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 Lament

I 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.  

Why is Line Leader a problem?

The prize takes too long to be delivered: For some children, it is hard for them to understand the concept of taking turns.  If each child has one day of being the line leader, for most classrooms, that means you are the line leader one time a month.  And, if that is seen as a "prize" or a "reward," for some children that length of time to have to wait is TOO long.  
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You are taking away a reward:  For some children, the way the job is handed out makes it seem extra-special. So the line-leader role is especially coveted.  Not getting that coveted role is then punitive to some children, so the tantrums and tears that result come from that punishment. And each time you call that "special" line-leading child to the front of the line, you are taking away that reward.  So the emotions related to that keep coming back! 

Transitions are hard.  And lining up is generally associated with transitions.  Think about it.  Your class is transitioning to another place. If your student has difficulty with transitioning in general, then lining up can be part of that difficulty.  

Could you do away with the Line Leader job entirely?

For some teachers, there are classes and school years when the line-leader job is taken OUT of the rotation of jobs.  So, you say, how can I line my students up without a line leader?  Because you know you will still have to line them up many times a day. 
Well, there are alternatives!  See below!  

So what can be done?

So if calling the line leader (who, really, is only the person at the front of the line, not the real person leading the line independently) is causing big ole problems in your classroom, could it be time to consider some alternatives?  

I cannot do without Line Leader.  My other children really need this job in order to grow as students.  

If you think the line leader job is critical to your other students' growth and you can't consider changing the way you use the line leader job in your classroom, then consider these alternatives. 
First, identify several other jobs in your classroom and see if you can convince the children to see these other jobs as special, high status jobs.  If you can identify at least five, then the child who is not yet able to wait his turn or miss that reward without big emotions, could have more frequent turns.  But it's critical to make those other jobs feel just as important as line-leader.  
Second, add another "cool" category.  One teacher (who I heard about but don't know or I'd tell you her name) came up with a great solution.  She gives out jobs to a few of her students.  The rest of the kids are "on vacation."  She has a way for them to display their names in the places they have chosen to go to on their vacation and she mentions the vacationers across the day. It helps them feel singled-out and special - which might help your sad student feel that way as well!  

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.  

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.