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1.  Specific Context of the Teaching/Learning Situation

 

     How many students are in the class?  Is the course primary, secondary, undergraduate, or graduate level?  How long and frequent are the  

     class meetings?  How will the course be delivered: live, online, blended, flipped or in a classroom or lab?  What physical elements of the 

     learning environment will affect the class? What technology, networking and access issues will affect the class?

 

• There is a total of 180 students in all6th grade Science classes.

• There are only 2 teachers and each one has a total of 90 students during the day.

• Each teacher has a total of 7 classes during the day and each class meet for 48 minutes.

• The class setting consists of tables with 4 students assigned to each table.

• The labs are conducted in the same classroom.

• The teachers are following a blended learning model.

• There is a technology device that each student can use during the class.They have a choice of an iPad, laptop or desktop.They are also allowed to check out a tablet to take home to use for their personalized lessons if they have any.

 

2.  General Context of the Learning Situation

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     What learning expectations are placed on this course or curriculum by: the school, district, university, college and/or department?  the 

     profession?  society? 

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• Students will study and comprehend the 6th grade Science Texas TEKS.

• At least 75% of the students should pass the end of the year assessments.

• At the beginning of the school year, all students were placed in ability groups according to their 5th grade state test scores.Therefore, at the end of the year, all students should be able to move up to a higher group.

 

3.  Nature of the Subject

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     Is this subject primarily theoretical, practical, or a combination?  Is the subject primarily convergent or divergent?  Are there important

     changes or controversies occurring within the field?

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• This subject is a combination of both.Teachers usually start lessons through lecture type which might include videos.Then, they put the practice in place through lab experiments and hands-on activities.

• This subject I mostly convergent, due to the fact, that majority of the lessons and activities involve following instruction and solving problems.

• Students do divergent thinking in certain activities especially when they have to develop a project for their annual Science Fair.

• There has not been changes or controversies that affect this grade level.

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4.  Characteristics of the Learners

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     What is the life situation of the learners (e.g., socio-economic, cultural, personal, family, professional goals)?  What prior knowledge, 

     experiences, and initial feelings do students usually have about this subject?  What are their learning goals and expectations?

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• Of the 180 students, 99% are Hispanic, 10% are Bilingual and 80% are of low socio-economic status.

• Majority of the students are 12 years.

• Many of the students come from a home setting where their parents speak only Spanish and are single parents.

• Their prior knowledge in Science is limited for various reasons.Some of the students come from campuses that had limited lab experiences.

• Majority of girls do not like Science because they feel that they will not need it in their future.College is not in their plans because very few of the parents attended college.The majority of the parents are labor workers.

                                                                                                     

5.  Characteristics of the Teacher

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     What beliefs and values does the teacher have about teaching and learning?  What is his/her attitude toward:  the subject? students?   

     What level of knowledge or familiarity does s/he have with this subject?  What are his/her strengths in teaching?

 

• Even though the teachers have great interest in all students succeeding, it is hard for them to teach in the crowded classroom.Some of the classes have too many students with a combination of regular, Bilingual and Special Ed students.

• Sometimes it is hard for them to assist all these different groups with their required modifications.This does no justice to these students.

• Sometimes their moral is low because they feel that if there could be one more teacher in their grade level, they could be more successful.

• They have concerns about how the parents will feel at the end of the year if their son/daughter fails because there was not enough assistance.

• The teachers are certified in their subject but do not receive enough trainings each year.

• Even though, the districts around theirs receive an annual Science stipend and they do not, they continue to strive for all students to succeed.

• The teachers’ strengths are that they are knowledgeable in their Science TEKS.Even though there are some behavior problems in some of the classes, they deal with it with limited assistance from their administrators.