Level: B1 and up

One of my personal favorite lessons on Teacher-Parent-Student roles and responsibilities.

Before the lesson: Send SS a link to this post:

https://www.instagram.com/tv/B79jz-iHDAq/?igshid=1d95kqebb5rgr

At the beginning of the lesson show your SS Attendance Award Pencil or a picture of one. Like this one here:

Discuss with your SS:

What happened to the girl?

How does she feel about it?

How do you feel about the situation?

The video of Taylor went viral. As a result she was invited to The Ellen Show:

Watch the video and answer the questions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKn4naaLuqs

• On the scale from one to ten, how mad was Taylor? Why?
• Has Taylor ever used the eraser? Why?
• Was this the first time Taylor got the perfect attendance pencil?
• When did Taylor realize her pencil was missing?
• What did Taylor get from Ellen?
• What does Taylor want to do when she grows up? Why?
• What does Taylor get at the end of the show?

Discussion: The situation rises several issues and involves lots of people. Taylor, her friend Lizzie, Taylor’s mom, teacher, school authorities.

Discuss the issues mentioned in the comments below the video:

• To teacher: First, I want to give the teacher the biggest side-eye. Why would you bother to give a child a perfect attendance pencil if it was free for all to use? Do not give me that “sharing is caring” baloney. While I believe in teaching a child to share, boys and girls should have the opportunity to enjoy the fruits of their work. Also, they should be given the opportunity to share or to refuse. Either enforce that this is Taylor’s pencil only, or just give everyone the same pencil. Rules and structures should not be malleable.

• To Taylor’s mom: I know that you are raising a beautiful daughter. I love how articulate she is. It was such a joy listening to her story. It sounds like you are raising an outstanding child. Just know that I am only commenting here as you put this story out there, and it went viral. That said, I would love it if you would stand up for her in this situation. Yes, it is nice for children to learn to be the bigger person, but it is also good for them to learn to enforce proper boundaries with others. If something has gone awry, they need to be able to rely on us for support.

• To school authorities: Why do you give kids rewards for attendance? It’s like giving awards for not being ill? Or for coming to school despite feeling down or being ill? It’s discrimination!!! My son skips a day at school every fortnight because of his medical condition. Guess how he’s feeling when the perfect attendance pencils are distributed?