Ms. Patterson continually drinks coffee in front of her students. ...

[hubes95]

Ms. Patterson continually drinks coffee in front of her students. Should teachers be allowed to enjoy classroom rights forbidden to students? Why or why not?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

Question 2

Is Ms. Patterson's decision not to allow students to get a drink during class a reasonable one? Why or why not?
 
  What will be an ideal response?

[Briannahope]

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.

[hubes95]

Excellent

[momolu]

TYSM