I wonder how he's going to react to that?

I am getting really agitated, but I don't want to drop this kid. My professor is suggesting that I talk to him about our plans for the day and my expectations clearly. I understand this, and I will try this next time. If all else fails, he might have to give me a new student to tutor. How horrible is that? You're so bad that your tutor doesn't want to tutor you anymore!!!!!

I really don't want to result to changing my student. That would basically mean this kid won't have a tutor and be out of the program. That's sad. My issue is that I'm here to practice on strategies to become a better teacher, but I'm wasting my time dealing with behavioral issues. I'm going to give it another try, maybe two more tries at max. We'll see.


Sometimes you got to cut off a finger to save the hand.


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