UNIVERSITY OF PUERTO RICO AT HUMACAO ENGLISH DEPARTMENT Humacao, P.R. ______________________________________________________________________ EDPE-4006
Group Profile
Melanie Quintana Torres EDPE 4006 Dr. Maritza Reyes
Since the first day of observations, one could perceive that the group 10-4 of Mrs. Ortiz was very diverse and it would be lovely to work with them. Luckily that’s my practice teaching group. The group is very talkative, but the way I see it, being a talkative group it’s an advantage. Group participation in that group is never a problem. Even if the students don’t know the answer they try to work things out. Or at least that’s what I’ve observed in my first week in practice. The school’s name is Escuela Superior Tecnologica Manuel Mediavilla Negron and like the name suggest it’s a vocational school. The school plays a major role in the kids’ lives. It plays a major role because the school prepares its students to acquire the necessary skills for their work in the future. Hence, it’s not a normal curriculum therefore the ambience is different. Collecting the group profile questionnaire was easy. I handed the students the paper and after they finished their classroom work they answered it. A few of the students had doubts about some questions but, after I clarified their doubts everything ran smoothly. The students seem eager to answer the questionnaire with almost no complains. Something unusual in my group is that I have a blind girl and I had to fill her questionnaire based on her answers. But, I loved the experience and opportunity. I believe that this will be the perfect group for me. Since the first day I saw them and met them I fell in love with them. The group has so much personality that it contagious and so energizing. I cannot wait to start working with them and to read what they answered in the questionnaire. I know I will have fun reading their answers.
I started the questionnaire with basics questions like gender. This group is ruled by boys. Even though there are more boys than girls the teacher has excellent group control and the boys know how to behave. I expect the same behavior from them so based on what I have observed from my cooperating teacher I will use her techniques of classroom management. I have to admit that having a group that’s ruled out by boys it’s a little scary. Usually the boys are the hardest to deal with, especially if they don’t like the English class. But, by learning techniques and gaining their trust I’m sure I will be successful.
Sex 48% Female
52%
Male
The age difference in this group is not much. Only one student is fourteen years old. The others are fifteen and sixteen; basically they have the same age. In terms of classroom discipline this could be a little difficult because at this age children are difficult, but, the key is classroom management. In terms of learning almost every child supposedly has the same mentality hence learning should take place easily. Students at this age need to relate to each other and understand that sometimes is not the end of the world and there are others that are going thru the same thing as they. That’s why having students the same age is so important. Also, maturity takes a big role in a classroom, if they all have the same level of maturity it’s easier to deal with them.
Age 20 15 14 10
15
5
16
0 14
15
16
Based on my findings the majority of the students were born in Humacao. Only one was born in the city of Caguas. The majority were born indeed in Puerto Rico only one was born in the U.S, in Connecticut. The one student that was born in the U.S is no problem because he has spent the majority of his life in Puerto Rico therefore adaptation is no problem with him. Academically speaking the student who was born in the United States can be more eloquent speaking English than the others but, as a teacher one has to be prepared to diversity in the classroom. The other three students that lived in the United States only stayed there for a little while. Later on I found out that one of them “lived” in the U.S.A for only two months. He went there for the summer vacation with a family member and that’s why he considered that he lived in the United States. The other two lived there when they were little, one of them until he was 7 and the other until he was 5. Both of these students are more eloquent in the language than the others in the group. I guess that the short time they live there really helped them. Diversity will always be present in a classroom and having a few students that nominates the language can benefit me as a teacher and can benefit their classmates.
Where were you born?
Caguas 9%
Conneticut 5%
Humacao 86%
Based on the fact that the Mediavilla High School is the only specialized vocational school in the East rural area, the students can vary a little. My research shows that almost every student lives in Humacao or in cities nearby, for example; Las Piedras, Naguabo and Yabucoa. But still, the foremost majority is from Humacao specifically nearby places. This is an advantage because they may know each other’s and can help with emergencies or when students cut class.
Where do you live? 20 Naguabo
15 15
10 5
Humacao Yabucoa
3
4
4
Yabucoa
Las Piedras
0 Naguabo
Humacao
Las Piedras
Based on my findings there was not much diversity in this question. Almost every student has not lived outside of Puerto Rico. The few that did live outside of Puerto Rico either were born in the U.S or were there only a brief period of time. In terms of his exposure to the language he may be more eloquently speaking English than the others but, like I mentioned before that can be beneficial for me as a teacher. Having a student that knows the language is always good because as a teacher you have to challenge yourself and the students. Plus, he can always help the others.
Have you live outside Puerto Rico? Yes 16%
No 84%
The four students that lived in the U.S lived in totally different places. The places were Ohio, New York, Buffalo and Connecticut. The student that was born in Connecticut only lived there for a year; he then came to live in Puerto Rico with his family. Two of the others lived there until one was 5 (the one who lived in New York), and the one who live in Buffalo stayed there until he was 7. I already mentioned that the one that filled the form and said that lived in Ohio only went there for a summer vacation. The four places these students went have different locations one are cities others are more rural. In terms of English the way of speaking in New York is very different from the one in Ohio. This could be interesting to see in terms of accents. But, we all have accents and variety is a big part of life.
Where? Ohio
New York
Buffalo
Connecticut
25%
25%
25% 25%
In Puerto Rico we all have big families. My research confirmed this. Only 2 students have families of 2, 6 students have families of 3. The foremost majority have families of more than 5 people. 11 students live with a nucleus of 4 and 6 have 5 or more meaning that the majority live with 3 others in their houses. The only way I see that having too many people live in their house is economically speaking. For example if I ask them to bring a project or something specifically can be a challenge. Many of their parents don’t work and with many people living in their homes money may be tight. That’s why I’m planning on bringing everything myself and don’t give too much difficult projects in which they might spend money. But, other than that growing in a big family is a good thing, there’s much love in a full house.
How many members of your family live in your house? How many members of your family live in your house? 11 6 0 1
6
2 2
3
4
5 or more
It is very good to know and to realize that more than half of my students live with both parents. Puerto Rico has a high rate of divorces and it feels so good to know that my students have both of their parents influencing them and raising them. Even though the majority of the students live with both of their parents, the ones that doesn’t can be in a disadvantage. From example I have a boy that lives only with her mom and clearly he has father issues. He has a rebel attitude and this can affect him in the English class, in his other classes, and in my group. He misbehaves and gives me a hard time with the other students, it’s a shame because I know his a good boy and he is so smart. It frustrates me so much the fact that he is throwing everything a way for a father that doesn’t care about him as much as the boy would like. Sometimes having these students can be a real challenge and even more if they’re a minority in the class. They can feel like nobody understand them and parents play a major role in this kids. Basically 61% live with both mom and dad, and 61% feels like almost a 100%. 26% lives with only their mom a 9% lives with only their dad and 4% live with other relatives. The majority of
my group lives with both parents and their mom, the one that live with others or their dad is very little. There’s not much variation with this question in my group. Other 4%
With whom do you live? Dad 9% Mom 26%
Both Mom and Dad 61%
I was very exciting to realize that many of my students watch satellite T.V. something as little as watching T.V can influence a lot their English. 15 of them watch satellite T.V versus 9 who doesn’t. If they watch a lot of satellite T.V they are exposing themselves to English. That brings me a lot of joy. Even if they don’t realize it by watching television in English they are learning. They are learning vocabulary, and they are exposing themselves to the language. This can be very helpful in class in terms of their functioning in English I simply ask them to watch a movie or a T.V show in English and summarize it and I know they would not mind doing it. This can have a lot of advantages in my class.
T.V Programming T.V Programming 15
9
Satellite
Local
Taste in sports varies a lot, especially in boys. My research showed me that the main majority of boys played all kind of sports like basketball, baseball, kick Boxing versus girls that only played volleyball. It is good to know though that they exercise and play. Sports always helps in a classroom especially in companionship and group work. These are the sort of things that are beneficial in sports and that I can take a lot of advantages in my classroom. If they are learning companionship and group work in other places outside their house and schools, when it comes time to do it in school the students will function better. Many people don’t believe how beneficial sports can be to children it teaches them obedience and to have tolerance towards others. All of these qualities in students come very handy in a classroom, especially in big groups where there are so many different kids.
Favorite Sport? Basketball
Voleyball
Hockey
Kick Boxing
Basebal
None
5%
5%
4% 45% 41%
Many schools have libraries and the students won’t even go near them. This is not the case of my group. 58% of my students visit the Library versus and 42% that doesn't. I love that my group is very diverse and different. It makes me very happy that the take school and reading seriously. The library can be used for many different things to change the dynamics of a class. A class can get boring and by bringing my students to the library the students will change the so dreaded routines. Students need to feel special and different and by something so simple as giving a class in the library or doing a workshop there, the students will love to do something different. Also, by making them copies and worksheets and having that resource can be very beneficial.
Do you use the School library? No 42% Yes 58%
Technology is taking over everything. Many people can't function without it, especially this new generation. That's why I wasn't impressed when all my students or a big majority had computers and internet in their homes. 79% have computer in their houses and 23 students out of the 24 have internet in their homes. Only 21% have no computers at home and 1 person has no internet. This is an advantage for my group in terms of homework and special projects. It is important to mention that the ones that did not have computer mentioned that they had cellphones with internet. I can ask them to search for info and bring it to class so they have a background on what we are learning. I can ask them to make a messenger or something to keep in touch and remind them of the assignments. Keeping in touch with them I believe is the most important thing. Many of them leave the school and forget everything by having a reminder of things they don’t have an excuse to bring the material or to study. Also, having technology is best for the special assignment for example they can look for info and pictures. They can type the written reports and that’s a really big help for us teachers, especially if the students have bad orthography. Many many good things can come from technology.
Do you have a computer at home? No 21%
Yes 79%
Do you have internet at home? 25 20 15 10 5 0 Yes
No Do you have internet at home?
Because my school is a Vocational School that specializes in special workshops is not a surprise with the results. 62% when asked which class was their favorite answered their workshop. The others answered with classes like English with a 13%, Spanish with an 8% and history with a 17%. For the English class this can be a real challenge. The minority of them doesn’t like English, they don’t understand it. These students see the academic courses as something mandatory, and this is a real problem. They are in the school because of the workshops and because they can fail up to two classes and still they pass the grade, English is not a priority for them. What can be done with these students is to integrate things from their workshop in the English class. For example curious data from the different workshops in English, take them to the workshops and health clinics (in the case of the nursing workshop). The key is to integrate their workshops as much as I can. English 13%
Best Class? Spanish 8% History 17%
Workshop 62%
It’s a little sad to know that their least favorite class is English. That means that I need to be very patient and enamor my student with the English class. It is really surprising based that almost every workshop they take really need English in the future and it’s sad knowing that they don’t appreciate this. And like I mentioned before I have to integrate their workshops into my class as much as I can.
Worst Class?
Science 10% Spanish 10% History 9%
Physics 38%
English 33%
As shown in the graphic below these students see a future in themselves. Each one of their careers is different but it’s so good that they want to keep studying and don’t want to comfort themselves with the workshops of their schools. I see this as an opportunity to keep motivating them for a brighter future. By showing them they life outside the school and the different opportunities they have is a way of motivating them. I believe that by mentioning them to keep studying and by enamoring them with the university life and the different programs is a way to encourage them to continue with their studies. Also, by stating them that they need to have a profession of their own and stop living of the government is a way to motivate them to have a future career.
What would you like to study in the future? What would you like to study in the future? 6
5 3 1
1
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
Each student is different hence their hobbies. I love the fact that I have a group with personality and diversity. This motivates me to challenge my students and to keep challenging me. By integrating their hobbies for example; reading in my clas, my classroom dynamic can change a lot. Also, music is a way to enamor and gain my students. Even video games I know that by sports I cannot win over the boys but by talking about videos games I know I will. There are so many things I can bring to class that I know they will like. For example; music, dancing, T.V programs, texting etc. I know all of these things will make my lessons different.
Hobbies 6 5 4 3 2 1 0
Hobbies
75% of my students go to church. It is good to know that their parents take the time for this and that they show their children values which is so lost in the Puerto Rican culture. Having my students know the bible and what is the difference between good and evil can change a lot the atmosphere in my class. It may sound strong but having students known the fear of God and what’s good and evil is a good thing. Having students with manners and shame is something all teachers should have. I believe that having kids that know about God is really good. Also, it makes me very happy that my parents are involved so much in my students’ life.
Do you go to church? No 25%
Yes 75%
There’s a 50/50 percentage of my students that wears glasses, this is important to know because of seating arrangements and to be aware when they don’t bring their glasses to class.
Do you use glasses? Yes
50%
No
50%
I believe that parents play a big role in their child’s life, especially in the kid’s school. I’m very happy with the results of these two questions. The majority of the parents in my class participate in my children’s activities and homework. I believe this is the most important tool to work with my kids. Having parents that really cares for their kids’ education is really important and beneficial. I know I can count on these parents if their children are failing or misbehaving. Having pro-active parents that take action when a students does wrong is the most important thing for a teacher. Having parents that don’t care and don’t go to school when called is difficult to deal with because if the parents don’t take the school seriously how can I ask the same from their children.
Your parents assist regularly to school activities? Your parents assist regularly to school activities? 21 3 Yes
No
Does your parents help you with Homework? No 14%
Yes 86%
I’m so very glad with these last results, I love the fact that my young adults love to read. The fact that my students love to read open up the possibilities of a whole new classroom dynamic. I’m looking forward to work with these kids. I can integrate reading to class and I will not hear complaints from them. Reading and students should go hand in hand, I know by their answers that at least I will not have trouble assigning reading in class. For those who don’t like to read because the majority of them do like it they will have to read too. And maybe by giving them really good readings I’m hoping I can enamor one or two of them into the magically life of reading.
Do you like to read?
No 46%
Yes 54%
Reflection: The group profile is very handy for a Practice Teaching Student. It takes a lot of time doing it. It has a lot of specifications beginning with the formulation of questions, dealing with the students so they can finish it and the most tedious part is organize the info and put it into charts. I believe that we should have more time to analyze this information. It is supposed to be handed in so fast that the core point of the project gets lost in the process, getting to know the students better. I really do believe that getting to know the students is important but by doing it this way it’s get complicated and too technical. Even though all the work, one does really enjoy reading their answers. One by one you get to create this profile in your head with each student. And by something as little as an answer to a question you understand why they act the way they do. I believe that an interview with each student should be better and/or added to the project. A short 5 minute talk alone with each and one of them is a really good idea to get to know them a little better.