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Contextual Factors
Classroom Factors: This third grade classroom is well organized and full of learning opportunities. At the very front of the classroom is a Smartboard, a projector and a whiteboard. The Word of the Day is located on the right side of the whiteboard. Right in front of the whiteboard, there is a color-coordinated square carpet. Each row is a different color including red, purple, blue, green, and orange. This carpet is generally used for note-taking and to watch clips/movies. The teacher sometimes uses the color of the squares to dismiss her students from the carpet. The desks are organized into small groups of 3-5 students. The desks are marked with numbers that correspond with that student. The students are sometimes dismissed or called to line up at the door by their number. The desks were originally grouped together and then separated completely due to behavioral problems. However, the teacher recently grouped these students back together based off the needs of different students. The students with behavioral problems or ADHD are seated throughout the classroom by themselves to keep them from getting distracted by other students. One boy in the classroom was moved off to the side by his own request. He knew that he could not get work done or focus on what the teacher was saying due to the things happening around him. The teachers desk is shaped like a horseshoe that is commonly used for guided reading, grading, planning, and organizing. Behind her desk, she has a board with a list of Hoppy Helpers. Her Hoppy Helpers are the students who are given a certain task to do in the classroom. Under the Hoppy Helpers are the bathroom and nurse passes. Also, behind her desk is a board with the listed objectives for that day. The teacher made the comment that her horseshoe desk can sometimes get in the way when she forgets something behind it that may be needed for her lesson. The classroom walls are covered in informative posters including the rules (be ready, be respectful, and be responsible), certain math rules, the food chain, and a cause/effect chart. Cubbies are located beside the door to the right. There is a cubby assigned to each student that corresponds with their given number. In the very back of the classroom, there are four computers for the students to play games and do research on. Also at the back of the classroom is a tall basket that is labeled for each subject where students are to turn in their assignments. In the corner of the classroom, there is a bathroom for the students. They are responsible for keeping their bathroom clean. To ensure that the students do their part in keeping the bathroom clean, there is a sign-in sheet located outside of it where the students sign in and out as they come and go.

This classroom is on a tight schedule, every day. Their morning begins with breakfast in the classroom and then the WMAT News. Next, they are assigned a Morning Work which is always Math-related. After their morning work is done and reviewed, they then continue working on their Math lesson for that week. The time allotted is generally 25-30 minutes for each subject in the order of Math, Science, Social Studies, Activity (Music, PE, Art), Word Study, Shared Reading, Lunch, Guided Reading, Recess, and Writing. There is a 10 minute period that is added in periodically throughout the day for the students to use the restroom. This third grade classroom is full of students who love rewards. The teacher rewards stickers to the students for good grades and behavior because her third graders love stickers. She also gives out homework passes and the school enforced PAWsitive Paws which will earn them a prize after receiving a set amount. Also, if she notes a student doing a good job, she will give them a ticket for a random drawing where the winner receives a coupon for a free meal at Pizza Hut. This teacher exercises many different forms of punishment, as well. These include warnings (which she very seldom uses because they should know the rules by now), silent lunch, walking at recess, and phone call from classroom. However, the most common punishment is a note home in the agenda that is signed daily. There has not been a lot of parental involvement in this classroom. There is one parent that will occasionally drop in and check on their son. However, there are many parents who do not respond to phone calls or return signed letters. There have been several circumstances where a case worker has been sent to the home to get papers signed from the parents. There are never any parent volunteers and some parents have never been to meet the teacher.

Student Characteristics: This third grade classroom consists of 20 students. The age of these students range from ages 910. The class is 65% boys and 35% girls. 30% of these students are Caucasian while 70% are African American. 18 out of 20 students are from a low socioeconomic status and receive free lunch.2 out of 20 students are medicated for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. There are no ESOL students. There are two students with reoccurring behavioral issues. A majority of these students are hands-on learners. They enjoy playing games while learning. One game that can be used for any subject that gets the students going is what the teacher calls Describe and Guess Game. The teacher will describe an example of what they are learning and the students will yell out guesses. The teachers reading record data shows that there are 8 students in her classroom that are below grade level, 7 above grade level, and 5 students right at grade level.

To be on grade level, students must have a DRA of 30 at the beginning of the year and 34 at the end of the year. Only 5 students took MAP testing this year and 4 out of 5 met their scores. During Spring MAP testing, a student has to meet a score of 186 to be on grade level. There are 2 students in this classroom that are in the Gifted and Talented Program. Instructional Implications: When planning for instruction, the teacher has to take into account the several students with behavioral problems and ADHD. She has to keep in mind that the students need to be doing something active or hands-on a large percentage of the day. She has two resource students that are pulled out a few times a day for math and reading help. There are three students that are pulled out for RTI. Also, there is one student that is pulled out for speech therapy. The resource students, in addition to being pulled out, have accommodations that need to be made. The teacher has to read their tests to them and they have to sit in the front of the room to be kept on task. Note-taking time is limited due to the fact that some students take longer than needed to take notes. Note-taking tends to take up a majority of that particular subjects time. The teacher sometimes prints out these notes to keep from having to take notes in class. Another factor that this teacher has to take into consideration is a diabetic student. She sometimes has to find an alternative motivation from candy. When candy is involved in an activity or used as a treat, it is always sugar-free.