How can I reach these kids?

[solanis]

I need some advice, seems like this might be something interesting to general.

I teach creative writing to elementary school kids locally, since I got sick of bitching about the dire state of the public schools and decided to do what I can. Since I'm new to the program, I was given the problem kids no one else wanted to deal with. I'm okay with this, since I was a pain in the ass when I was their age too. Some background: they're third grade boys (8-10 years old) here in the south side of chicago, aka the hood.

Here's the problem - they refuse to write. I've tried all sorts of exercises with them, even taken them outside (had them pick a leaf, then went back inside and they had to write the leaf's biography) but they absolutely refuse to write for the most part. They even reject things that I thought would interest them, like superheros and video games and sports. Two of them are really enthusiastic and write pages and pages, but the rest of them have really difficult responses.

Some of them blatently refuse and just cause trouble, which I can deal with, but the others have a weird reaction. They write, and then when they finish they rip it up, or try to hide it, and then completely emotionally shut down. They refuse to talk, put their heads down, run to the trash to throw out their writing, etc. I don't think it's a response to the way I'm teaching, since the group I had before this loved me and was really eager to write.

Between the ones trying to be little thugs and the ones who are scared to be seen as "smart" or following directions, I don't know what to do anymore. So do any of you have suggestions on how to get these kids to chill out and do some writing? It's frustrating because they all signed up to do this, and everyone else teaching in the program has great kids who respond well. What kind of writing exercise would make these problem kids want to write? I'm stumped.

HOW DO I REACH THESE KEEEEDS?

[aurik]

Lost cause.

Do they all know how to write? And read? I wouldn't be surprised if some of them don't like writing because they're somewhat illiterate and ashamed of it. And they don't want to seem dumb so there's peer pressure on their friends not to excel.

You could try easing them into it by having them do mad libs. Then go on from there.

[Headspace]

(had them pick a leaf, then went back inside and they had to write the leaf's biography)

that's the gayest shit i've ever heard

[Ksandra]

for the ones that refuse to write, ignore them. Seriously. They are trying to get a reaction out of you.

For the ones that write and rip it up you have to give them confidence that if they don't want anyone to see it they won't. Allow them to have a journal they they keep at all times ( have some extra because more than likely they'll forget them somtimes/lose them). Let them write what they want and keep insisting you won't read it unless they want to share. Hopefully, eventually they'll write something they want you to see, but if not, you have to let them know that's ok. There can be multiple reasons why they are ripping it up, but the best wat to help kids be encourage to write is to 1. build confidence 2. build trust

Not sure if you've instituted any kind of merit system but positive reinforcements always are helpful.

at my tutoring place I started to give students a ticket at the end of the day if they behaved well/did their work. then they could exchange their tickets in for chips/candy/small prizes etc.

To warn you though they will push the limit so whatever you set to be the goal to get a ticket make sure you stick to it.

[solanis]

that's the gayest shit i've ever heard

no shit, was just an excuse to get them outside. temporary change of scenary, etc... it actually worked, since that was one of the few times even the troublemakers wrote quietly.

for the ones that refuse to write, ignore them. Seriously. They are trying to get a reaction out of you.

For the ones that write and rip it up you have to give them confidence that if they don't want anyone to see it they won't. Allow them to have a journal they they keep at all times ( have some extra because more than likely they'll forget them somtimes/lose them). Let them write what they want and keep insisting you won't read it unless they want to share. Hopefully, eventually they'll write something they want you to see, but if not, you have to let them know that's ok. There can be multiple reasons why they are ripping it up, but the best wat to help kids be encourage to write is to 1. build confidence 2. build trust

Not sure if you've instituted any kind of merit system but positive reinforcements always are helpful.

at my tutoring place I started to give students a ticket at the end of the day if they behaved well/did their work. then they could exchange their tickets in for chips/candy/small prizes etc.

To warn you though they will push the limit so whatever you set to be the goal to get a ticket make sure you stick to it.

that's good advice, thanks. I worry that they're functionally illiterate; some of the stuff they write is shockingly terrible. They haven't been taught really basic stuff like punctuation or grammar. Some of them don't understand what a plural is, or why you'd use it, and they struggle to form letters properly. I think a big part of it might be shame like aurik said, so I'll try having them keep their writing to themselves if that's what they want next time. I'll also bring some candy for rewards at the end, and I'll make some ad libs worksheets.

[Mizango]

Niggas.

[Olo401]

It sounds like you're trying to get these kids to explore their creative sides. I've done a lot of creative writing myself and I've gotta say it's really tough unless you go into it with something already in your head trying to pop out. So the plan is to get your students' minds to pop stuff out.

Here's a wild idea.. Have you ever seen those never-ending story threads on forum boards like this one where someone will start by writing a small chunk to start, then the next reply randomly writes another chunk continuing where the first person stopped, then the next reply adds more, and so on? Do that in your class as the lesson one day - write the first sentence or two on the blackboard, then start picking students to come up and continue the story. Have then all write down the story as it's created.. then as a homework assignment have them reread what the class did and add another few paragraphs to round things out. It doesn't have to be a continuous or coherent story with a plot or anything (that kinda defeats the whole purpose of being completely random thought poured out). Just get their minds leaking onto the paper.

Then their next assignment can be to write a more organized story - pick a character or a scene or an event from the random story and expand on it.

[Ksandra]

no shit, was just an excuse to get them outside. temporary change of scenary, etc... it actually worked, since that was one of the few times even the troublemakers wrote quietly.



that's good advice, thanks. I worry that they're functionally illiterate; some of the stuff they write is shockingly terrible. They haven't been taught really basic stuff like punctuation or grammar. Some of them don't understand what a plural is, or why you'd use it, and they struggle to form letters properly. I think a big part of it might be shame like aurik said, so I'll try having them keep their writing to themselves if that's what they want next time. I'll also bring some candy for rewards at the end, and I'll make some ad libs worksheets.

ya and more than likely they've been getting poor grades for it too which already gives them low self esteem on it. Best bet is to continue with a lesson a day and maybe ask simple questions at the end of the lesson. Don't try to trick them and keep it slow. Ie if you want to teach them plurals focus on just focus on S for awhile before dealing with ES. (Cats vs. couches).

Best way to look at it, is you are a supplement, not the teacher. They they don't have to learn fast because you are just there to help give a push, and even if that push is small they will still be in a better place than they were before. (not to say to let them do what they want, but don't overstress yourself or them). Staying positive even when you're thinking "omg that sucks", because the more positive you are the more positive they will be.

Also, make sure to compliment them on the little things that you might normally not think are important. Ie capitalizing at the beginning of a sentence, or putting a period, or even if they wrote a nice "r". I guarantee they probably rarely get that kind of support so it will be a big deal to them (even if they act otherwise).

[Jicent]

Give them prizes or treats for successfully doing the work assigned such as fried chicken, watermelon, a basket ball game, purple drank and last but certainly not least a vanilla dutch blunt.

[Miroku_Asura]

What about group work? One of my favorite writing assignments in high school was in my theater class- we split up into groups of 3-4 and wrote a one act play. Then, we acted it out, or could opt to trade our play with another groups play and we would perform theirs. Could make costumes and scenery if ya wanted to get really into it.

[Max™]

Be a grizzled hardass, rough up some gang members, and have a heart of gold.

[Headspace]

Tell them to write lyrics.

[Xiona]

you could ask them write in a journal, and tell them they dont have to show you until theyre ready but they need to save it, mistakes and all. set aside time for them to work on it in class and provide broad but guiding themes they can build upon themselves. lead through example too, when they write, you write and after you share your story; make it as ridiculous and weird with mistakes you realize and correct as you read it out loud. then use other activities to grade their performance.

sounds like you have your hands full though. have you tried asking some other teachers who are in your situation who are more seasoned?

[Senji]

Treats. Or bullet casings.

[Mizango]

Tell them to write lyrics.

Goddamn genius.

[Mizango]

Trust me, I grew up in schools like that and know the kinds of kids you are talking about, what sucks is you guys as teachers, get held accountable for the lack parenting and supervision of work once the kids leave your classroom. Ive seen it first hand man, Ive seen friends get yelled at and one grounded, because he entered the science fair with me when we were in 6th grade. I ended up doing it alone and placed third, but he was grounded from the sign up date, up until they held the actual science fair. Dude was really smart too, he just never had the support of nurturing at home. His parents didnt want the burden of doing "stupid research" because it was "too hard and too time consuming" (verbatim quotes).

Its no telling what he could have been, he was shot and killed walking home when we all were in the 8th grade. A wasted mind thanks to wasteful parents. It sucks but there isnt really much you can do to motivate those that dont want to be motivated. You never know, there could be something going on at home that prevents this. That is just one example, but I could go on and on. Woozie could share the same stories as I did, seeing as how we both come from the urban dilapidated settings, yet somehow found that drive to get out. We seriously could shoot "Boyz n da hood: BG".

[Franzer]

Tell them to write lyrics.

i hadn't even finished the op before i thought this exact same thing. They all think they are rappers probably anyway

[Drex]

you could always go the poetry route. punctuation, capitalization, and spelling don't matter nearly as much as regular writing, so it's very creativity focused. you'd be surprised what even uneducated people can come up with (lol look at rap music rite), and you could still teach them grammar on the side. i'd hold off on having them present to the class. nothing kills a kid's creativity more than knowing they'll have to read whatever they write to everyone else.

[Mizango]

i'd hold off on having them present to the class. nothing kills a kid's creativity more than knowing they'll have to read whatever they write to everyone else.

Also this 100 times. You want to stifle a kid? Pour proverbial gasoline on the fire by putting his stuttering problem and social anxiety disorder under a spot light for all to see.

[Max™]

I was thinking about having them write lyrics, but went with the obvious "The Substitute" joke instead.
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