Contextual Factors

Community, District, and School Factors:

Dr. Albert Einstein Academy (School #29) is located in the urban area of Elizabeth, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, 41,596 households, and 29,325 families residing in the city. The population density was 10,144.1 inhabitants per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 54.65% White, 21.08% African American, 0.83% Native American, 2.08% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 16.72% from other races, and 4.59% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 59.50% (74,353) of the population. The mission of the Dr. Albert Einstein Academy is to develop the problem-solvers and innovators of tomorrow through the use of the latest technologies. In a rigorous, yet supportive, academic setting, students will be able to explore, analyze and shape our world. Dr. Albert Einstein Academy has been designated a NASA Explorer School. The NASA Explorer School program is a partnership with NASA in which both parties collaborate to develop and implement student programs that emphasize Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

Classroom Factors:

The school has three floors with lockers outside all of the classrooms. Students are allowed to go to their lockers three times a day- once before homeroom at the beginning of the day, once before lunch, and once after lunch. There are bulletins boards in the hallways in which students' work is displayed. Each teacher on that floor is responsible for updating their bulletin board once a month with students work/projects. The science room I am working in is the biggest in the school. Within the classroom there are cabinets, closets, and a prep room provided to store materials for science experiments. There are six computers along the back wall that are easily accessible to the students. Other sources of technology that are accessible to both students and the teacher are a smart board, DVD/VCR player, and microscopes. The teacher's workstation is in the front of the classroom with the media center to the right. There are twelve long tables paired up to make six groups of four students. Also, there are six small lab stations that accommodate four students. They each have a gas line hook-up and sinks in the back of the room for any experiments requiring natural gas or water. Other materials that are available are resource books, science journals, lab notebooks, and two white boards. Posters related to science are in abundance in the classroom and a bulletin board has been set up which serves as a word wall. The rules and procedures of the school and classroom are posted near the entrance of the classroom.

Student Characteristics:

          The eighth grade science classroom has a general education population with one inclusion class having 11 special education students. They are between the ages of 13 and 14. The majority race is split between Hispanic and African American. None of these learners are ELL students, however most are bilingual in Spanish. We are also teaching one fifth grade class that consists of all Hispanic and African American as well. Their ages range from 9-10. All the students are required to wear uniforms consisting of khaki pants or skort, white button down shirt, maroon tie, and maroon sweater, and closed toe shoes.

          The students at Dr. Albert Einstein Academy are grouped together by homeroom. For example, the eighth grade is divided up into three homerooms 8-318, 8-319, and 8-320. Each homeroom consists of about 25 students, and these 25 students spend the whole day together going from class to class.

          We have a total of six periods to teach four classes. The fifth grade students have one 45 minute period every day, and the three eighth grade classes have one 45 minute period and a double period three times a week for lab. Each class has a maximum of 25 students, however in class 8-320 there are 27 total because for science the 11 8^th grade special education students are mixed in with the general population. In this class there are three special education teachers to assist these students.

·         Period one (5-309): 12 Boys & 12 girls

·         Period two (8-318): 10 Boys & 14 girls

·         Period three (8-320): 17 boys (5 Special Ed) & 10 girls (2 Special Ed)

·         Period four (8-319): 11 Boys & 12 Girls

Instructional Implications:

          These classrooms do not have any ELL students but there are several special education students included who are being helped through modified instruction. The paraprofessionals work with the teacher to best accommodate those students. Some ways this is done is by modifying instruction, placing those learners in groups with students who are patient and encouraging.

          Most of the parents in this area are single, working parents of one or more jobs. Many of them are impoverished. Being hungry can have a drastic effect on learning, so Dr. Albert Einstein Academy feeds the students breakfast, lunch, and two snacks. There is also a “backpack program” which provides impoverished students to bring home a hot meal for themselves as many parents cannot afford to feed their children a decent meal. Many of these students also take on roles in the household like cleaning, babysitting, and cooking that interfere with their school and homework.

          I have notified the parents via a letter informing them that I am a student teacher, and with the guidance of my cooperating teacher I will be teaching their children this semester. I told them to feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. I enclosed my, and my cooperating teachers contact information and request contact information from them as well such as work number, home number, cell number, and email address.