Emilita83
04-27-2007, 07:55 PM
Happy Friday to all! I'm wrapping up my first year teaching, and let me tell you it's been a wild ride! Lots of fun too, though. I teach 4th grade and I've dealt with many behavior problems all year long, but I was thrown a curve ball today and I'd love to get some advice on how to handle it best. Here's the situation: I have very few girls in my class, and for the most part, they are all model students and get along well. There is one girl, I'll call her M, who is also very bright, but she's way too hard on herself and she's constantly having trouble getting along with the other girls because she gets frustrated and offended really easily. The drama usually just escalates to little bouts that I quickly quiet and follow with a conversation about friendship and respect, etc. Well today, one of the boys intercepted a note between two of the girls, N and S, who are both exemplary students who are constantly doing everything they are supposed to and then some. I have had absolutely no problems with them aside from the aforementioned "girlie drama." Oh, i should mention that all of the girls are trying out for the cheer/dance team. The note reads the following:
-"M cannot afford to pay for the uniform even if she makes it on the squad" -S
-"I know, she's too poor. Bet you she doesn't make the team"-N
-"I know she won't and if she does, she'll be the ugliest one"-S
I was seriously taken aback, and I was so busy today that I didn't read the note until after school had let out. I know it sounds kind of juvenile, but I am so disappointed in these girls. And the fact that they are ridiculing her economic status is even more appalling, considering that I teach at a disadvantaged school where 95% of the population qualifies for free lunch.
I'm seriously affected by this and just don't know where to start. I don't feel like I can handle this like I normally would because this is not normal behavior, at least not for these girls. I really want them to empathize with M and feel how hurtful their words could have been if M had gotten hold of the note. If anyone can offer me some advice as to how to handle the situation, I would be much obliged. :(
-"M cannot afford to pay for the uniform even if she makes it on the squad" -S
-"I know, she's too poor. Bet you she doesn't make the team"-N
-"I know she won't and if she does, she'll be the ugliest one"-S
I was seriously taken aback, and I was so busy today that I didn't read the note until after school had let out. I know it sounds kind of juvenile, but I am so disappointed in these girls. And the fact that they are ridiculing her economic status is even more appalling, considering that I teach at a disadvantaged school where 95% of the population qualifies for free lunch.
I'm seriously affected by this and just don't know where to start. I don't feel like I can handle this like I normally would because this is not normal behavior, at least not for these girls. I really want them to empathize with M and feel how hurtful their words could have been if M had gotten hold of the note. If anyone can offer me some advice as to how to handle the situation, I would be much obliged. :(