Answer to Question 1
Although there will inevitably be situations in which classroom teachers have rights forbidden to students, teachers would do well to not flaunt such rights. Ms. Patterson adheres to a double standard here: She and Dari can have a drink whenever they want, but the others cannot. Classroom teachers can be influential models that have a significant impact on students' behaviors. A teacher who exhibits a consistent disregard for rules may communicate the idea that ignoring rules is acceptable behavior. Instead, a teacher who finds that he or she must violate a certain rule should acknowledge the importance of the rule and provide a brief explanation of the uniqueness of the situation that warrants the transgression.
Answer to Question 2
In refusing to allow her students to get a drink when they're thirsty, she creates a classroom environment that is highly autocratic. Ultimately this is not an effective instructional strategy, in large part because it undermines students' sense of self-determination. A more effective approach might be to engage her students in a discussion of the pros and cons of getting drinks during class time and have the class as a whole establish a procedure that will not disrupt learning. Such an approach will help students understand the reasons for, and thereby help them to adhere to, any limits on their classroom behavior.
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