The Almighty Chair Thrower

During our in-service earlier this month, I learned that I would be having a student in my class who liked to throw things. Her first grade teacher told me that if she doesn't have anything in front of her to throw, then she will take off her shoes and throw them. I've gone almost the entire summer without any incidents from the student, until today.

David has been bringing in Alphabet Bingo since last week to play, but we just haven't had the time to play (mainly because of the length/amount of temper tantrums David throws). I decided to skip science today to play Bingo with the class, especially since my class has been working extra hard during math. We started to play this afternoon after music.

Debbie, my classroom aide, was being a little goofy with the kids, and started to change her Bingo card at the beginning of the game. The class started to laugh at her and called her a cheater, but it was all in good fun. We were all laughing when "Michelle" calls Debbie an idiot. Debbie asked her to apologize, but that's when all hell broke loose.

"Michelle" refused to apologize, instead she proclaimed that she didn't like anyone in the class and completely shut down. We took her Bingo card and tokens away, and told her that she couldn't play Bingo until she apologized. She sat there for a moment in silence, and then grabbed the math paper that was in front her and started to tear it to shreds. Then she took off her bracelet, beaded necklace, and flip flops and threw them all in the garbage, announcing once again that she didn't like anyone in the class.

Of course, the other students are now watching her (who wouldn't). Instead of giving her any attention, we continued our game. I guess this wasn't the reaction that she had in mind, so she kicked "Amanda's" backpack, upsetting "Amanda." At this point, Debbie and I are trying to get "Michelle" to sit back in her seat, but instead she took her chair and pushed it over with full force.

At this point, we were both a nervous (and a little scared) that her next step would be to actually throw the chair across the room. Debbie escorted "Michelle" and her trashcan full of jewelery and shoes with her.