An Interview with My Student's Classroom TeacherI chose to interview Paris*' classroom teacher, Mrs. J*. Mrs. J spends about 35 hours a week with my student and can provide the most insight and comprehensive view of her skills, preferences and learning. I asked Paris' classroom teacher the following questions: 1. What subject is point of struggle for the student? 2. What subject does the student show growth in? Or interest? 3. What is the student’s reading level? 4. What P.R.I.D.E. time (RtI) group does the student belong to? 5. What other interventions are in place? 6 Is the student receiving (have received) any accommodations (to complete tasks)? 7. How does the student behave? (During class, lunch, specials) 8. Are the parents involved? 9. Does the student work well with others/peers? 10. What have you noticed about her preferred learning conditions? From the interview, I was able to gain insight I am not exposed to from my once/week time in the classroom. Paris is an above-level kindergartner who has perfectionist tendencies. Paris will shut down when she is frustrated or unable to complete a task to the highest standard. Kindergartners are expected to be reading at a level 6 by the end of the year, but she has surpassed expectations and is reading at a level 8. She is in the high-level enrichment intervention group. She enjoys reading and writing. Paris is very well-behaved and benefits from the structured environment Mrs. J creates in her classroom. She is generally on-task, but requires occasional redirection. Paris frequently needs reminded to be patient or kind to her peers, as she will laugh when she thinks they have done something dumb. Paris has even laughed when others are wrong. Paris can work well with others, depending on the peer she is paired with. She can be a great leader when she is in the mood, but needs to work on encouraging others. Paris' Mother is present at breakfast events for moms and chaperon's field trips. Paris lives with her Mother and Father. The student has older siblings, but they are high school and college-aged. Oddly, Paris does not complete her homework. However, Mrs. J does not push the subject since Paris is exceeding academic expectations. Mrs. J remarks that Paris is an independent learner who is intrapersonal and very linguistic. I believe Paris' homework is not challenging enough and the student would benefit with an individualized homework plan that offers multisensory learning and enrichment. I wonder how homework that benefits unique learning styles and preferences, with consideration for academic level, could improve achievement and motivation. This interview has led me to consider homework as a source for differentiation and enrichment for above-level Elementary students. I need to gather Paris' homework assignments and look for completion of any, or consider what she does not find interest in doing. Further interviews with the student to investigate her interests for further research, technology preferences/access and preferred homework schedule will further my inquiry. I also interviewed Mrs. J on a below level and on level learner, to gain data for comparison to learners of other levels. Overall, this interview offered insight to Paris' behavior in school and provoked my curiosity for the possibilities of homework to promote learning and improve student's attitudes toward school. (*= Pseudonym) Interview Notes:
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Categories
All
Archives
March 2017
|