Case: Where Have You Gone, Sam?

Case Introduction/Commentary

Many educators and researchers see the value in teachers learning as much as possible about human development. There are a number of changes and influences that accompany a developing student that can influence how a student acts in the classroom. A number of changes are associated with puberty and the teenage years. The following case takes a look at a situation in which the student has made a number of changes in his life that have had a negative impact on his role as a student.

Case from Preservice Teacher

My observation takes place in an eleventh grade Language Arts class. The teacher is very enthusiastic when teaching and the students really seem to enjoy attending his class. There is one student who does not really participate and often skips class. I did not think much about him until my last observation when Mr. Kerr asked me if I wanted to talk to him or ask him any questions during his prep period. One of the topics that came up was Sam and his lack of involvement in the class. Mr. Kerr said that Sam is a really smart kid who used to be very involved in school and sports. Mr. Kerr was able to talk from experience since he also had Sam in his 10th grade Language Arts class. The change between the two years was like night and day. He joked around with Sam last year when he was a B+ student while this year he is lucky to get a "hello" from him as a D student.

Mr. Kerr did not know the exact cause for the change in Sam but he has had a couple of different meetings with Sam's parents. They share Mr. Kerr's concerns and said that Sam has become more distant over the last several months. Mr. Kerr has tried a number of things in the classroom including group projects and presentations to try to get Sam more involved in the class. He even tried talking to Sam but Sam acted as if nothing was wrong and just kept asking, "Is there anything else or can I go?" Mr. Kerr feels like he has exhausted his options and has since decided that as long as Sam isn't failing or disrupting the class, there isn't much else he can do.

Case Questions

1. What are some possible causes for the changes in Sam's approach to school?
   
   
2. How would you address each of these causes as a teacher? From what resources could you benefit?
   
   
3. What suggestions do you have for Mr. Kerr, who feels that his options have been exhausted?
   
   
4. Why is it important for teachers to study human development and the social factors that influence it?