This week, it was wonderful to have the sun!!!!! I could tell that the students seemed to be in better moods and just more cheerful! I loved it!
I have still been having issues with Bobby. I feel as though he has already given up with school. When I was working with him today, he did a whole page of subtraction by himself with little help from me. After he was done, I said, “Wow, Bobby! Look how smart you are!” He replied with “Im not smart.” I felt awful because he knows he is a little behind in concepts. So, the only reply I could think of is” Oh Bobby! I know you are smart and you know it too! Dont forget, I am a teacher so I have seen a lot of students and I KNOW you are smart.” Whether that was good to say or not, I dont know. I was taken aback and that was all I could think to say. I know he can do math if he is more motivated and I find it frustrating that I am working with him for only 10- 20 minutes a day. I know that he is a bright kid, he just needs to learn that too.
I think your comment was good considering the time and situation. I couldn’t think of anything better to say and you dealt with the situation very well. I am also dealing with a student who I know is smart but says he hates school and doesn’t want to do his work. I can’t use my motivation to increase his and so I understand the battle you are facing. Good luck, just keep working with him and having a positive attitude about it and hopefully he will catch on.