Roy...

Today was one of the most rewarding days I've had at school. We have a student named Roy that really struggles. He cries a lot and his social skills are lacking. He's never prepared with paper and pencil. He often loses 2 or 3 pencil during a class period. So a few days ago I got him a binder and pencil case with several pencils. I had permission from Mrs. Jones to give it to him. I took him aside today, and asked him if he wanted the binder, and pencil case. I had a teacher print off a Minecraft picture to put in the front of binder. I know he likes Minecraft. I also asked Roy if he would take care of it and try not to lose it. He said he would. He had a big smile on his face and kept looking at it. I asked him what was the most difficult thing about school. He told me that he was home schooled until last year, and is still having a hard time adjusting being at school for so long. He would finish his work pretty fast at home, but he has an 8:00 to 2:30 schedule now. I told him I understood and we talked about ways to help him do better. He also has 11 siblings and he is right in the middle. For over an hour I helped him write an outline for an argumentative paper that he was suppose to finish on Friday. He would not stay focused, and wadded up his paper, and threw it on the floor. We finished the paper and he did a good job. I told him that he can always ask me or Mrs. Jones for help. He had tears in his eyes and seemed to know I was sincere. I hope he has a good day tomorrow.

I was happy to see Roy still had his binder at lunch!