the third rail

Well its been a few weeks since I read this post about using a 2 X 10 method instead of a 2 X 4, and it inspired me to take a different approach to one of my own “troublesome” students. The 2 X 10 method is talking to the student for 2 minutes every day for 10 days. The 2 X 4 method probably doesn’t need explaining.

So far it has worked! There are a few caveats though-his behavior with other teachers, substitute teachers, other students or adults in general is still an issue, but with me  his behavior has dramatically improved. He still has a way to go but the classroom environment has definitely changed for the better.

When we started a few weeks ago he was pretty hesitant and it took the first couple of days for him to realize it wasn’t some sort of weird trick and he wasn’t in trouble. Then one day he just opened up! I learned his home life is a little rocky, no surprise there; and mostly he felt ignored and needed attention. He has three siblings (all boys) and both parents work full time putting in long hours.

So now we talk for two minutes every day – no matter what. Usually at recess time but not always (duty calls) we get together and have a quiet chat. Last week he started asking me if we were still going to have our conversations even though the ten days were up. You should have seen the smile when I told him it was his choice. Now he has become very protective of our time and waits until we can talk uninterrupted. Tuesday he ended up waiting almost all of recess until I was free to talk. When we were walking up the playground after he told me he didn’t mind missing recess because he enjoyed our time.

So things are changing and that is good. I don’t think this is something that will “fix” every troubled student, every time. As a matter of fact we still have a lot of work to do this year. I am very glad, however to have tried this and have another technique under my belt. There are sure to be times in the future when I have to break out the ol’ 2 X 10!