Context for Learning Description of Schools and Students

The most experience I have as of right now is subbing for a couple of school districts. So I picked one school I have been at and tried to answer as many of the questions as possible. 

About the School Where You Are Observing or doing Field Experience

School Name and City: John L. Sipley - Woodridge, IL

Type of School: Elementary school  

Setting: Suburban

Write your responses to the three questions below in paragraph form.

1.    List any special features of the school or classroom setting (e.g., themed magnet, classroom aide, bilingual, co-taught with a special education teacher, pull-out program). I have noticed that there is a lot of co-teaching that takes place. A couple of the classes switch with other classes (ie: the two fourth grade classes switch for 2 hours in the afternoon).

2.    Describe any district, school, or cooperating teacher requirements or expectations that affects the planning or delivery of instruction, such as required curricula, pacing plan, use of specific instructional strategies, or standardized tests.

3.    For special education only: List any educators with specialized expertise in the school/district (e.g., specific disabilities, subject-specific pedagogy, English language development, speech therapists).

About the Students in this Class [Give a brief or one word response]

1.    Estimated percentage of students eligible for free/reduced lunch: 47%

2.    Grade level(s): Pre K - 6

3.    Number of

a.    students in the class: about 24

b.    males: 51%

females: 49%

c.    English language learners: 66

d.    students identified as gifted and talented: not listed, but I do know they have a program for gifted students

e.    students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) or 504 plans: IEPs - 68

4.    Complete the chart below to summarize required accommodations or modifications for students receiving special education services and/or students who are gifted and talented as they will affect instruction. As needed, consult with your cooperating teacher to complete the chart. The first row has been completed in italics as an example. Use as many rows as you need.

Special Education Category	Number of Students	Accommodations, Modifications, and/or Pertinent IEP Goals
Example: Learning Disability	Example: 4	Example: Close monitoring, follow up, and Resource Room

About the Class You Observed

1.    How much time is devoted each day to instruction in the classroom? Describe the class periods (if applicable)? Choose a content area of your specialty or major. How much time is devoted to teaching that subject?

2.    Is there any ability grouping or tracking? If so, please describe how it affects your class.

3.    Identify any textbook or instructional program you primarily use for instruction. If a textbook, please provide the title, publisher, and date of publication.

4.    List other resources (e.g., SMARTBoard, manipulatives, online resources) used for instruction in this class. I have seen the students use SMARTBoards, Google Classroom, CNN 10, and Seesaw

5. What do you know about what your students know, what can they do, and what are they learning to do? What do you know about your students’ everyday experiences, cultural backgrounds and practices, and interests?

  

6. Describe one teaching event. What best practices in teaching were used?