Scenario for Role Play 11
Teacher role
Madonna is a nine-year old third grader. Her mother deserted the family seven years ago. Her father cares for Madonna, a twelve-year old brother, and a seventeen-year old sister. He is a truck driver and leaves very early in the morning, comes home, sleeps, goes out early in the evening, brings home a women visitor and parties till work. She is usually poorly groomed and not accepted by her peers. Madonna is the lowest student in her class academically; she fantasizes a great deal whenever a classmate will listen. This afternoon she walked out of class. You have retrieved her and are ready to talk with her.
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 Madonna
Student role - Madonna
You are a nine-year old second grader. Your mother deserted the family seven years ago leaving your father to raise you, a twelve-year old brother, and a seventeen-year old sister. Your father is a truck driver who leaves very early in the morning, comes home, sleeps, goes out early in the evening, brings home a women visitor and parties till work. You have real mixed emotions about when your father has visitors. You know that he probably will not pay attention to you, but that can sometimes be good. You can stay up and watch television, eat and drink what ever is in the frig, and basically do what you like as long as you leave them alone. You wish your mother would come back and take you away with her and the two of you would live happily ever after. You wanted to tell Matty about how your mother will come and take you away, but Matty said your mother is never coming back and glared at you. You were very upset, wanted to get away from Matty, did not want her to see you cry, so you ran to the rest room.
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
- Go after the student.
- Speak with the 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
- The teacher and/or principal could report the parent(s) to social services.
- Meet with the parent(s) to discuss the home environment and its effect on the student. Ask if the fantasizing behavior occur at home?
- Find a way to provide the student with the attention they desire in an acceptable manner.
- Suggest student and parent(s) visit a counselor or psychiatrist for family counseling.
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