4. SCHOOL CLIMATE
AND ATMOSPHERE
a.
Diversity in the Classroom
b.
Special needs classroom (optional)
SCHOOL
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE
Diversity
in the Classroom
Visit
a classroom for half a day. Identify the diversity of ethnic and racial groups
represented as well as the students who have limited English proficiency and
those who have learning disabilities of some kind.
How
would you feel if you were assigned to teach in this classroom?
Would
you want to teach in this classroom? In this school? Why or why not?
Conduct
an informal, semi-structured interview with the teacher and/or the principal of
the school. Try to discuss how the teacher and/or principal:
·
thinks and
feels about the classroom diversity that he or she encounters
·
defines
“multicultural education” and “multicultural instruction”
REFLECTION:
How has the diversity of cultural, groups
on classrooms influenced teachers’ practices?
SCHOOL
CLIMATE AND ATMOSPHERE
Visit
a special needs classroom, making special note of the physical differences
between this classroom and the regular classroom. What resources does this
classroom have that the regular classroom doesn’t? What is this particular
classroom called, e.g., resource room, behavior disordered classroom, etc.?
Is
there a classroom where individualized instruction for mainstreamed students
with special learning needs is provided?
Does
the special needs teacher make use of learning-style data or any other type of
special information in designing effective instruction for his or her students?
How
does the special needs teacher attempt to collaborate with regular classroom
teachers? Does integration of special needs students occur? How and when?
REFLECTION:
How
has the integration of special needs students into regular classrooms affected
teaching strategies and practices?