I've been doing the scoreboard for two weeks. The kids are really hooked into it because I gave homework on the first day of school.

I understand that we should wait a while longer to start using Guff. I have a student who doesn't talk back, but who is a mess. He is the youngest of a band of many brothers all having been raised by single dad who works a lot and houses them, but doesn't really raise them. I consider him to be my year long project. I'll call him C. He actually has a sweet heart, but refuses to work. Last year I would have (I'm confessing here) been sharp with him and would have already given him a "team ticket."

He's not really a guffer, but a chronic, "I can't do this. Help me. I don't know how. I give up.....therefore head on the desk and tuned out" kind of kid. Very little attention span. We like each other and he knows I'm rooting for him, but it feels like a little extra incentive is needed. Any suggestions? I am a 6th grade English and reading teacher.

Hi SarahStep,

I just started here on the forum and noticed no one answered your question on the guff for that child you refered to. I know it has been almost two years, but... how did it ever turn out?

Let us know.

Tamara

There are as far as I have tried several steps you can take before "guff". Try and see if he can get help-c's from a partner and add points to the side of the scoreboard before he gets to the "give up" and drama stage. He and his partner can add bonus points. Make sure his episodes are not earning him the attention he wants, re direct.

I would not use the guff counter for his type of behavior, check out the E books and challenge him in another way. We can not change children's situations, we can only make the hours that we have them best ever.

Annette