I think distraction can work in the short-term. If you are building a trusting relationship with your student, at some point, however, you will need to discuss his/her anxiety. I think helping students interrogate their own anxiety is a useful tool they can use throughout their life.
I think distraction can work in the short-term. If you are building a trusting relationship with your student, at some point, however, you will need to discuss his/her anxiety. I think helping students interrogate their own anxiety is a useful tool they can use throughout their life.
This really touched me. You are a wonderful educator.
"I can’t do this. I don’t know what 1/2 means. What does it mean to find fractions equal to it?"
"We discussed it all last week. You did three worksheets on it."
"I don't remember."
"Oh. Maybe you're in the wrong class. It could be this class is too hard for you."
Walk away.
Kids who *talk* about their anxiety are drama queens who need squelching.
Kids who don't talk about their anxiety are my kind of people, but we don't have to have conversations about it.
Truly excellent advice.