Matt had a teacher that really hated him.  He could tell because every time he said something in class she would yell at him even though many other people were talking at the same time.  She purposely graded his essays harder than other people and seemed to delight in giving him bad grades.  So naturally, since he knew that she hated him, he stopped working. 

 

 “What’s the use in trying when she’s just going to fail me anyway”  he would say to his friends and anyone who would listen.

 

The bad news is that Matt needed to pass this required class in order to graduate.  He had a summer internship lined up with a solar electric company as an apprentice installer paying $15 per hour (that’s $120.00 per day!!) to start!  But of course that would fly out the window if he didn’t have his diploma.

 

You are one of Matt’s best friends and you want him to get what he wants  (plus if he gets that killer job he can pay you back all the money he owes you!)  

 

1.  What do you say to him when he tells you that he’s going to stop showing up to that class since he can’t possibly pass anyway?

 

2.  What suggestions do you give him to improve his relationship with the teacher?  (Most of your friends who have her say she’s pretty cool.)

 

3.  Who could you suggest that Matt might talk to for advice?

 

4.  What do you know about teachers that might help Matt create a win-win situation in this case?

 

5.  Work up a skit within your group that shows how Matt could turn around his relationship with his teacher.  (See the answer to #4 from all group members to get some ideas.)  We will listen to all groups and pick the best skits to be presented to the big group…naturally stickers will be won!

Have fun with this and rely on your past experiences creating win-wins in writing your skits.