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Case Study 1:

At Smart High School, there are different levels of math classes and Ms. Write teaches an remedial section. Ms. Write has had a student for the past year who she has become more concerned with, Kelly. Kelly is very withdrawn and indifferent. She seems to just get by. The students in the class perform well below grade level, but Kelly seems to have the most difficulty. Ms. Write is concerned with the fact that Kelly never speaks in class and that she does not interact with classmates. Kelly is a teenage girl but acts more like a younger isolated child. Kelly is also the only girl in the class but Ms. Write believes that Kelly is a teenager so interacting with male students should not be a concern.

 

While teaching a one day, Ms. Write tried to included everyone in the class, however, whenever she called upon Kelly, Kelly just stared blankly. There would be a delay and the class was being affected by Kelly's attitudes and actions. If Kelly did speak she would speak only one or two words softly. Ms. Write would have to repeat everything Kelly would say, so the whole class could hear. Again another setback because of Kelly. When the students are asked to work in groups Kelly never initiates conversation and she never works with others unless forced to. The delays and the special attention Ms. Write has to give Kelly, just to get Kelly to speak a few words, was having a negative impact on her students. The students were having a hard enough time paying attention and often Ms. Write lost the students. She found herself repeating lesson plans.

 

• Why do you think Kelly behaves as she does?

• Does Ms. Write treat Kelly differently from the rest of the class? Should She?

• How can Ms. Write motivate Kelly?

• How can Ms. Write organize the class differently to teach all of the students better, including Kelly?

 

Case Study 2:

It is April at Smart High School, a couple more months and school is over. Weather is getting nicer and it seems the students are getting summer fever. Mr. Anderson is noticing that one student has stopped trying, rarely pays attention and has not made any attempt to make up missed work or make up lower grades. Harry is in Mr. Anderson's Level III Math class, that is a fast-paced, high-level course. Harry started to miss class in January and missed three and a half weeks of school, including midterms because of an illness. Harry has always been a good student, however when he returned he had trouble focusing.

 

Mr. Anderson worked with Harry, offering extra tutoring and told him that he could make up as soon as he felt he was ready. After three weeks, Harry stopped staying for extra help and he still had not made up any of his work. Mr. Anderson talked to Harry and again offered addition help. Mr. Anderson also let Harry know that he available anytime to talk and work things out. Harry did not improve, so Mr. Anderson approached Harry again:

 

Mr. Anderson:" Harry you are a smart kid! What’s going on with math? You should be doing better in my class.” Harry: “I know, the stuff we’re doing now isn’t that difficult. I just haven’t been bothering too much. I mean, what’s the difference? I’m already going to fail for the year anyway.” Mr. Anderson: “Well, the year’s not over yet. Plus you need to prepare for the state exam. Harry: “What’s the difference? I don’t need this course. I’ve already got my two years of math. The past state exams were easy. I passed and I didn't even study. Mr. Anderson: “Yes, but you still need to pass my class to get credit for the course, and I don’t count the state test grade as part of the course grade,” Harry: “So I’ll take the course over again next year as an elective. I’ll need an easy class to round out my senior year anyway”

 

• What type of student is Harry?

• What type of teacher is Mr. Anderson?

• What can Mr. Anderson do to motivate Harry?

• Is there anything Mr. Anderson can do from now till the end of the school year?

• Should Mr. Anderson just let Harry do what he wants to do?

• Is there any way for Mr. Anderson to prepare for future students similar to Harry?

 

Case studies adapted from Motivation Resources and Activities.