|
|
Return to
Love to Learn Place
Return to General
Homeschooling Message Board
Return to Discipline Helps
|
|
Do you assign your scholar a task for homeschool only to have him turn in emotional blackmail?
Sometimes inappropriate behavior may mean ...
Prayer
Prayer is frequently the key to motivation. The goal, aims, purposes of homeschooling must be clear and grounded in the Bible in order for the Parent/Teacher and scholar to unite forces in homeschooling and be in agreement.
To this end, you may want to consider doing a study on The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis if your child is old enough to do so. Let your scholar understand that the only one that benefits from unmotivated inappropriate behavior is Screwtape.
|
Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ. |
|
Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ. Thou shalt
love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul,
and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind. |
 |
|
Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ. And thou
shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all
thy soul, and with all thy might. |
|
Casting
down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself
against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ. And thou
shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all
thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength |
Troubleshooting
First, be sure your scholar has the ability to complete the task you have assigned.
|
|
|
|
| Is your scholar able to read the story? | Have your scholar read a paragraph or so aloud to you to make SURE your scholar is capable of reading the story. | |
| Is your scholar having a difficult time listening to the audio book? |
— Check
to make sure the equipment is working correctly. — Check to make sure the audio book is in working order. — Check to see if your scholar can hear you speaking. |
|
| Is your scholar complaining work is too hard? |
Double check
to determine if this is the case. — Is your scholar able to read what has been assigned? — Is your scholar's hand/arm able to physically write? — Is your scholar at least able to orally dictate the assignment? |
|
| Over worked? | When was the last time you took some time just to enjoy one another's company? Perhaps you may want to consider taking the day off by watching an educational movie, doodling while listening to an audio book, baking cookies/fudge, etc. | |
| Is your scholar putting his/her head on the table and saying, "I'm tired!"? |
— A nap
may be a quick fix — Your scholar needs an earlier bed time. — Decrease time spent with friends, video games, etc. in order for your scholar to rest |
|
| Is your scholar having a difficult time doing a problem they understood previously? | Show your scholar previous work where s/he was able to do that type of problem. | |
| Is your scholar spending too much time in the bathroom? |
— Purchase
an inexpensive TV tray to keep in the bathroom so that your scholar
may continue working on his/her assignments and not waste time. — Double check food intake. Give more fruit for constipation and/or cheese for diarrhea. — Take your scholar to the doctor. |
Bean Jar / Faithful Servant Jar
Stop inappropriate behaviors right in their tracks. Use the Bean Jar method. It is most important to connect inappropriate behavior with what Scripture says about that behavior. In this way, the behavior becomes an issue between God and the student and not a power struggle between a parent and scholar.
It is just as important to "catch" your scholar doing well. The Faithful Servant Jar is a wonderful way to tie in good behavior with the Bible. Did your scholar do an assignment without being asked? Did s/he help someone without being told to help? Did s/he do a task with only one prompt (not five or ten times of nagging)? If so, those behaviors need to be acknowledged, recognized, encouraged and, most importantly, related to what Scripture has to say about this behavior. The Faithful Servant Jar is a wonderful reminder that God is watching all the time.
Removing Distractions
Removing all distractions may also prove to be VERY beneficial. If your scholar seems to have trouble concentrating, make sure there are no distractions. Perhaps you may want to consider making a study booth. Study booths are fairly simple to make. Just erect a wall on either side and in front of your student by hanging non-patterned white sheets. Study booths may also be made by cutting up large cardboard boxes. By physically taking away all distractions (temptations?) for your scholar, you are helping him/her to focus on the task at hand.
Large Assignments
When large assignments are given (writing papers, reading to write a paper, research to write a theme, etc.), DEMAND to be shown what has been accomplished on a daily basis.
Recording: Audio and/or Video
Audio Recording: Having a tape recorder in the room is of tremendous help. Initially, you may want to place the recorder in your homeschooling classroom in secret. Play the tape recorder back the next day after emotions on all sides are calmed down. It can be quite startling for the offender to hear how they actually sound. It is also great to hear how YOU sound during these situations.
Video Recording: A video camera seems to work "magic"
with respect to motivation. When the camera begins to record,
behaviors seem to vanish "like magic."
Company
There is nothing
like having a well-loved, homeschool supporting grandparent, aunt/uncle,
etc. over to visit during the schooling day to participate in
homeschooling! Company may also be a well-loved dance teacher,
sports coach, music teacher or, perhaps, another homeschooling
family. In any event, it is amazing to witness how
quickly inappropriate behaviors diminish if not completely stop.
If this technique is used sparingly it may be a GREAT motivater
for your scholars.
Alternating Subjects
Alternating subjects
is a great way to keep interest up during the school day. Put
a fun subject like history or art after math, after civics try
a hands on science project, after copywork or penmanship do Bible.
Having a fun subject after an academic subject your
scholar does not really care for is a great motivator. After
the homeschool day, you may want to make cookies or fudge or perhaps
you may want to take an outing at the park, museum or historical
re-enactment. At the end of each homeschooling day, you
may want to take a nature walk with your scholars. In
any event, YOU may enjoy having alternating subjects to keep up
your interest level as well.
Portfolios
Preparing a Portfolio for each of your scholars may seem like a lot of extra work. Yet, the benefits are substantial. Your scholar's Portfolios may be as detailed as you desire.
Basically, Portfolios are like a more involved Baby Book or an academic scrap book.
See Portfolio Ideas for more information.
Revocation of Privileges
NO television, NO music, NO friends, NO phone, NO anything fun until all assigned work is completed to your satisfaction.
Confiscation: Room Cleaning
Some parents when having trouble
with a youngster's attitude like disrespect will have a "room
cleaning" for the child's room. The child is
warned it will happen. When the time comes, these parents
give the child a basket telling the youngster to start filling
it. Basically, the child is only left with a personal Bible,
a lamp next to the bed, and clothing. ALL toys, books, trophies,
etc. are removed (usually to a basement or garage). These
items stay there for a week. Then, each day, if the youngster
demonstrates good or appropriate behavior (e.g., being respectful,
no *trouble*, etc.), the youngster is allowed to choose one thing
to bring back to his room. After a couple more weeks of
demonstrating appropriate behavior, the child is given back what
is left. After this drastic measure, generally all a parent(s)
needs to do is look at the youngster and say, "We see a room
cleaning approaching" and everyone in the household straightens
up!
Time Out
|
Purpose |
Removal |
How to Determine Time |
How to Time |
|
Behavior in Time Out |
End of Time Out |
Time Out Documentation |
Purpose:
Most have heard of the
discipline technique of Time Out. Time Out is to help a
scholar to regain control of his/her behavior.
Removal:
The scholar is removed
from the rest of the family for a certain period of time. Generally,
it is one minute per year.
The Bench — Rather than using a comfortable chair, sofa, or recliner for Time Out, our family opted to use a piano bench that was set in the middle of the room.
How to Determine Time:
If your scholar is ...
How to Time:
1) Use your
timer on the kitchen stove or use a cooking timer.
2) Time Out is NOT initiated until the wailing and gnashing of teeth is over.
3) In short, the Time
Out individual must be quiet BEFORE the timer is set.
Behavior While in Time Out:
While in time out, the individual may not play with any toys, watch television, read a book or do anything.
At the End of Time Out:
At the end of the Time Out period, your scholar must tell you in his/her own words ...
| 1) why s/he is in Time Out, |
| 2) how behavior will change in the future, and |
| 3) what Jesus / the Bible has to say about this behavior |
Time Out Documentation:
Some teachers/parents opt to have the scholar complete a Time Out form AFTER the Time Out is over. Having a documented, written record helps to determine if there may be a pattern that has developed or is in the process of developing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Most people know PrestonSpeed Publications brought the classic writings of G.A. Henty back into print. Entire families are once again enjoying Mr. Henty's work in books, audiobooks, and in The Captain. Demand the best by demanding PrestonSpeed Publications. Accept no substitutes!!
