Student Behavior Case Study MTE522 2 
Student Behavior Case Study: Lee
Andrea Haltom, Megan Hicks, Erin Cassidy, and Dailmar Vallejo
MTE 522
Jamie Brockmeier
August 3, 2015
Student Behavior Case Study: Lee
Lee is a fifth grader who is in the foster care system. He has been moved through three different foster homes in two years due to his violent and disruptive behavior towards both children and adults. He is currently in a foster home with two other children (the natural born children of the foster parents). Violent or disruptive behavior is defined as any behavior that disrupts the learning or living environment, causes physical injury or harm, involves life-threatening or dangerous drug use, and/or involves intent to cause injury or damage to a person or property. Thus, Lee has been exhibiting behaviors that at school would be considered disruptive. He is likely aggressive and argumentative with other students and teachers. He is likely an Oppositional Defiant Disorder child (as many foster children are), which entails students “pushing back” at any source of authority or conflict. It is often a defense mechanism used by children who feel powerless to control their surroundings. This can create aggression, violence or even drug abuse in children and teens with this condition.
Lee may be an ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) child in the foster care system. These children need a “toolbox” of skills necessary for coping and dealing with everyday life as adults. Essentially, children are not born knowing how to deal with stress. We must teach them skills to deal with the stresses they feel as they go through life. Children who are exposed to extreme stresses (such as foster care, abuse, or family tragedy) often do not have the coping skills to deal with these situations and act out in aggressive or argumentative ways. They feel that fighting back is the only control they have over their own lives. As teachers, it is our job to show these students that they have control over
Andrea Haltom, Megan Hicks, Erin Cassidy, and Dailmar Vallejo
MTE 522
Jamie Brockmeier
August 3, 2015
Student Behavior Case Study: Lee
Lee is a fifth grader who is in the foster care system. He has been moved through three different foster homes in two years due to his violent and disruptive behavior towards both children and adults. He is currently in a foster home with two other children (the natural born children of the foster parents). Violent or disruptive behavior is defined as any behavior that disrupts the learning or living environment, causes physical injury or harm, involves life-threatening or dangerous drug use, and/or involves intent to cause injury or damage to a person or property. Thus, Lee has been exhibiting behaviors that at school would be considered disruptive. He is likely aggressive and argumentative with other students and teachers. He is likely an Oppositional Defiant Disorder child (as many foster children are), which entails students “pushing back” at any source of authority or conflict. It is often a defense mechanism used by children who feel powerless to control their surroundings. This can create aggression, violence or even drug abuse in children and teens with this condition.
Lee may be an ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder) child in the foster care system. These children need a “toolbox” of skills necessary for coping and dealing with everyday life as adults. Essentially, children are not born knowing how to deal with stress. We must teach them skills to deal with the stresses they feel as they go through life. Children who are exposed to extreme stresses (such as foster care, abuse, or family tragedy) often do not have the coping skills to deal with these situations and act out in aggressive or argumentative ways. They feel that fighting back is the only control they have over their own lives. As teachers, it is our job to show these students that they have control over
References: Abraham, K., & Studaker-Cordner, M. (2015). ODD Kids: How to Manage Violent Behavior in Children and Teens. Retrieved from empoweringparents.com: http://www.empoweringparents.com/how-to-manage-violent-behavior-in-children-and-teens.php Intervention Central. (n.d.). School-wide strategies for managing...OFF - TASK / INATTENTION | Intervention Central. Retrieved from http://www.interventioncentral.org/behavioral-interventions/challenging-students/school-wide-strategies-managing-task-inattention Jones, L., & Jones , V. (2013). Comprehensive Classroom Management. Pearson. Pearson Education. (1995 - 2013). Models of classroom management. Retrieved from http://wps.pearsoncustom.com/pls_0558843379/153/39415/10090333.cw/index.html