Conflict (Lesson)

1. Conflict (Lesson) You need your clicker!

2. For each scenario, choose the best answer for whatyou'd do first. You'll have the chance to suggest other answers.

3. Student and student You teach 6th grade. Spencer and Jacob are two boys in your class. They are supposed to present today after recess. Just before recess, they approach you. They met on Saturday to plan the presentation. Spencer thought Jacob was creating the slideshow, and vice versa. So, they don't have a slideshow. They're angry at each other.

4. "You were supposed to do it!" • Give them zeros • Contact home • Sympathize with their anxiety • Lecture them on responsibility

5. You and a student You teach 11th grade math. Alika is a girl in your last period. You know that she works after school. Yesterday, she asked for a bathroom pass near the end of the hour, and she didn't return. This morning, you visit her home room and ask her what happened. She tells you that your class isn't as important as being on time to work.

6. "I have to leave early." • Threaten to have her expelled • Agree that she can leave early • Express concern for her • Never give her bathroom passes

7. You and a class You teach 1st grade. Your class earned a pizza party today, because of their good behavior for the last three weeks. You were supposed to order the pizza when they were at PE. But your significant other called then, you had an argument, and you forgot about the pizza. Now it's the last hour, and your students are upset that they're not getting pizza.

8. "Where's our pizza?!" • Apologize • Hand out stickers instead • Say that it's not a big deal • Say that you had a more important phone call

9. You and a colleague You teach 5th grade. Jasmine was off-task when she was supposed to be working on social studies. When the class left for music, you kept Jasmine in your room to make up the work. Ms. Beck, the music teacher, comes in after school. The other students explained Jasmine's absence to Ms. Beck. She's upset because Jasmine was supposed to practice a solo today.

10. "You can't take away my time with these students!" • Say that music isn't as important as social studies • Call the principal • Suggest that Jasmine practice before school • Apologize

11. You and a parent/guardian You teach 10th grade speech. Gajra participated in class and gave all the required speeches. He earned a solid B for the semester. Gajra's father, Mr. Rao, comes into your classroom after school. He's very upset about the grade. Mr. Rao insists that you give Gajra extra credit opportunities.

12. "My son needs a 4.0 to get into university!" • Show him your rubrics and explain where Gajra failed to meet goals • Say that maybe he doesn't understand how grading works in this country • Say that you don't have time to talk about this • Call the principal • Say that your decisions about grades are final

13. You and an administrator You teach high school and coach the varsity girls volleyball team. Ms. Trina is your principal. Over the summer, you became a parent. You want to be home more. You arranged a 50% FTE, afternoons-only schedule. Ms. Trina has scheduled a coaches' meeting before school, to schedule practice times for different teams. She insists you attend.

14. "If you're not here, you'll get last priority on gym use." • Threaten to quit • Say that as a woman, she should understand that family matters • Call the district office • Suggest participating by phone

15. The End