Self-Advocating At School
You need help with a math problem on a worksheet that you do not understand.
When talking with your teacher, how might you self-advocate?
I'm having difficulty figuring out this math problem. I have tried to go back through my notes to figure out where I'm getting stuck, but I'm still not getting it. Could you please explain to me how to solve this problem?
Jackie knows that she has a problem if she does not sit toward the front of the room. Her teacher has given her a seat in the back of the room and it is difficult for her to see. How might she advocate for herself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Jackie might say to her teacher, "It is difficult for me to see the board when I sit at the back of the class. I wear my glasses during class, but it still doesn't make everything perfectly clear. Could I please sit closer to the front of the room?"
You want to take your test in a quiet environment away from your peers to help you concentrate.
When you talk to your teacher, how might you state the problem?
When I take tests, it is difficult for me to focus because I am easily distracted by other people, even if they are not talking to me.
Phil knows that he is allowed to have extra time to complete math tests, or that he can take them in the Learning Lab. He failed his latest math test, because he didn't go for the extra time. How might he advocate for himself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Phil might say to his teacher, "I failed the last math test because I did not ask for extra time, or go to the Learning Lab. To make sure that doesn't happen again, may I take the next test in the Learning Lab? I will remind you on the day of the exam."
You would like to move seats, because the person next to you is constantly off-task and is distracting you.
When talking with your teacher, how might you explain how you have tried to solve this problem on your own?
I have tried ignoring this person's behavior. I have even asked him to be quiet because I need to focus, but it seems like he doesn't care what I have to say.
Jared was late to soccer practice because he had to pick his little brother up from school and walk him home. The coach is angry that Jared is late. Jared doesn't want to miss out on playing time. How can he advocate for himself in a mature, socially acceptable way?
Jared might say to the coach, "I'm sorry I was late for practice, I had to pick up my brother from school and walk him home. Next time, I will let you know if I am running late - is that okay with you?"
You would like to have additional time to turn in an assignment because the project has a lot of writing and writing is difficult for you.
When talking with your teacher, how might you self-advocate?
I really struggle with writing - it takes me a lot of time to get my ideas down on paper. I have tried giving myself deadlines to pace myself so I don't feel like I need to rush, but it's still really difficult for me. Because this project has more writing than usual, could I have a few additional days to complete it?
Maria has a part-time job at the movie theatre. Even though her boss knows that she has school, he put her on the schedule to work before 3:00 PM on a weekday. Maria doesn't want to lose her job. How can she advocate for herself and make her boss understand that she can't work those hours, but she still wants to work?
Maria might say to her boss, "I saw that you scheduled me to work at 3:00 this Wednesday. However, because I have school, I won't be able to get here until around 3:30. Could I come in at that time instead, and make up the extra half hour at the end of my shift?"