The Legend of Forte

Today was a little like a nightmare. At least where one child was concerned. She was gone for a few minutes once - it was a much more manageable room.

I shall refer to her as "Forte" from now on, as that means loud. :)

Forte wanted to have things her way and when they did not go that way, she got very vocal. She spent most of the day crying. Once I made her cry. You see, she wanted to write on a piece of paper when she was supposed to be listening to directions and watching me demonstrate a project. I told her to put it away. She didn't. I told her again. She still whined about how she "didn't want to!" (I'm always marveled at how kids think that's going to make any difference. Get used to doing things you don't want to kids! You'll have to do it for the rest of your life!) Anyways, I then made her give me the paper. I put in on the chair next to me and she gradually started to scoot her way toward it so she could get it back. So I moved the paper to a different place. She inched toward that. I put it in my lap and gave her the evil eye. She tried to slowly take it off my lap. At this point I'd had it with the interruptions, so I took the paper and crumpled it into a ball and threw it behind the teacher's desk. This sent Forte into a whole new level of crying. I broke out the scariest voice I possess and ordered her to her seat to put her head down and stop crying. The look of fear on the other kids' faces was interesting. Their looks of amazement when I turned back to them and returned to using my sweet voice was particularly amusing.

(Some time later I did give Forte her paper back and explained to that she needed to let me do my job and follow directions. She agreed that she would do that.)

First grade promises are easily broken.

Later in the day she refused to get in line for P.E. I threatened to tell her teacher that she should owe recess time for not following directions. She caved and got in line. However, not long after the P.E. teacher returned her to me because she was so disruptive and she spent more time crying at her desk. The principal even stopped by to talk to her. And after she calmed down I talked to her again.

My talks only seem to have about a 15 minute effect. She continued whining throughout the rest of the day until they went home.

I am marveled at how her teacher deals with her everyday!