Scenario for Role Play 12
Teacher role
Ellen is a very sweet third-grade student. She does excellent work and has parents who are very concerned about her achievement and conduct. However, Ellen drives you crazy with her constant tattling. She must have eyes in the back of her head. Nothing goes on in the class that she doesn’t know. When an incident is unacceptable, Ellen reports the person and action quickly and loudly. This morning you have planned to talk to Ellen when she tattles. Ellen has just announced to the entire class that Matt, Lucas, and John are at the learning center talking about Matt’s older sister’s behavior at Friday’s party and not doing their work.
Considerations
- Possible background information
- Behavioral causes
- Possible solutions
- Consider theories, models, or other information used to help guide your decision making
- Create a script for talking with Ellen
Student role - Ellen
You are a very sweet third-grade student. You do excellent work and have parents that are always telling you that you should do your work and behave. You believe that everyone should do their work and behave. You work hard and behave but you don’t think the teacher appreciates how good you are. The teacher treats the other students about the same as you. If you tell on the other students you think they deserve it and it is helping the teacher see how bad they really are and how good you really are.
Teacher - Suggestions
Suggestions to encourage change from self-limiting behaviors to mastery oriented behaviors. See Conversations to change behavior
and possible verbal interactions and interventions.
Short term
- Speak with student to find what the student needs are and try to meet them.
- Talk with the student to try and allow them to acknowledge their actions.
- Give as much attention and care to the student as possible and provide a safe and positive classroom atmosphere for the student.
Long term
- Create a program to teach the student(s) when it is appropriate to tattle and when it is not. Then follow the program.
- Find a way to provide the student with the attention they desire in an acceptable manner.
- Discuss the problem with he parents and see if the situation occurs at home and discuss possible solutions.
- Suggest student and parent(s) visit a counselor or psychiatrist for family counseling.
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