Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Create an agenda book and a solutions book. Explain the purpose of the agenda to the class on the first day of school. Have the class help you come up with solutions to an example issue. Analyze the possible solutions. Use the agenda book and the solutions book throughout the school year.

Answer: Get two blank notebooks and label one the agenda book and one the solutions book. The agenda book will be for any issues or problems in the classroom and the solutions book will be for any solutions or answers to the issues or problems. You will collaborate with the class to address any issues noted in the agenda and work together to write down possible solutions in the solutions book. This form of discipline, known as democratic discipline, will help to reinforce critical thinking in the classroom and get your students actively involved in finding solutions to issues or problems. As the teacher, you will facilitate these discussions and make suggestions, but you will also rely on the students to provide ideas and feedback. On the first day of school, present the two books to the class. Start by explaining that the classroom is going to be a space where all students are respected and their opinions are heard. You can also reinforce that you will be depending on the class to come up with solutions to issues or problems that arise during the school year. You will help to guide these discussions, but you also want the students to feel they can discuss and create solutions on their own. You can then show the class an issue or problem from last year that you wrote down in the agenda book. For example, you may discuss issues that came up during the line up for lunch. In the line up, some students got annoyed or hurt when other students cut them off or pushed them as they tried to get in line. Ask the class for suggestions on how to line up in a respectful way. As students start to provide possible solutions, write them on the board. Write down every student's solution, even solutions that seem silly or improbable. For example, you may have solutions like calling the students in alphabetical order to line up, allowing boys to line up first, having students run as fast as they can to the front of the line, or calling each table in random order to line up. You will then tell the class that because this is your problem, you will analyze the pros and cons of each solution and choose one to try out for a week. Explain to the class that: “whoever has the problem gets to choose the solution.” Analyze each solution out loud so the class can listen to your reasoning.  For example, you might begin with: “If I choose the boys before the girls, then the girls will be left out and we don't want that. But if I call the names in alphabetical order, the A's will always be first. Running fast to the line up could lead to injuries or more students getting hurt. So, I think I'll choose the calling each table in random order option.” Use the solution for the following week when the students line up for lunch and ask the class before they line up, “Who remembers our solution for lining up for lunch?” or “Raise your hand if you remember how we decided to line up.” This will reinforce the decision and show the students that you are willing to put the chosen solution into practice. Now that you have established how to use the agenda book and the solution book to the students, encourage them to use the books to record any issues and to discuss possible solutions with the class. Check the agenda book every day and address any issues in the book.  Ask the student who wrote down the issue to ask the class for possible solutions for the issue. Once the student has three to four possible solutions, guide him/her as he/she decides which solution to try for a week. Acknowledge the solution by asking the class to tell you the agreed upon solution throughout the week and refer to the student who choose the solution by name. At the end of the week, check in with the student and ask him/her to tell the class how well or not so well the solution worked. If he/she discovers the solution works well, you may ask him/her to decide if that is the solution he/she is going to use from now on. If the solution did not work so well, work with him/her to come up with a better solution or to adjust the solution to make it better. This will allow students to create their own solutions and to work through issues using critical thinking and self awareness. It will also allow you to discipline students in an open and productive way, and to get students to see each issue as having several potential solutions.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Be honest. Try to be understanding. Decide if this relationship is worth saving.

Answer: Tell the person, in direct but not harsh or dramatic terms, how their behavior has affected you.  Try to focus on yourself and your feelings rather than the other person. For example, instead of saying, "You sabotaged our project at work," try saying, "I noticed that our project wasn't the best, and I want us to be sure it is better next time." When you talk to someone and tell him that his behavior is hurting you, it is likely that he will deny everything (remember, passive-aggressive people don't like to talk about their feelings-- they certainly don't like to be called out about them!). Stick to facts and give examples, but be prepared for resistance and denial. A passive-aggressive person might harbor feelings of low self-worth or issues from his or her childhood that makes it difficult to communicate feelings effectively.  Talking together can help you understand the possible roots of the passive-aggressive behavior, if the person is willing to open up a bit and you are willing to suspend judgment and be understanding.   Ask questions about his or her childhood, youth, early relationships (especially ones that might have ended badly), or other life scenarios where speaking his or her mind might have backfired. Remember, passive-aggressive behavior is often a coping strategy used by people who have had negative experiences that left them feeling helpless or powerless. Depending on how a person responds when confronted about their passive-aggressive behavior, you might realize that there is a good chance of salvaging the relationship, or that this person is rigid in his or her ways and unlikely to change. Many times, avoidance is the only strategy that can use to avoid being a victim of passive-aggressiveness. But if the other person recognizes the problem and is willing to work on it, there are many ways to improve your relationship by working on your communication strategies.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Recognize how you respond to your environment. Find ways to redirect fidgeting. Be careful around alcohol and drugs. Get more physical exercise.

Answer: A crowded venue with music and many conversations happening simultaneously, a potpourri of aromas ranging from air fresheners, flowers, and food to perfumes and colognes, and perhaps a variety of lighting effects such as television screens or computer displays may overwhelm an individual with ADHD.  This can make the individual virtually unable to participate in a simple conversation, let alone excel at exercising business acumen or social graces. When a similar invitation presents itself later, he or she may choose to decline, perhaps resulting in a lost financial opportunity or isolation.  Social isolation can easily work its way into depression. You may choose to confide in a trusted friend who can act as an anchor during this type of event. This friend can be a focal point for you. He or she might also recommend that you step outside for a moment of relative quiet and regrounding when the situation hits a certain level. It can be difficult to sit still or to stop fidgeting if you have ADHD. Redirect these tendencies by squeezing a stress ball, for example.  If you find that you fidget at your desk, it might help to sit on a large exercise ball. Individuals with ADHD have a greater propensity for falling into substance abuse, and it’s harder to break away from that addiction.   It is estimated that “half of those suffering ADHD self-medicate with drugs and alcohol.” Exercise works wonders on the brain function of an ADHD sufferer, as it takes your mind off of anything you may be thinking about, and it also helps you get out some of the pent up energy you may have. Try high-energy activities like swimming or biking.


Problem: Write an article based on this summary: Run a humidifier before bed or while you sleep. Sleep with a few extra pillows under your head. Keep your room between 60 and 67 °F (16 and 19 °C). Relax in a dim bedroom before going to sleep.

Answer:
Dry air can irritate an already sore throat. To introduce moisture, run a humidifier in your bedroom before you go to sleep or through the night. Keep the humidity around 49 to 50%.  Some humidifiers have a cool mist or warm mist setting so you can control the temperature in your room more effectively. It's also a good idea to hydrate yourself just before bed. Drink a glass of water or set one on your bedside table. If mucus collects in the back of your throat by morning, raise your head up before you go to sleep. Elevating your head will help the mucus drain so it doesn't irritate your throat.  Sleeping on your side with a pillow between your knees can also help prevent nasal drainage from irritating your throat. Although you might feel like bundling up if you have a cold, you'll actually fall asleep faster if your body is a little cool. Set your bedroom thermostat between 60 and 67 °F (16 and 19 °C) before you lie down. In the morning you can turn the heat back up if needed.  It's also a good idea to sleep with blankets that you can take off if you get too warm. Keeping your room cool can help you sleep, but avoid using an air conditioner if you can. An A/C can dry out the air, further irritating your throat. Try to unwind during the hour before you plan to go to sleep. To make it easier to relax, keep the lights low and get comfortable. Practice your favorite calming techniques such as reading a good book, soaking in the tub, or meditating.  Taking a steamy shower is another great way to relax before bed since it will loosen mucus and can relieve other symptoms of a cold. Avoid looking at bright screens or listening to loud music. Lie on your side to keep post-nasal drip from irritating your throat. Minimize irritants in the room such as tobacco smoke or cold, dry air.