Pic 0: The screen transitions to one with Ms. Dixon standing in a classroom in front of a chalkboard.
Ms. Dixon: The state wide exam is next week. These are some tricky questions, and I want you all to be prepared. So, let's take a look at the questions in your book.
Pic 1: The visual changes to one facing the students sitting at their lab tables.
Ms. Dixon: Uh, Gabriel, I don't think we've had you read yet. Why don't you read the first one?
Pic 2: The screen zooms in on a small portion of the classroom. A young brown skinned boy sits at the first table, and a girl with light skin sits behind him.
Gabriel: Yeah.
Victoria: Oh, you don't want to call on him, Ms. D. He's from Brook Central. They're not known for their reading skills. I'll read it and save him the embarrassment.
Pic 3: Gabriel looks down and hunches over self consciously when Victoria speaks.
Pic 4: The screen returns to the wider view of the classroom. At the bottom of the screen is a grey meter labeled “engagement.” It is tracking the engagement of Ms. Dixon’s class. It is currently one third filled.
Coach: Ms. Dixon decides to set limits by choosing the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Victoria, that kind of talk is not acceptable.
Victoria: What kind of talk? I'm just telling the truth.
Ms. Dixon: We've all agreed not to use any biased language in this community.
Pic 5: The screen zooms in on Victoria, who narrows her eyes.
Victoria: I’m not using any “biased language!” I’m just saying he’s from Crook Central, and everybody knows what people from there are like.
Pic 6: The screen returns to the wider view of the classroom.
Gabriel’s thought: Thank you, Ms. D! I was hoping you would say something.
Pic 7: The screen zooms on another student, Sylvia, a medium light skinned girl.
Sylvia’s thought: I used to live right next to Brook Central. I sure hope Victoria never finds out.
Pic 8: The screen returns to the wider view of the classroom. The engagement meter turns green and is filled halfway.
Coach: This was short, clear, and direct. Addressing biased statements doesn't always require a detailed lecture. Even if Victoria doesn't seem affected, Ms. Dixon’s words reach more than just her. The class as a whole is hearing that biased language is unacceptable and won't be overlooked.
Ms. Dixon decides to state classroom rules and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: Would someone please remind us about the community agreements we made at the beginning of the year? Sylvia. Will you read number 3? How do we treat people in this classroom?
Pic 8: The screen zooms in on Sylvia again.
Sylvia: We treat all people with kindness and respect.
Pic 9: The screen returns to the wider view.
Ms. Dixon: That’s right, Sylvia. Thank you.
We are all part of this community, and it's everyone's responsibility to help make it a safe place for all of us to learn.
Pic 10: The screen zooms in on Gabriel and Victoria. Victoria looks angry, and after a second raises a hand to whisper to Gabriel. Gabriel shrinks and looks uncomfortable.
Victoria: Okay, fine. Sorry. (muttered) Crook Central looks like he's going to cry.
Pic 11: The screen returns to the wider view. The engagement meter increases to be two thirds filled.
Gabriel’s thought: I’m just not going to look at her. Looking’s only going to make it worse.
Sylvia’s thought: What’s Victoria doing? We all agreed to be nice.
Coach: Ms. Dixon decides to give a warning and chooses the following dialogue option:
Ms. Dixon: If you have any more trouble following the rules, you and I can discuss it after class.
Victoria: I said I was sorry.
Ms. Dixon: All right. Now, let’s continue.
Victoria, what do you think the correct answer is?
Victoria: B, right? Answer’s always B.
Ms. Dixon: Anyone else? C. The reason you might not want a drain in a lab safety shower is that hazardous chemicals could enter the sewer.
Victoria: Ever heard of a shower, Gabriel? Doesn't smell like you have.
Sylvia: Victoria, lay off him already.
Ms. Dixon: Thank you, Sylvia. Now look, this is everyone's responsibility in this class. If you see someone mistreating one of your classmates, speak up, show that you support them, or come and tell me if I wasn't around.
Gabriel, let’s give a try on question two.
Gabriel: (takes a deep breath) True or false, the elements on the periodic table are arranged in order of their atomic number.
Coach: Ms. Dixon successfully navigated that tough situation. Ms. Dixon made sure she responded to Victoria's biased statement with the consequences outlined in her school's code of conduct. Let's take a look at the Dashboard for feedback on the choices she made.