ABSTRACT
Professor Donovan’s students are studying to be teachers. In one assignment he asked his students to observe in a classroom with children who have been identified with emotional and behavior problems. Four students zeroed in on Julius, a 12-year-old African-American boy mainstreamed into Ms. Zimmer’s seventh-grade history class. The students observed Julius’ behavior over a 30-minute period. After a brief discussion, together, students noted the following:
Juilus walked in after the class period started and announced, “I’m here, let’s party!” Most of the students in the class laughed and then continued their work. Students were working on a map activity at their desks. Written instructions were on the board. Julius began tapping his pencil on his desk and rapping a song, inappropriate for the classroom. Several students decided to rap with him. Ms. Zimmer asked the students in the class to get back to the assignment.
