Note: This page is not an "official" part of the ADHD Journey. However, for many students with ADHD, not getting chosen for a specific classroom job can result in difficult behavior moments. So maybe..... For others who are landing on this page because of the "What About Behavior" newsletter (to sign up, contact [email protected]), feel free to peruse the rest of the site!
The Line Leader LamentI have recently been in several classrooms in which the teacher has set up classroom jobs for her students. The point of these jobs is to help children develop responsibility, to help the teacher manage the many chores in the classroom, and, well, because that's the way it's always been done. For the teachers I've recently seen, the job of "line leader" is a problem. A big fussy unhappy problem.
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See Some Alternatives to Having An Identified Special Line Leader
Line up in a different way each time. Line up by what letter your name starts with. Go A-Z this week, then Z-A next week, then M-L (think about it) then next. Keep them guessing!
Other ideas for lining up include if you are wearing a certain color or what day your birthday falls on. Tie it to what you are teaching. How many vowels in your name? If you have an i vowel in your name. Get creative! One teacher suggests making a set of cards that describe how students will line up and just pulling a card. That way everyone is guessing! |
Line up the same way each time. I know, not very exciting, but, hey, isn't that sort of the point? You could line them up from specific parts of the room so that the traveling to the line is smoother, for example, line up the closest to the door first, then the next closest, etc.
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But I really want him to learn about turn-taking, passage of time, responsibility, and that you can't be a "winner" every time......
Okay, so your thought is that turn-taking, not being the "winner" each time, and understanding the passage of time are skills you want your student to understand. You want to TEACH him about line-leader. That can be considered! If he's "ready" to learn these important, but difficult skills then teaching is the way to go!
First, if he simply doesn't understand that people take turns, social stories might be viable. And there are tons of stories for children about why we take turns.
Second, if he doesn't understand "when" it's his turn, the concept of time might be taught through the use of a calendar. Set up a calendar page. On each day of the page, write the name of the person whose turn it is to be line-leader. Include his, of course. Then each day, cross off at the end of the day and count how many days until it's his turn!
Third, if he doesn't understand "how" the line leader is selected, have him help with the calendar page using whatever system you have for choosing. If you go down a list, help him write (or dictate) the names and then use the page just like in the previous suggestion.
Fourth, if the transitions themselves are the issue, a visual schedule might be just the ticket!
Of course, while you are teaching all these great understandings, there will still be tantrums and tears so be prepared. Learning takes time! You might even consider using the strategies above in combination with alternatives to line leader. Then, when he begins to show understanding, phase line-leader back in.
First, if he simply doesn't understand that people take turns, social stories might be viable. And there are tons of stories for children about why we take turns.
Second, if he doesn't understand "when" it's his turn, the concept of time might be taught through the use of a calendar. Set up a calendar page. On each day of the page, write the name of the person whose turn it is to be line-leader. Include his, of course. Then each day, cross off at the end of the day and count how many days until it's his turn!
Third, if he doesn't understand "how" the line leader is selected, have him help with the calendar page using whatever system you have for choosing. If you go down a list, help him write (or dictate) the names and then use the page just like in the previous suggestion.
Fourth, if the transitions themselves are the issue, a visual schedule might be just the ticket!
Of course, while you are teaching all these great understandings, there will still be tantrums and tears so be prepared. Learning takes time! You might even consider using the strategies above in combination with alternatives to line leader. Then, when he begins to show understanding, phase line-leader back in.