Ben Kennard

EDUC 450
Setting/Context

In the class I am taking part in, the culture of the classroom is very inclusive. It seems

like, due to only 12 students being in class, the teacher has done a really good job creating a

community where all of the students feel free to vocalize their opinions and knowledge. There

are no requirements to take part in class, so not all students are involved vocally, but most get

involved and occasionally the teacher will ask a student who isn’t involved an easy question or a

personal question relating to them. The teacher lectures each class, but this is due to the lack of

time because of the current COVID schedule, he told me that usually he splits up the 90 minute

class periods to include student centered discussions. The teacher often goes on very short,

usually entertaining, tangents seemingly in order to foster student intrigue. Regarding the

developmental levels of the students, there are a few students with 504s, but they generally are

involved and succeed with small accommodations. The rest of the students seem to range from

average to advanced and need little

influence to share their interests

related to music, sports, cooking

and any other hobbies. The

classroom is set up in columns

facing the front board, this allows

students to converse without

breaking COVID protocol.

 There are five students in this class who have 504s and none with IEPs. The first student

has high anxiety and trouble with handwriting, this student needs extra time with each lesson and

occasional help with notes. The second student has ADD and difficulties with handwriting as

well, however I have been told that they are exceptionally interactive and successful. The third

student has lupus, so their 504 is only there to alert the teacher of possible health circumstances.

The fourth student has issues with speech, but through a speech to text program they are highly

productive. The last student has ADHD, but also is highly productive in the class and only needs

extra time and special testing services. As a whole, with exception to testing changes and speech

to text programs, the thing that will help these students most is extra time to process information

and take notes, which will also help other students, so it’s a win anyway!