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  Case: The Newcomer
Ivan came to my 5th grade classroom two weeks ago. He moved to the United States with his parents about a month ago from Russia. Both of his parents are graduate students at the local university. Ivan speaks no English at all. There are no other Russian speakers in our school, so I cannot use a translator when I try to communicate with Ivan. So, I decided that I would give him time learn some English through everyday interactions with me and his classmates. Two days ago I heard Ivan using the "F-word" repeatedly on the playground and in the classroom. I do not exactly know how he learned the word but my guess is that one of his classmates taught it to him as a joke. I have to address this problem. I have to find a way to explain to Ivan that this word is not acceptable. I also have to find out who taught this to him. I cannot allow these types behaviors in the classroom. I am not sure if I should involve the parents. I need to do something, but what?
Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!)
I would let the parents know that this is a problem that you have seen occur in the classroom and on the playground. I would tell them that it is not acceptable to say this word at anytime while at school. I would also apologize to the parents and say that you are trying to find out where this language came from. I think by letting the parents know immediately, they have a better chance of getting through to Ivan and communicating with him that it's not acceptable. I would first go to the parents in this situation since there is a barrier of different languages with you and Ivan. It would be different if he knew some English and you could use basic words like "no" and "don't say", etc.
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution. The parents probably will have a better time getting through to Ivan and understanding the problem,
Rated On: October 18, 2014 9:32 pm
Rated By: Megan Lee
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I agree with this solution. Letting the parents know of the problem is the best way to go about it because of the given language barrier.
Rated On: October 21, 2014 10:30 pm
Rated By: yVuLyR
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: The parents should definitely be informed first that way any new development is stretched out from the two-way communication.
Rated On: March 2, 2015 1:30 am
Rated By: Qebysu
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Talking to the parents is a good idea. Great job
Rated On: March 6, 2016 6:17 pm
Rated By: yNesuL
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: I think is one of the best ways to approach this issue, especially so that the parents are not surprised to hear it form him.
Rated On: October 17, 2016 3:19 am
Rated By: Raven B
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: This is direct and sound advice. Ivan is probably not aware of what he is saying or that the word is not allowed at school, but is ultimately predictable that students would focus on teaching him "dirty words."
Rated On: March 6, 2017 5:41 pm
Rated By: jyHyHy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would exactly do this
Rated On: February 26, 2018 12:24 am
Rated By: DuTepy
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: i agree
Rated On: October 27, 2018 7:41 pm
Rated By: Carla Crumb
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: If I were in this situation, I would do exactly this.
Rated On: February 24, 2019 10:19 pm
Rated By: yzysuZ
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Letting the parents know, is a great start, but first figure out what you plans of addressing the issues within the class, as i'm sure the parents have many concerns.
Rated On: October 25, 2021 8:46 pm
Rated By: Colleen Buckwalter
 
     
     
  Rating
The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes
The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes
The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes
The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes
The suggested solution is original Yes
Comments: Bringing attention to this as a class helps stop spreading it around but also having one-on-one time with the student to try and educate him on the topic is a good way to start.
Rated On: October 31, 2021 3:31 pm
Rated By: Pearl Reberkenny