Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Go Back                 Case Posted on September 26, 2012 1:18 pm Add to Favorites Calina Irion Reps: 57 Refusing to do anything A classroom situation I had was a freshman student who absolutely refused to do anything he did not want to do. The frustrating part was not that he would not participate but that his teachers allowed it to happen because it was better that he was at school than at his home. It was frustrating because (1) the student was not learning and (2) the student obviously had a horrible homelife. What can I do?                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.                 Solution 1 Posted October 2, 2012 2:49 pm Vivian Winston Reps: 123 The teacher should have a specific procedure or consequence established for students who refuse to do their work. If this is not working then you could give him an option of what he wants to do, but he has to complete some work while at school. You could start out by asking if he would rather complete a worksheet or work in a small group. This could continue until he becomes a productive member of the class. Votes: +6 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Jenna Herberson Reps: 200 School is where you do work, that's the bottom line.   Posted on: February 24, 2018 6:38 am Add a Comment                 Solution 2 Posted October 15, 2012 7:41 pm Justin Mortenson Reps: 108 First you need to have a discussion with the student to see why they refuse to do work. Ignoring a problem is no way to fix it. Showing that you care about the student, and that you want to see them succeed can change the attitude of a student. These problems are not uncommon, so have a plan to address these kinds of situations. Have options available to the student, and see if they like any of them. If there are problems at home, and the child needs someone to talk to, it is not your job to provide guidance but point them to the appropriate person in the school they can talk to. Votes: +4 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 3 Posted October 2, 2012 3:26 pm RyruNe Reps: 87 As a preservice teacher, we have an opportunity to work with students at different times during the day, especially if the primary teacher is instructing or working with other students. There are multiple ways in which we could work with the student to get them to do some type of activity or assignment. It must first be established why the student is refusing to do the work at all. Is there a communication barrier? Is there an emotional burden that the student is carrying because of issues he is having with his home life that is keeping him from being able to concentrate in school? Does he get physical when asked to do things which keeps teachers from bothering with him at all? Once you have established the possible problem, you can implement a plan to help the student break his refusal and start to work. If you have figured out that there is truly some type of significant problem that is going on at home, you can refer him to the school counselor so that they can see if the issue needs to be investigated further with professionals and law officials. If not, the counselor can take what information they have gathered and help you as the teacher devise ways to interest the student into working while in class. You can then come up assignments that meet the students needs, work with him one on one, create a rewards system for doing the work and also consequences if he continues to not do work or fails to participate. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 4 Posted October 5, 2012 3:03 pm uremev Reps: 109 If the teacher feels for any reason this student could be in danger at home then it should be reported. Maybe the teacher should speak to this student after class to find out more about their likes and interest and try to incoporate those into the curriculum. This will be a long process but it is the teachers responsibility to try to motivate the student to work. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 5 Posted October 6, 2012 12:42 pm uNaBeZ Reps: 131 First, you should find out what the student likes to do and find educational activities around that. If the student gains your trust, I believe he or she will want to make you happy, and will therefore want to learn. If you feel that the student has a bad home life that is affecting his or her performance in school, you could contact the school social worker to investigate the situation. Votes: +3 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 6 Posted October 2, 2012 3:24 pm David Corrigan Reps: 137 I would set up a meeting with the student and their parents or guardians. During the meeting I would try to find out why the student is not motivated. I would try set up a reward system for the student which would involve both rewards at home and in the classroom. However the student would also have consequences if he does not meet his goals. These consequences would also be at home and school. By doing this, the parents can help be a part of the solution and there is a step before I need to involve an administrator. Votes: +3 / -3 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution eWaPyH Reps: 100 This would work, but the post said something about a horrible home life. I can only imagine that if the student shows the teacher the kind of disrespect required to leave assignments uncompleted, there is no respect at home either. In case the parents do not agree to show up at the meeting, have the meeting with the administration and the student. Make copies of all documents and agreements made between the administration and the student to send home.   Posted on: April 18, 2013 7:01 pm Add a Comment                 Solution 7 Posted October 2, 2012 3:21 pm tebyXu Reps: 114 I would talk to the student and try to build a relationship with the student. I would slowly pull information about their interest as we build a relationship. I would then try to incorporate the students interest into lessons to get the student involved. Votes: +2 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 8 Posted October 15, 2012 2:59 pm ynudaq Reps: 121 I would try to come up with a contract with the student. I would try using an award system and possibly going to the school social worker for assistance. I would try to include the parents in on any plans to see if they possibly what to help with their child and so they wouldn't feel left out on what's going on. Votes: +2 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 9 Posted October 16, 2012 10:00 am edaPab Reps: 147 I would set up a meeting with the student and his or her parents. At the meeting, I would try to find out why the student is not motivated and talk to the parents about why the student keeps refusing to do any work. I would set up goals for the student that the parents are aware of and that they continue at the household as well. Votes: +2 / -1 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 10 Posted October 2, 2012 3:15 pm NaZyde Reps: 115 I would have reported this situation to the principal. If the teachers believe that the student has an abuse home life, it must be reported. The teachers are doing the students a disservice by not allowing the student to learn, or not finding out a solution to deal with this situation. Votes: +2 / -2 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 11 Posted April 18, 2013 7:33 pm ZeNyJe Reps: 102 I would have a conference with the student and the parents to see what the problem is at home. I would also use some kind of token economy system that rewards the student when he completes assignments. Sometimes, putting students in groups help motivate them to work as well. Votes: +1 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Solution 12 Posted April 15, 2022 7:12 pm juRuqa Reps: 201 I would first talk to the student privately and see if they have a reason for not doing their work. Maybe they don't understand and need extra help such as tutoring. If you can't get anything out of him, then I would schedule a meeting with his parents to understand what is going on. If it is obvious that his home life is a negative environment, I would try to make school a positive environment for him. I think giving him a choice of what kind of activity he wants to do is a good idea, but he needs to know that doing nothing is unacceptable and will result in consequences. The teacher should show support and understanding, and possibly set him up with a guidance counselor. Votes: +0 / -0 This Solution Is Useful   This Solution Is Not Useful   Comments posted for this solution Add a Comment                 Submit a Possible Solution Please read response(s) below (if any) before posting your solution.