Marcie is a student in your fifth-grade class, and her best…

Marcie is a student in your fifth-grade class, and her best friend Tara is in the classroom directly across the hall from yours. Marcie often gets up and goes to the doorway to ostensibly use the pencil sharpener, which is located near the door, or to throw something away in the garbage can (also located near the door), but you know she’s hoping to catch a glimpse of Tara. You suspect that Tara is doing the same thing in her room, because you see her at the classroom door frequently. Knowing what you know about Marcie and Tara, which of the following actions on your part makes the most sense?

Mrs. Hawkins uses “time out” as a consequence in her class,…

Mrs. Hawkins uses “time out” as a consequence in her class, particularly when students are grumpy or argumentative. As you observe in Mrs. Hawkins’s classroom over the span of a week, you notice that Ruby is sent to time out more than other children. In fact, she’s sent there two or three times a day, especially when she is supposed to be working in groups, and she doesn’t seem to mind. When Mrs. Hawkins says, “Ruby, that’s a time out,” the student moves back to the time out desk and sits quietly, sometimes humming to herself. What is the most pressing concern about this situation?