Angel Huertas 842-01-3477 February 12, 2015 Group Profile Report
Tabulating surveys aren't much fun, especially when there's 20 premises one must tabulate. However, the process of intentionally obtaining specific information from them was another story. I did enjoy reading them because it was a gateway to their respective worlds.
The group I'm currently working with is a small group (in contrast to the rest). I try to be appreciative of this as much as possible, considering how much bigger the other groups are. Nevertheless, anything larger than 7 students is an uphill challenge. That is if you want to be able to effectively engage with each and every one of them. Having a system that crowds classroom with 15+ number of students is reflective of the factory-like mass production systems we can see with big companies that colorfully fill the panoramic view all around us.
This group just like the other groups is filled with exceptional kids. Each and everyone of them is exceptional. I know this sounds cheesy, but I hold this to be true with great strength. At this age, 7th graders are going through, probably the most drastic transition in their life. A rug is being pulled from beneath the, & no one can fully prepare them for this. They then deal with this the best way they can. Unto that you add the “colorful” scenarios they encounter at home. These kids are valiant in the whole expansive meaning of the word.
When I enter the classroom I encounter kids that are eager to be heard. Some communicate it in “civil”
manner, and others in more “disruptive” ways. One has to try be insightful to see beyond that shallow layer of “misbehaviour”, learn to unlearn and better read the situation.
The process of asking them questions like:
-Age -Birthdate -Town of Residence -Amount of siblings -Living with one or two parents -If they've traveled outside PR -What type of movies/series/videogames they like -Sports they practice -Amount of cars owned by family -Favorite restaurants/food -Parents employment
These are some of the questions I asked. I really wanted to enter their world. Getting their perspective as best I could was the thing I was after. This would better help me engage with them in class. Knowing what they like does give some perspective from a piece of paper. However, a piece of paper can only get you so far. Life is a process. There's no magic wand, nor shortcuts. We make the road by walking. Everyday I have to try and find a way to engage with them. The classroom, the hallway, the playground, this is where I live the questionnaire. Yet, it isn't as robotic or automatic as one might deem it to be. Legitimacy & a spirit of “genuinity” are key components in the process. Why would you want to get to know someone who you care not to know? This could be such a problem, and the
students might be able to see through this gimmick. Education without context is no education at all. It might be a lovely sermon, preaching, monologue, but it is not education. I now have a bit of a peek into the world these kids engage in, and I'm only 10% in their world. I will continually engage and reengage with them, try and walk in their shoes- to better understand them.
A good portion of them, have plenty of common ground. Not the common ground I would have idealized for kids their age, but as my fiancé says, “es lo que hay”. A good half of them like playing shooting/violent video games. The same goes with the type of movies they watch. These certain activities they engage in, certainly makes them grow up faster. Now, when I say grow up, I don't mean they are actually receiving the proper “nutrition” they need to healthily transition into young adulthood. So based on this intake of information I have gathered, I have to bring forth relevant examples that don't necessarily cater to violent/fighting traits, but perhaps that of action, suspense, & mystery solving nature. Knowing what they like doesn't legitimate those things, but it should give you a transformative perspective. This is the role of the teacher. This is what he or should be doing. He or she, should transform all the information acquired via questionnaire & throughout each day.
Group Profile Survey Grade: 7th Section: 03 January 22, 2015 Answer the following questions to the best of your abilities & if none of the answers apply, there'll be a space provided for you to answer accordingly. 1- Write your full name. 2- How old are you & when were you born? 3- What town do you live in? 4- Do you live in the city or the country side? 5-How many brothers or sisters do you have? 6-How many siblings live with you? 7-Are both your parents alive? 8-Do both parents live with you? If No, answer who you live with. 9-What is your favorite Restaurant/Fast Food? 10-Do you practice sports? If so, which one do you practice most? 11-Do you own a gaming system? If so, which one? (Ex. PS3, PS4, XBOX, XBOX One etc) 12-Which video games do you like to play: a)Sports c)Shooting b)RPG d)Fighting 13-Name at least 3 of your favorite video games. 14-Have you ever traveled outside of Puerto Rico? If so, where have you traveled to? 15-How many cars does your family own? 16-Name at least 3 tv shows you enjoy watching. 17-Name at least 3 of your favorite movies. 18-Do you like animals? Which you like best? 19-Do you own any animals? Which animals? 20-What is your favorite food to eat? 21-What profession would you like to practice when you grow up? 22-What are your hobbies? 23-What do your parents(or caretakers) do for work? 24-What is your favorite store to shop in?
25-Who is your hero?
ANGEL HUERTAS Group Profile PRACTICE OBSERVER MARITZA REYES MAY/NINETEEN/TWO-THOUSAND FIFTEEN.