Need some words of wisdom

Please don't quote, I may delete!

I am having a tough time with a student. She's 6 and all I can think is holy, she is *biting tongue*, let's just say I'm floored at how she talks to her mom and if she were my kid, she wouldn't have teeth. She has a mouth on her and I'm not talking cursing. She's nasty and talks back. She has a reason why she does everything.

"We don't push people!"
"But he wasn't listening to me."
"We don't pinch people!"
"But she wasn't playing with me." No duh!
"We don't do this/that/whatever"
"But..." There are no buts!!!! It's always okay in her eyes why she does something that every other kid KNOWS is NOT okay. She justifies every action when there aren't any justifications.


Seriously, I've never had such a nasty kid before and her answer is "But I talk to my mom that way!" "I'm NOT your mom!"

I need some techniques because I'm going to get an ulcer from this one! I can't keep biting my tongue. And talking to the mom doesn't help.

Re: Need some words of wisdom

i'm a speech therapist, not a classroom teacher, so its a little different.... but i have a couple kids like this, and it drives me nuts! i basically just let them know i won't put up with the arguing with me.
a lot of the things i do are game based, where the kids take turns answering questions and earning points.... they start in with the "but she had an easier question than me!" or "but *I* wanted to be the red piece!" or i'll tell them " we don't call out the answer when its not our turn" and they'll say " but he didn't know it- i was trying to help him!"
so i start taking points away, or take turn away. i'll say ' sorry- the rule was you don't talk unless its your turn- so now you loose your turn."
is there something you can take away? a few minutes of recess time or free time? i'm sure after a couple times, she'll realize that you're serious.
or even try a behavior chart- i have one girl that has a checklist- if she whines, doesn't listen, questions the teacher,etc then she gets a check..... if she gets 5 checks, she looses time at recess. SOO she basically gets 5 chances to improve her behavior... its up to her. and she can see the checks going onto the list, so its a visual reminder for her to change her behavior. her teacher started it, and its been working pretty well so far.
good luck!!! this is definitely not an easy job!!

Re: Need some words of wisdom

Re: Need some words of wisdom

I think a chart is a good idea.
From some of her responses to you it sounds like she doesn't have good social skills. Does she have friends? Probably not if she's pushing.
I would be very clear with the expectations. There is no discussion- she is probably used to talking back and not getting in trouble because of her mom. I wouldn't engage her in any conversation (when she misbehaves) other than- this is the rule and this is your consequence.
Also- this may sound weird but when she is not talking back and misbehaving I would try to establish a relationship with her. If you can- it'll be easier to get her to listen to you.
Good luck- she does not sound easy!