I get in trouble in class, but it isn’t my fault!?
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I would have to agree with most of the people who answered above me, talk to your teacher at the beginning of the year/ semester to see what can be done to accomodate your learning style. As a teacher it can be hard to deal with all the different learning types especially if they themselves can not learn in that way. Try finding a way to move that will not make noise (or too much of it)so audio learners won’t complain, and if you can try sitting down the back so that visual learners will not be distracted.
If all else fails see if you are able to swap into another class on at the same time for that subject.
All the best
There are at least two types of kinesthetic learners: first, the type that needs to build or do something in order to fully grasp a concept, and second, the type that needs to move in order to stimulate the learning centers in the brain. My son falls into the second category – it sounds like you do, as well.
First, know that this is not a disorder of any kind; it’s simply your learning style. Unless you find yourself completely distracted and unable to focus even when you move, you don’t need to seek professional diagnosis.
Second, know that you are entitled to a strong education – just as much as anyone else. This doesn’t mean that you have the right to sit in class and listen with everyone else, it means that you are entitled to an education in a way that makes sense to you.
Many teachers are knowledgeable about learning styles and will work with you (within reason) to accomodate yours. Since your learning style is easily mistaken for goofing off, I would really recommend you speak with your teachers, up front and respectfully, to see what accomodations they will allow. Obviously you probably won’t be allowed to fidget loudly or get up and walk around class 🙂 but perhaps something like drumming your fingers on your leg, or squeezing a stress ball? Both of these can be done quietly and inconspicuously, so they shouldn’t be a distraction, and if your teacher knows ahead of time – and your work shows that you are doing your best – they should be ok with allowing this.
Occasionally, you will get a teacher who either isn’t trained in working with different learning styles, or one who is very “old school” and will demand that you learn the way they teach, or else. If this is the case, you may want to enlist the help of your guidance counselor.
You may also find yourself in the position of having to educate those around you – like your parents, or a teacher who doesn’t believe you – on your learning style. Here are some sites to get you going:
http://www.chaminade.org/inspire/learnstl.htm
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_Honoring_Childs/
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_Learning_Working/
http://www.education.com/magazine/article/Ed_Keep_Your_Eye_Ball/
You can also find books at the library, probably in the mid-360’s. Learning styles are a factor in learning, and they are well-documented; however, not everyone is knowledgeable about them.
I hope this was helpful. You may have to do a little more legwork, but you should be able to get the accomodations and understanding you need, as long as you keep focused on your schoolwork and prove to them that you’re learning rather than goofing off 🙂 Good luck!
You may have ADHD. “Kids whose ADHD is predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive show mostly hyperactive and impulsive symptoms, i.e., they seem to fidget nonstop, they have a hard time playing quietly, and they don’t seem to think before they act” (ATF.org).
I’d be surprised if it turns out that you’ve never been tested for it.
Explain to them that you fidget and will try not to bother them, but it’s just how you are, and you don’t want to get in trouble for it.
At least they will know that you’re not doing it on purpose to irritate them, and they will probably get a good impression of you if you approach them BEFORE you “get in trouble”.
If you are a good student (you don’t have to be brilliant, but at least hand in your homework on time and make an effort), it will help. If you don’t make any effort at school work they will just think you’re lazy and not paying attention.
It’s possible to do fidgety things that don’t involve lots of movement. I know students who doodle on rough bits of paper and this works (I used to do it myself). You can also tense muscles without anybody knowing about it. Practise it at home – start with your toes, just tense them for a few seconds and then relax them. Do a few of those, then move to your ankles, etc.
You need to have a teacher who understands you and who can spread the word round that you aren’t trying to be disruptive. We have Form Tutors in the UK who would do that for you. Do you have somebody similar?
You know you are a kinaesthetic learner – do you have any written information about that which you can show to your parents? You need to get them to understand too.
A fidgety student can be very irritating to a teacher and other students. It sounds as though you realise this. Try your best to deal with it but remember too that it usually improves as you get older.
talk 2 them about the situation
ask them 2 help
