Case Studies for Discussion

Case 1: Grading

A new teacher  had a lot of trouble because she flunked an unusual number of middle school students. However, these weren't "bad" kids--in fact, her class was usually the only class in which these students received a poor grade. When her mentor sat with her, she showed her typical student's test grades: 25, 80, 40, 95, 90. She then did a straight average of these grades to determine a final grade. Now, even though this student had received 2 A's, 1 B, and 2 F's, the final grade given by the teacher was a 66%, "D". The student and her parents could not understand how this was possible.

What advice would you give this new teacher?  What strategies would you suggest?

Discussion Page

Case 2:  The Talker

A new teacher in your building comes to you with the following behavior management problem:  She has a compulsive talker in her class.  This child loves to talk, and engages in the practice with one and all constantly. The child talks to teachers and students continually, she will even talk to herself. She often makes irrelevant comments—at inappropriate times.  In addition she is a poor listener.  She often does not realize that she is talking.  The new teacher explains that when she corrects the child responds by saying, "I wasn’t talking to him; he was talking to me." The child has a short attention span and seems to crave attention.  The child is often poorly prepared for class and seldom does class work thoroughly or carefully.

    She continues to explain that the other children in the class are becoming annoyed and that both the classroom setting and lessons are often disrupted by this child.  She states that starting class is difficult and everyone's attention is distracted.  She also believes that other children are encouraged to talk because of this one child.  She complains to you that she feels as if she is required to reprimand continually.

What advice would you give this new teacher?  What strategies would you suggest?

Discussion Page

If you have questions related to this website please contact: