Class Overview based on observations and data

Use readings from the past to describe your class of students:

Taylor & Whittaker; Bridging Multiple Worlds; Delpit; Nieto; Understanding Culture Brief; Hoeksema; Petersen & Hittie; Pearson
202 book; Woolfolk Chap 2, 3, 5; Levine
I think Nieto pointed out that culture is very complex and intricate. The culture here at GRCES is very
different from public schools. The school philosophy is based on a Christian perspective. So anyone
can attend this school. Also, it provides inclusive education for students with disabilities as well.
Culture
However, it is still majority White dominant school. I have not seen many staff members who had
different race & ethnicity. The students who come to school mostly come from middle to upper-class
socioeconomic status.

Race & Ethnicity

Social SystemsPeers & Family

Moral, Spiritual, and

Faith Development

Attention & Memory

There are 20 students in the classroom; There are 2 Chinese students, 3 Black students, 1 Hispanic
student, and 14 Caucasian students. One of the Asian children is adopted from China, but she cannot
speak in Chinese. Out of the 3 Black students, one is from Kenya, another one is from Nigeria. A
Nigerian child is able to speak in Nigerian. Im not sure if Kenyan boy is able to speak in his native
language because Mrs. Snyder told me that he was born here in the States.
Students are able to take turns when conversing. I think students are in the process of practicing
raising their hands before they speak. Im not sure about how well they cooperate with each other; Ive
noticed twice how there has been some drama among girls during recess time, but none of the students
complain when they are paired up to work in class.

Since it is a Christian school, children follow the routines well for devotions and Chapel. Children are
able to sing praise music, do motions, share about their concerns, and pray during Chapel. It seems
like children are receiving adequate spiritual care from the teachers and the school. Also, I noticed
Mrs. Snyder shares her life examples to make the word of God more relevant to her students.

There is one student who has ADHD and he sits on a wobbly chair to help with his attention. I have
also noticed that there are three other students who seem to have difficulty with concentration as well.
Im not sure about the rest of the class but I have noticed that students have a harder time focusing
when they are sitting on the rug. They seemed to be more talkative and fidget with their friends.
Perhaps, their mental energy level varies throughout the day, but since Im only in the morning Im not
sure about the mental energy level.

As I have mentioned there are 2 Chinese students, 1 Hispanic student, and 3 Black students in the
classroom. I have noticed that 100% of the children are able to speak and write in English. During
writing, Mrs. Snyder was disappointed with childrens writing, but I have not had a chance to observe
students sample of writing. I think there are different levels since children go to different class during
STEP time.
Language
I have noticed that quite a bit of students struggle with spelling, but a lot of the students seem to use
correct grammar.

Motor &
Spatial/Sequential
Ordering

There are no students with physical or motor disabilities in the classroom. Students are able to use fine
motor skills for handwriting. They are able to write on lined papers. Theyve been practicing writing
in cursive and I have noticed that 90% of the students have good enough fine motor skills to write
legibly.

Higher Order Thinking

During math block, two students receive advanced math two times a week and other two students
receive assistant from another teacher. I have noticed during science class and beginning of literacy
hours that students are able to understand concepts, generate original ideas, and evaluate products,
ideas, and opinions when the whole class is sharing. Also, during math class, they are able to apply
logical approaches to solving addition, subtraction, and multiplication problems; however, not
everyone is at the same level. I have seen that some students who were very good with multiplication
problems have trouble with addition and subtraction problems. Im not sure whether they are not
motivated or they dont understand the concepts very well.

Two students receiving enriched lessons three times a week during math. Two other students leave
during math to receive assistance as well.
Ability & Disability

Create
Evaluate
Analyze
Apply
Understand
Remember