Origami

Paola Bernal

April 27^th, 2015

P. Cohen, Education 266

Strategies for Change

Teacher Reform

For my Final Field Paper, I'd like to propose that my focus be on the salient impact of community centers/ teachers(mentors) to students and families whom are a part of urban school communities. My praxis is unlike many in our class and at times it can be challenging, because what happens in an urban classroom is not exactly the same thing that happens in my praxis, Discovery.  But I've learned to be more observant and connect with not only my students, but the individuals behind the scenes, working to make this after-school program possible as well as the parents who encourage their childrem to be a part of Discovery's program.

Paola Bernal

April 12, 2015

P. Cohen, Education 266

Film Analysis

Classrooms: A Space for Learning or a Space for Race Wars? 

I have worked with a kindergarten student at my Praxis location and for convenience I will be calling him Charlie. On several occasions I have found myself working with Charlie to complete his homework and it has been successful. However, when we are done doing work he insists on doing other activities, such as drawing or making puzzles, with only me. On a few occasions I have noticed that Charlie, not only with me but with other volunteers, becomes visibly upset when I or the other volunteers try to help other students with their homework. If a volunteer moves to work with other students he begins to insist that the volunteer must stay and work with him, as if having chosen to help him with his homework he is entitled for the rest of the day. 

Ana María is a current 8th grader. She's been in the states for about two years and has an older brother who is also in the 8th grade. They both go to King's After School Program, sit close together, and look out for each other. They share a lot of similar qualities, but Ana María is mathematically talented and her brother is consistently encouraging her. Earlier in the year, Ana María was taking Pre-Algebra, but this semester, they moved her up to Algebra 2. She was moved to two levels of higher math. Her school recognized that Ana was doing so well in her previous math class that they gave her a math test and based on that score, she was moved to Algebra 2.