Home | How It Works | Stats Login | Register         Case: New Circumstances Mrs. Stewart is teaching a fifth grade class again this school year. This will be her fourteenth year to teach fifth grade in the school where she began her professional career. Mrs. Stewart has been very excited about teaching in this school for yet another year. After thirteen years, she knows many of the actively involved parent volunteers who faithfully commit their time working in the classrooms. However, this will not be a typical school year for Mrs. Stewart. This particular year did not have a familiar start compared to previous years. One week after school began, an ESL (English as a Second Language) student moved into the high income neighborhood surrounding the school. A young girl from South America became Mrs. Stewart's new student. The Spanish speaking girl, Anna, would be hearing the English language for the first time in Mrs. Stewart's fifth grade classroom. Mrs. Stewart was told by the office Secretary that Anna had been attending public school for five years before leaving South America. Additionally, Mrs. Stewart learned that Anna and her family only speak Spanish in their home. Mrs. Stewart fears that her collective experiences teaching fifth grade for all of those years would not compare in complexity to her new circumstances. Questions: 1. After being so familiar and comfortable with her fifth grade lesson plans, will Mrs. Stewart need to change her curriculum? 2. Will the language barrier and cultural differences prevent teaching and learning from happening in the classroom? 3. How will Mrs. Stewart involve Anna's parents in school activities? Solution: (Rates are posted for this solution!) 1. Mrs. Stewart should not have to change her curriculum, however, she will have to accomodate her new student. 2. The language barrier and cultural differences will do the exact opposite of preventing learning. It will allow the other students in the classroom to learn so much more. This is an exciting experience for all of the students. There will be challenges, but they can be overcome. By labeling different objects in the classroom with english and spanish words, this should significantly impact the teaching experience. 3. There is always the option of having a translator. This should help with the communication between the teacher and the parents. Mrs. Stewart should encourage the parents to take part in any school activities to better understand why their child is experiencing every day. This will build relationships as well as understanding.                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: Rated On: February 25, 2013 7:31 pm Rated By: eMypur                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: All good ideas Rated On: October 19, 2020 12:09 am Rated By: usuBuQ                 Rating The suggested solution is respectful of the individual (student) Yes The suggested solution is relevant to the case Yes The suggested solution is reasonable (easy) for the teacher to implement Yes The suggested solution is likely to solve the problem/issue Yes The suggested solution is original Yes Comments: I would use this in my classroom Rated On: October 17, 2022 3:16 am Rated By: NyXaze