Some points I noticed were: *she sat down when she first entered the room and seemed to losing presence/power immediately; * She paid a lot of attention to the guy with the telephone, when he had already put it away; *once she got started on doing the class role, she became very focussed on it and she let the throwing and the "psycho" comment pass without speaking against it and she didn't pick up on Rose's preferred name.
| (172.16.17.151) | Wednesday, 8 May 2002 10:49:10 AM
She also seemed almost flattered when the boys asked her if she was married or single
Gaynor | (203.42.175.218) | Sunday, 12 May 2002 5:35:31 PM
She sat down when she entered the room regardless of the activities of the students -so most of them were standing or not paying attention although she had "started teaching". She didn't establish any rules in terms of the class being seated. She allowed herself to be in poition where the male students who were at the front with her were treating her as a 'female' and not as their teacher. She focused on the activities of one studnet (on the phone) and lost the opportunity to establish a rapport with the others, esp. the studnet who offered info on her preferred name 'Rose'.
Sue | (144.139.195.36) | Sunday, 12 May 2002 10:05:01 PM
She focussed on trying to call the role disregarding any other behaviour or activity
Did not use student's preferred name
Gave the guy with the phone too much attention - maybe should have taken it
Let racial comments go too far
Judith | (203.166.96.237) | Monday, 13 May 2002 3:25:12 PM
We are now asked to identify two ways we could handle the classroom more appropriately than poor Ms Milano.
My two suggestions are: 1. I felt she could have reacted with more humour and charm to the student who held out the chair for her and the one on the phone - recognising the humour in the situation but firm in her manner. 2. Rather than dismissing Rose I think she could have responded to her and acknowledged that she preferred to be called "Rose".
Lucy | (202.67.64.146) | Monday, 13 May 2002 6:34:27 PM
I think Miss Milano did not show clearly through her body language that she was in control of the class (well she wasn't, was she!?!?). She should have stood up at the front, with her chin up etc rather than sit down and look down kind of (I felt) coyly. It was almost like she was flirting with the boys which is a definate no no. Secondly, I dont think she should have put her name on the board as she did with the class still out of control. She should have saved that information for when they were settled. As with Judith, I think it is really important to call kids by the name they want to be called - she definately missed a chance to gain respect from that student. Also I think when she came into the room she should have slammed the door or made some loud noise in order to 'announce' that she had arrived. She also allowed the students to touch her I dont think is a good idea.
Gaynor | (203.42.175.218) | Sunday, 19 May 2002 6:13:48 PM
Could she have been earlier to class, and already been in the room? Name already on the board, etc, maybe even class rules??
Could she have established a 'line up outside the classroom' standard?
She was rather coy in her demeanor, she should have been more assertive from the start.There was no 'power'or 'control' in her presentation of herself towards the class. Esp. letting physical contact be established.
I also think she didn't need to get into an arguement about the technicalities of the mobile, she was always going to lose that one. That could have been handled later in another way, rather than as another inevitable defeat. She shouldhave used the opportunity to get the willing studnets on side asap.