Case
Careless Students

I have had students in the past who rock the "I don't care" attitude. However, I have one particular student this year who have them all beat. He is failing every subject and giggles about it. He serves break detention and academic lunch every day to make up assignments that he did not do or refused to do in class. He still does not complete them. He is very disrespectful to his teachers and to his grandmother that is raising him. We really are at a loss as what to do for this child to make him care. I can help a student who is struggling on any given day, I can't make them care. We have tried everything with this child. HELP!

Posted on: 10/16/15 | Views: 1236
Solution #1
Top Solution
I would suggest having a conference with the student. Sometimes a student with that "I don't care" attitude thinks that they have no one willing to help them. I had a student with that same perspective and after a few one on one conversations with him he began to change his attitude towards school and learning. This particular student came from a not so wealthy home life and absolutely did not care about school. Once I showed him that I cared about him being successful in school, then he started putting forth more effort.

I agree, having a parent-teacher conference is probably the best solution- maybe that will take care of an attitude change.

Yes show that you care and that you are there for them and are willing and want to help them if they are struggling. Having open communication is so important and i can not stress that enough.

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Solution #2
This child is obviously exhibiting attention seeking behaviors. He is welcoming any attention and it seems to be all negative. Detention is not a consequence he needs, it isn't working. You should turn this around by attempting more positive reinforcement. Compliment and encourage him on the things he is doing, rather than focusing on the things he is not doing. It may take a while, but I feel certain this behavior will turn around!
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Solution #3
I would set up a conference with the student's grandmother as well as the school psychologist and or social worker to see if there were any underlying problems that this student is facing that causes him or her to rebel.
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Solution #4
Showing an unmotivated student you care is a great way to ignite a spark. Set out to help him find what he enjoys and how he can relate that to instruction. Setting up a teacher conference, to get everyone on the same page, would be a great place to start.

YES! By showing him you care, he will probably develop respect for you as a teacher and slowly start to get his work done.

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Solution #5
Create a professional personal relationship with this child showing them that you care and are willing to help them at all cost. Maybe set up a reward system geared towards the interests of this specific child.
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Solution #6
Maybe having him go to guidance appointments and having them see what the root of the problem is. Constantly telling him that its not okay and its not funny to be a failing students. And when he does do something right it is great to give him praise about doing a good job. It will make him feel better about himself and maybe he will change.
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Solution #7
It seems like this child is having a rough home life. Have him sit with the school counselor, test him for special education, does he have an IEP? He needs attention it seems.
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Solution #8
I would think it is time to have a conference! With the parents and the student. This way you can address what is going on and go from there. Explain why the attitude is bad and will harm their education and try to figure out why the student has this attitude.
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Solution #9
I would consult the behavior specialist and create a plan that all teachers agree with before bringing it to the student and working toward a better hand in rate. Also check to insure the classes are not to advanced for the student. Sometimes if students do not understand the content they will resort to the I don't care attitude because if they refuse to work it looks better to their peers than admitting they do not understand the work.
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Solution #10
I think you should get the student one on one and make sure that they know that they can talk to you about anything. That "I don't care" attitude obviously has to come from somewhere. I would also suggest help from the guidance counselor.
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Solution #11
He might be displaying this behavior because he does not understand the material and feels that this is a way to mask his embarrassment. Is there someone he has bonded with that can sit down one on one with him during his lunch detentions to review and reteach him the material. Sometimes that one on one instruction given by a person who the child trusts can go a long way.
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Solution #12
I would ask the student what he wants to be when he is older. Then ask him how he expects to get there. If he does not have an answer then you can answer for him with the truth. Maybe that might help him see the need to do his school work.
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Solution #13
It does sound like this kid has given up, possibly because he has seen himself as a failure. I would suggest setting up a positive reinforcement with this child. You can either let him know specifically what you will be looking for, and start with a small goal. Or, you can just start doing it out of nowhere, so that way when he starts working towards the reinforcement you can slowly wean him off of it without him knowing.
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