[MissESL]

Fine! I don't want you, either!
Now that is not true, but after today, I could probably say it and mean it...until I cool off.

I have a girl who has walked in with an ATTITUDE this week. I know sometimes kids have bad days so I overlooked it, but it is getting a bit ridiculous. She was not in school Friday and so I asked her if that had anything to do with her attitude; if something was wrong at home, etc. Trying to cut her a break and give her away out. She is talking back, interrupting, arguing, turning and walking away when spoken to, turning in blank work deliberately, looking away and periodically saying 'can i go now' when being spoken with, and being an all around brat. She failed the spelling test today--it is in 5 week units and students have the ENTIRE five week list and then the ENTIRE five weeks to study in addition to weekly work. She failed the Science test last week (another thing we've been studying for the last two weeks). I've chatted with her twice this week, and today, pretty much the only reason she didn't get a referral was because I was out of forms.
I gave her both tests and told her that her mother must sign them and she needed to bring them back. Her mother needed to see that her daughter was gaining 22% on tests. I told her she had the whole three day weekend to cool off and I expected her to behave better next week, but also that I wasn't putting up with it and three strikes would mean a referral for her.

She told me 'I gone change class, because I hate you and this class and is boring and don't like' and I explained to her that she could not switch out, because as an English language learner, she needed it (and by law is required to take it unless her [parents opt out, which her mom supports the program). She is pretty low--about a 2, out of the 6 point ACCESS scale. When she tries, you can almost SEE the improvement. But after a week like this and declarations like that! Whew! I'm at the end of my rope--and I let her know it. I don't know how to handle her attitude; it's new to me, the 'shutdown' approach kids take when they don't want to be reached. I've SEEN it, but never dealt with it!

[read&see]

Even though she was yelling at you, it sounds like she is frustrated and maybe embarrassed. You are an easy target because you are trying to help her. The responsibility needs to be placed on her. What can she do to improve? When does she ask for help?
How long has she been in ESL? Does she care about learning and making progress?

[LilMissSEI]

I have the first grade version of that exact child. Told me today she wasn't doing any work and she didn't have to. Fine. I escorted her out of the classroom where she sat in the hallway and played with her hair.

I can not force children to learn and neither can you. Even at a young age, they have to want to learn in some way to be successful.

[lamaestra]

What's the deal with these kids and the attitude. I too have the 2nd grade version of that student. Today he told me "I ain't gonna do the work" I left him alone, and he just sat there for about 40 minutes before lunch and then he could not play during lunch recess until his work was done. He threw a tantrum complete with throwing himself onto the floor and kicking and screaming because he could not play. I sent the work home for homework with a note. This student is low as well.

It is very sad to see these young children not wanting to learn and/or be reached.
Why is this happening? I don't know.

Good luck with this student.