|Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute||Home| Gretchen L. Gallagher
The students for whom this unit is designed are a group of
bright, funny, energetic third grade boys. They come from all
corners of the city to attend our school, leaving impoverished
neighborhoods, sparsely furnished homes, and often overwhelmed,
well-intentioned parents or guardians. Some of these students
have attended this school for a few years, but most transferred
here from their neighborhood schools within the past year
because of emotional and behavioral problems. Although they are
only eight years old, they have had more failure than success in
school. Because of their emotional and behavioral difficulties,
these boys are at least one year below grade level in all
subjects. They need a great deal of positive reinforcement, and
a well-structured classroom environment with clearly defined
expectations and enforced limits. With support and patience,
they eventually begin to develop self-esteem, an increased
comfort with and better attitude