Learner Analysis Part 2

The student I have been following has made some major gains in verbal language since I last posted. It seems that he can read and knows number names from 0-20 and knows all major color words except for black and white. He knows the days of the week and can count to 20 starting at almost any number. This student has Autism and does not like to sit down for any significant length of time. Most of our lessons are either walking with him or asking one or two questions letting him run around the room and have him come back and answering another two questions and repeating that process.  So the student doesn't have any written work, drawings or even basic coloring.  Doing these activities is not stimulating enough so it is a battle to try to have him do anything like these activities. 

This is the book I was referring to in my Field Notes on September 30th.  We also have a similar book that has colors that this student loves to use.

Since the student is not capable of expressing his thoughts or feelings, I tried to get an interview with the student's parents to learn more about the students home life. His parents are Spanish speaking only so I talked to the school interpreter and we called the parents.  The interpreter explained to the parents my hopes for an interview but unfortunately the parents said no to any interviews.  

I have also found it hard to find time to interview the teacher. The teacher does not get any plan time during the day like other teachers at the school and before and after school on Wednesdays and Thursdays she has IEP meetings.  I am still trying to schedule a time to meet with her to discuss this student and her knowledge and feelings of him as a student.

Learner Analysis Part 1

For this project we are asked to analyze a student from our schools and I have gathered some information regarding one of my students.

Gender: Male

Age: 6 years old

Grade: Kindergarten

The student’s feelings toward school are excitement. He loves to come to school and hates to leave. He typically enjoys playing by himself. His former school had labeled him as nonverbal but as of this year his teachers have noticed him speaking and singing, and will respond with one or two word answers when teachers ask questions. This student is an ELL and both parents are originally from Mexico.  The family speaks Spanish in the home and they need an interpreter for IEP meetings.   I choose this student because my Clinical Teacher has given me the opportunity to assist in preparing some of his documents for his annual IEP review. He has autism but in the last few years of school has made big gains.

I am student teaching on Wednesdays and Thursdays. I am gathering information about this particular student in his classroom, at specials, at lunch, and on the playground.  I will be in the role of co-teacher and I think that the student may see me as an enforcer of rules but also a caring teacher.  I think the setting influences my perspective of the student because I see them in the school setting only. I won’t get to see him at home and interacting with his siblings and parents in a comfortable home environment. 79% of the school population identify as Hispanic. There are approximately 350 students at Adventure Elementary and 22 full time teachers. 77% of the school students are eligible for free Lunch and 11% are eligible for reduced lunch.

The following is a link to a video showing my school. It talks about the school values and shows what some of the classrooms look like. Please feel free to take a look and even look at the schools in Mapleton School District as well.
Mapleton Public Schools - Adventure Elementary (PK-6) from Loclyz Complete Media Services on Vimeo.

  

Intro

My name is Brittany Kelly.

I am placed at Adventure Elementary in Mapleton School District.

I will be at the school two times a week.