I believe I would have her write a letter to you and her parents (one letter) as to what she has admitted to taking, what she said she returned, what the kids say is not returned. I would also want her to comment on the time-line, the note to you re: your missing book, and a dictionary definition of the word, "credibility" and how that word relates. She can conclude with how she feels about what she has done and also what remains to be done by her (things returned or explained away.) In particular, I would have her tie the definition of the word "credibility" to the knee-jerk reaction that she will be suspected when "something is missing, and why that reaction is bound to be the case...the next time something disappears. Having her add that others should not alter their learning style and habits ---such as pencils on desks, books in easy reach, and so on--- may force her to "walk in the shoes" of the people who have to deal with in an environment where a student "takes things."
This may seem harsh, but sometimes the bitter reality on a personal analysis of the deed and its effect on others is necessary for the student to own the deed. When the deed is acknowledge and it is written out in detail, it becomes history, cleanes the soul ...so to speak, and allows the student to plan some sort of intervention.... like counting to 50 before picking something up that is not his or her own property. In our day and age, where parents explain away or ignore the problems of their kids in hopes they will disappear, I have found that students come to terms with the issue better when they deal with it in writing... not a quick write, but a revised, well thought out and detailed summation of the problem and possible solution to reduce the occurence of the problem. If kids can own it, then parents seem able to own it. Then again, you may think it a terrible strategy... good luck and keep us posted. D Bova----- Original Message ----- From: Nancy Carroll To: [email protected] Sent: Sun, 6 Dec 2009 08:08:53 +0000 (UTC) Subject: [LIT] Classroom Kleptomaniac Hi Everyone, I have a student who's taken little pencils, trinkets, pens, silly putty, etc. from other students desks. She has admitted to it and has spoken with the principal several times about it. She said that she was going to return everything by Friday but she did not. (When I asked her if she had returned them, she said everything but the silly putty). When I asked the students if they had received their items, they said no. (They do not know that it is her for sure, but they suspect her because of her history). I also have a teacher's edition book (small paperback) that's missing. She wrote me a note insisting that she did not take it, but I wonder otherwise. Fortunately, parent-student-teacher conferences are on Monday. ;> Any ideas about putting the kibosh on classroom kleptomania? This is a private school, and I like leaving my marked-up novels and teacher's editions out where I can grab them easily and not have to worry about thievery. Thanks so much, Nancy _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive _______________________________________________ The Literacy Workshop ListServ http://www.literacyworkshop.org To unsubscribe or modify your membership please go to http://literacyworkshop.org/mailman/options/lit_literacyworkshop.org. Search the LIT archives at http://snipurl.com/LITArchive
