Prompt 6

Communication in my classroom takes on many forms. The teacher as well as the student teacher use methods that reach every student. Whether it is the use of slides, or powerpoint presentations for the visual learners. Or the use of lectures for the the audio learners, using language that can be interpreted easily by all students in the grade level being taught. Both teachers also use a combination of the two in order to combine both learning styles together. Communication is also encouraged through research; each assignment involves a session research in order for the students to familiarize themselves with the topics they choose. By researching the students are in a way communicating with the past and with themselves, learning the information they find useful in a way that is efficient for them. During the seesions I have observed the classroom, I have noticed the students take very well to these methods. They are not afraid to ask questions, and the teachers also provide one on one sessions for the students if needed to discuss the assigment and methods for completion.

An example of the above: One of the most recent assignments was called Diety Masks. The students were shown a power point, and were also given a lecture about the assignment. Within the same session the students were asked to research Diety Masks from ancient tribes to gain ideas for completing their own. The mask that will be completed will be based on the culture, opinions, and values of the student. The student is practicing freedom of expression and communicating through their art.

Promt 3

When the classroom teacher is assessing a students work in my classroom, she is using a grading rubric that is developed based on the assignment that was given. The assignments is these classes are based on the the specific class that is being taught. My teacher teaches art levels 2 and 4, and digital media. Each class is designed for the students to seek within themselves and within their culture to determine the motivation and ideas for their work. For example in the level 4 class the theme is: Time, Spirituality, Structure, and Power. The class focuses on Art and it's function in society based on ethnicity, culture, and diversity. Each student is encouraged to put their personal stamp on their projects in order to express their individuality. The teacher pays special attention to the topics that are being raised in the students work, and the meaning that is behind it. Students are also required to write reflections about their work to explain the meaning behind it, and how the materials that were used help to bring the art work and personal meaning to life. The teacher grades based on effort and work quality, urging the students to provide the best quality possible in their works as they are working from the heart. She encourages diversity in the classroom, and embraces all that is brought to the drawing board.

Prompt 1

The school that I am volunteering in, is in a very active area in Providence. This area is thriving with the day to day business of students and business people alike. The school is very large, the structure itself is old but strong. The class rooms bookcases and cupboards built into the walls which is a nice touch that no longer exists in newer schools. The teachers have the ability to paint and re-finish their class rooms in any way that they see fit to create the learning environment that they are seeking for their students. The school to me feels over crowded; as I was walking through the halls in between classes there also seems to be a feeling of dis-respect among the students. I over heard many curse words and negative sayings from the students as teachers were standing close by, and nothing was said to discourage the behavior. In a way this setting reminded me of the movie Lean on Me, without the violence.

The classroom that I am in is very eye catching, the colors and the art work that are on the walls creating a very inviting and mesmerizing environment for students to learn and freely express themselves through their work. The students are very focused on the task at hand, and seem to have a sense of pride in the work they are doing. The teacher seems to be very good at recognizing abilities in the students, and working with those abilities to produce great work. She is very down to earth, and creates an environment in which her students feel at ease, and know they can ask for help if needed. Technology is used very frequently in the classrooms at this school, the class that I am working in is a Digital Media class. The students are using Mac Books to produce their art, which I find very interesting. Not only are the students learning graphic design and video making, they are also learning much needed computer skills that will stay extremely useful to them as time passes.

Diversity, freedom of expression, and technology are the three things that I see to be valued at this school thus far. Students are given many opportunities within the schools walls to advance in these areas in ways that I don't believe that many of them have outside of school. In the class room the students are very polite and eager to learn and help each other, which was not what I expected from such a diverse group of students.

The student body is almost spilt evenly between males and females, 46.3% vs. 53.7%. Of these percentages 51.7% are Hispanic, while only 1.1% are Native American. Falling within these percentages are Asian at 6.3%, Black at 29.8%, and White at 11.1%. 87.2% of the student body receives either free or reduced lunch. Behavior within the school is fairly good, with the majoruty of incidents being related to attendance. The overall graducation rate for the school is 61%, showing a fair retention rate. This information was provided by the Providence Public Schools web site.