Some may also say that because you have a reaction to an event, your body reacts to the event and causes you to be afraid. Some children may say that if you are afraid it will always show on the outside, and some may say that you can be afraid on the inside and not show it.

Do children respect who they are told to respect because they are afraid of what will happen if they are disrespectful? Is it still respect if the behavior stems from fear? The discussion will also include whether or not we can tell if someone is afraid by their appearance and actions. This discussion may lead to an interesting conversation about whether one action done out of fear is different than doing the same action out of respect. Encourage the children to discuss what they are afraid of and why, and also how they are able to overcome that fear. The questions also interrogate if respect is a right or an honor.įear is another theme in the story. Do we respect people like our teachers because we are told to, even if how we were brought up does not agree with their actions or beliefs? These questions also ask if showing respect just means doing the appropriate action or if intent must be known to determine if an action is respectful (this ties into the fear question). The discussion will bring up the issue of whether we respect someone because of their title or position. These questions help students to explore what is involved in respecting others and oneself. It can be hard to specify what respect is. As children, we are taught to respect teachers, parents, elders, school rules, family and cultural traditions, and other people’s feelings and rights. Respect is of great importance in everyday life. Respect is one of the first themes mentioned in the story. When Miss Nelson returns back to the classroom, the children are so thankful for having her back and they behave better with Miss Nelson. The students do not misbehave in the presence of the substitute. To get the children to behave, she disguises herself and comes in as a strict substitute teacher. In the story, Miss Nelson the teacher has trouble controlling her classroom. The question sets encourage children to explore: what is respect and who deserves respect? What is fear and what are we afraid of? What is it to have power and do people need power? And is it okay to deceive others?

Miss Nelson is Missing discusses many philosophical themes, which include identity, respect, fear, power, and deception. Read aloud video by Dramatic StoryTime Theater Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion She’s not able to convince the students to be better, but maybe a substitute teacher–Viola Swamp–can teach them to behave. Her students run around the room and throw spitballs.

Miss Nelson’s classroom is out of control. Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary Miss Nelson is Missing! discusses many philosophical subjects, including identity, respect, fear, power, and deception.

Miss nelson is missing by harry allard