Prompt II Dewey

My class is a very diverse class. There are a total of twelve students, four girls and eight boys, there are four African Americans and the rest are white. My school is in the largest school district in Rhode Island, parents have more choices than other district, so this school is very diverse. According to the info works of 2008, this school has forty-percent white, thirty-one percent Hispanic, twenty-four African American and five percent Asian. The school is mostly white just like my classroom. None of the students are receiving English as second language and forty percent of the students are eligible for lunch, this is not surprising considering the location of the school. Eleven of my students are qualified, this tells a lot about their social economic status.

My class is not only diverse but all of the students are academically delayed, this is a challenge for the teacher. She has to meet not only there social and culturally needs but also their mental and physically needs. Although my teacher is very nice and has passion for teaching, it was very surprising to me that she did not know the cultural background of some of her students. It was through my conversation with some of the students she learned that some of them are bi-racial. Taking to the students, I learn that two of them are from Liberia, one of from Senegal, one is bi-racial, one parent is white and the father is from Nigeria. Dewey said that" education given by a group tends to socialize its members, but the quality and value of the socialization depends upon habits and aims of the group. How can these students be fully educated when their cultural background is not even taken into account?

Most of my students have a lot to give to society, there is this one boy who has impressed me with his style of dressing, and he also comes to school dress as if he is attending a press conference, including a tie. I asked him if his parents made him dress that way, he replied "no" and said "I like dressing this way". This conversation tells me a lot about his family, and his personality. Dewey also said that society is like a mosaic, we all bring something and take something from society, as he also draw very well, he may one day become an artist.

Dewey also said that in order to have a large number of values in common each member of society must have the same opportunity to receive and take from each other. Although my students are academically challenged they too have something that can give to society, some of them are very good artists, most of the girls are not afraid to address the class. While doing a writing lesson with one of them, I was impressed with how she can express her ideas in words, and I was able to write it down for her, so she can copy it to her writing book. Although she cannot write or spell properly she was able to express herself.

First Impression
On the day of the first visit, I was a little bit nervous as I don't know what would be the reaction of the students and teacher. My teacher is very nice and the students are wonderful and well behaved.
Regent Square is located at Wickenden Street in area called Fox Point. Fox Point is one of the oldest neighborhood in providence. Fox Point has some of the oldest and historic buildings in providence and also home to Brown University and Rhode Island School of Design. You can also find a variety of fine restaurants and cafes and independent owned stores. The school is directly behind India Point Park, a beautiful water front for walking, biking and fishing. There is a public library and a Boys and Girls Club within walking distance of the school.
The school is a one level brick building. A banner with the name of the school is in front of the building, which is always locked. Visitors are buzzed in by the receptionist. There is a camera were the bell is, this enables the receptionist to see who is at the door. Upon entering the building there are signs telling visitors to report to the office. As soon as you enter the building you will see a long corridor with classrooms on both sides. On my first day I was a little bit uncomfortable with the set up of the building, as I did not notice the camera outside the front door on my first visit.
Beside classrooms, the school also has a nurse office, a staff room, cafeteria, gymnasium, staff room and an auditorium. As you walk around the school and see the works of the children displayed on walls, you get a feeling of dedication and hard work from the students and teachers. It was very impressive to see pictures from the eighteen centuries to present day displayed on the walls, depicting the history of the neighborhood and the school. There is also a huge emphasis on discipline.
This is a self contained classroom equipped with a sink with a total of twelve students ranging from grades three to five. All the students are delayed, they are reading and writing below grade level. Besides the teacher there are two aides and an occupational therapist helping with, the students. The classroom is very cluster, there are charts on the walls, bookcases, science projects, two reading areas, one with stuffed animals and chairs, another one set up with beach chairs. There are also four computers in the room,and a cupboard for hanging up coats and putting away personal things.
Mrs D has a passion for teaching, loves and enjoys what she is doing. She emphasizes on having a good character, perseverance and self discipline.