ML4002

Child/Family Contexts and Meaningful Learning and Teaching

Teacher Interview

Arrange a time to meet with your host teacher to discuss the context for learning and teaching that exists in the classroom where you have been placed for your field experience. If possible, sit down with an administrator (building principal or center director) or other professionals in the building to obtain additional insights.

Together, consider the guiding questions as well as other characteristics and information that may be relevant. Record and submit your notes from the interview(s).

Note: Keep in mind that you are seeking information that will help you analyze the context of the classroom where you are completing your field experience for this Competency. In addition, you will be analyzing strategies for getting to know children and families in an early childhood classroom and the role of context in meaningful learning and teaching. Observations in the classroom and interviews with your host teacher and other professionals in your setting will provide important insights as you complete this Performance Task Assessment.

There are four sections of Guiding Questions:

· Guiding Questions: Community

· Guiding Questions: School

· Guiding Questions: Children and Families

· Guiding Questions: Challenges and Benefits

Guiding Questions

Community

· Is the community in which the school is set urban, rural, or suburban?

· What are the demographics of the community? Consider factors such as race, language, culture, ages, family configurations, and socioeconomic levels. Is the community largely homogeneous or highly diverse across these factors?

· Who are the key employers?

· Are there any specific characteristics of the community that contribute to its identity? (For example, is it a college town? Are there significant tourist attractions or historical sites nearby that contribute to the town’s identity? What special features of the climate or geography contribute to a sense of place?)

Additional Questions and Notes Related to Community Context:

Guiding Questions

School

· Is the school a private, public, or charter school?

· Does it have a religious affiliation?

· Does the school have a special focus (e.g., language immersion or STEM)?

· Does the school adhere to a particular philosophical approach (e.g., Montessori or Waldorf)?

· What ages/grade levels does the school serve?

· Are the teachers certified?

· What school or district expectations (standards, required curricula) inform or regulate content and instructional methods used in this setting?

· What technology tools are available to the children, either in the classroom or in the school?

· Are there any other specific characteristics of the school that contribute to its identity?

Additional Questions and Notes Related to School Context:

Guiding Questions

Children and Families

· How many children are in the class? What are their age(s)/grade level(s)?

· How many teachers and/or paraprofessionals are engaged with the children on a daily basis? What other professionals, if any, have regular interaction with the children?

· What is known about the individual strengths, needs, and learning styles of the children? How are these assessed?

· Are there children with exceptionalities? How are these children served and supported?

· Are there children whose first language is not English? Are there families that have recently immigrated? How are these children served and supported?

· Are there any other specific characteristics of the children and families that contribute to context for meaningful learning and teaching?

Additional Questions and Notes Related to Child and Family Context:

Guiding Questions

Challenges and Benefits

· What methods or strategies are used by this teacher/administrator to obtain information about the children, families, and communities they serve?

· What are some challenges professional educators experience in gathering information about the children, families, and communities they serve?

· What are the benefits of getting to know more about children, families, and the community?

· How is information about the children, their families, and the community used to support the development of meaningful learning and teaching experiences?

Additional Notes: