Is this necessary?

Question

I'm the teacher of a high school chemistry class; one day, I found a student of mine reading a book in class that was turned open to a chapter about making bombs. Should I worry about this?

Answer 1

I am a parent and a teacher.  I have learned that is best to ware on the side of caution.  Yes, tell his/her parents - they can decide if it is a problem.  Inform the principal and counselor because they might know of a problem you are unaware of.  I personally couldn't handle it if something happened and I just laughed it off.  Weirder things happen these days.  Good luck.

Answer 2

How would you feel if you overreacted and reported him to the office, when it was really nothing to worry about?  Now think about how you would feel if you underreacted, ignored the problem, and something happened.  

Refer him to the counseling office, or whatever your school's procedure is.  It could be one of those curiosity things, but in this day and age, you don't want to take any chances.

Answer 3

My suggestion would be to send a hand-written note home directly to the parents, but also inform them not to yell or even mention they got the letter. If he finds out that you've written a letter, then your student will be more cautious and secretive if he's actually making a bomb.

Answer 4

Ummm.

I hate to stereotype.

But if she looks like the type that is self destructive, angry,etc.

Then you should probabl;y talk to the school's counselor and ask about it.  and then go from there. But if he/she is a good kid that just enjoys learning or is the curious type, I wouldn't worry TOO much about it.

I'm in the 10th grade, and I know I read as many books as I can get my hands onto, on a very wide variety of subjects. including bombs.. Just to better educate myself.