Chapter 12: Creating Learning Environments

Jason has been a problem in Ms. Johnson's second-grade class the whole year. He always seems to be out of his seat and bothering other children. Ms. Johnson is especially frustrated because these misbehaviours are explicitly forbidden by the classroom rules that she established when school began. She finds herself saying over and over, "Jason, you better sit down or I’ll make you really sorry you got up." Jason then sits down, but soon he is up and doing the same things again.

1. Based on Thomas Gordon's perspective, who "owns the problem" in this case? What type of communication strategy, then, should be used with Jason? Would Ms. Johnson’s response above be classified as assertive, hostile, or aggressive?
2. Based on your assessment of the situation, what does Ms. Johnson appear to be doing wrong in dealing with Jason? Suggest a management strategy that Ms. Johnson could use to deal with Jason effectively. What types of consequences, if any, should she apply and in what order?
3. Discuss how Gordon’s "no-lose" method could be used in attempting to resolve the problem with Jason.
4. How did your reflections on this case study prepare you to become more responsibly engaged in the world?