Livin' la Vida Loca!: Student of the Month

DISCLOSURE: This is my way of keeping a journal, so I am documenting....you can skip this post. :)

Samuel received the student of the month award for his class. Each month, the school honors a student from each class, and it was Samuel's turn this past month. This was a surprise, (sort of) because just a month ago, he was telling me that he keeps getting in trouble in his class and that he even had to go to a time-out type thing where he had to go to another teachers class and put his head down on a desk. I know that Samuel can be silly, but this was unusual for him to be getting in so much trouble. At this same time, we were having a bit of a problem with him at home. Nothing serious, just more emotional i.e. increased tantrums, crying and generalized increase in fit-throwing. I wasn't that worried about it, because, I am sure that being in a new school, all day long, is hard for him. Anyhoo, when he expressed that he was having problems in class, I became kind of worried and felt that I should intervene and talk with his teachers about his behavior and see if I could do something to improve the behavior at school and home. Not really sure, what....good thing I have some really good resources around me in regards to behavior management. :) So, I emailed both teachers and this is their response.

I really appreciate Sam being so honest, but he really isn’t a big problem. He just has to be reminded of the rules (like sitting quietly at his desk/rug) but nothing major at all. He is such a delightful boy. He participates in class and is very active during class discussions. Maybe just remind him when it is appropriate to talk in class and when it isn’t. I will keep working with him also, but honestly he is doing awesome! Natalie Day

It’s great to hear that Samuel is letting you know of his behavior here at school. Honestly is a good thing. He is a great student at completing work and task assigned and does the quality work I expect. The only trouble Sam get in my class is that I remind him to sit at the rug quietly in the mornings and at the end of the day. I think a great thing you can do as well is before school remind him of those things so he can remember that once he comes into class, turns in everything he needs to turn in, then he’ll sit on the rug quietly to get the day started. Anything you feel will best help him. Thanks again for letting us know! Estephanie Maiava

Why is he such a story teller? His Sunday school teachers ask me all the time if we are going on vacation, or if we are moving or some other crazy story! I just laugh and remind them that he is a good story teller. I then have to remind Sam that he can't be telling those kind of stories and that it is like lying. He always apologizes and says he won't do that again, but it happens again and again. How do I stop this behavior?

Back to the Student of the month, here is what his teachers wrote about my sweet Samuel....

He is always doing quality work. He takes his time and works well with others. He helps out his classmates without being asked to. He is respectful and is constantly following Silver Mesa's High Five Rules! Samuel is a wonderful student! Natalie Day and Estaphanie Maiava