Case
Student Makes Up Stories

While interning in a kindergarten class, there was a student, I'll call her Rebecca, in my classroom that made up stories. My cooperating teacher would receive an angry phone call two or three times a week demanding to know why their daughter was always being picked on by other students. My cooperating teacher would go through the motions of finding out what happened, who did it, and why Rebecca never mentioned it to her or me. The most recent story Rebecca made up was that a boy from another class choked her during recess. My cooperating teacher again received a call, but this time it was the principal demanding to know what was going on because Rebecca's parents were threatening to press charges. When my cooperating teacher said she did not know anything about it, the principal came to the class and spoke with Rebecca to hear what happened. Rebecca accused boy X of doing it the previous day. Unfortunately for Rebecca, boy X moved to another city the week before and could not have done what she said. Two things: Rebecca is an only child, and she is the most intelligent student in the class. What could I do as a teacher to help Rebecca feel comfortable and want to be at school?

Posted on: 04/18/13 | Views: 1371
Solution #1
resabu Reps: 65 I think this is a situation that should not be taken lightly. The student made up such lies that got many people involved and could have gotten a student in trouble that did nothing wrong. I think this needs to be brought up in a conference with the parents, teacher, as well as the administration. The student needs to undestand how important it is to not tell a lie in this type of situation.

I agree with your solution, there needs to be something beyond the teacher going at this issue. The child may even need a counselor to figure out why she tells these stories.

I agree, do not take it lightly.

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Solution #2
This is a very serious issue and must not be ignored. I would suggest talking to the student alone in order to find out if there is anything going on that would cause her to lie in order to gain attention. After speaking to the student I would contact the parents and have a conference with them as well as with the principal in order to try to figure out a solution.
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Solution #3
A conference should be called so that everyone is on the same page and is presenting a united front. It seems that this is getting to be a strong habit. I would also, though, implement a positive reward system. For every day that she does not lie, she could receive some thing that reinforces her.
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Solution #4
The teacher should set up a conference and discuss the situation. The teacher could read the story the boy who cried wolf and discuss how that story relates to this situation.
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Solution #5
It sounds as if Rebecca is seeking attention, whether it be from her mother at home or someone at school. I think that providing her with opportunities to feel needed and wanted at school would be beneficial. Give her certain jobs to perform throughout the day, such as moving all of the behavior clips back to 'green' at the end of each day, handing out papers to her classmates, or organizing the backpacks in the morning.
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Solution #6
I would talk to Rebecca in a kind tone and tell her that she does not need to fabricate any stories in order to be accepted at school. I would tell her that I am her friend and that it is not nice to tell lies. It is much better to get along with students and be kind to each other. I would make sure that Rebecca's parents will follow up with her and tell her that they love her and they are proud of her when she tells the truth.

I think this is a situation that should not be taken lightly. The student made up such lies that got many people involved and could have gotten a student in trouble that did nothing wrong. I think this needs to be brought up in a conference with the parents, teacher, as well as the administration. The student needs to undestand how important it is to not tell a lie in this type of situation.

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