A Student Study
Middle and Secondary Students
Form #8
This assignment involves an in-depth study of an individual, both within and outside of the classroom. By understanding and
developing a relationship with the student you will be able to understand that the development of all adolescents occurs in the context
of classrooms, families, peer groups, communities and society. Your assignment is to first gather information about the general school
and community. You will then gather information about the student that you have chosen for your case study. This will enable you to
understand the adolescent in the context of school, family, and community.
This project is to be completed in the school where you student teach. You will gather information and present it in narrative format.
CATEGORY
Standard 6
QUESTIONS
These questions will help to guide your inquiry.
You are not limited to these questions.
Family and Community Involvement
Understand the variety of family structures
(6.1)
Understand how prior learning, experiences, and
family and cultural backgrounds influence young
adolescent learning. (6.2)
Understand the challenges that families may
encounter in contemporary society and are
knowledgeable about support services and other
resources that are available to assist them. (6.3)
Know how to communicate effectively with
family and community members. (6.4)
Describe the student’s family. How is the
student’s family similar/different from other
students?
Describe the student’s learning environments since
kindergarten. How have these experiences
influenced him/her as a person and as a learner?
What challenges might this family encounter?
What support services and other resources are
available if they are needed?
Describe a meeting with a family member and
someone involved with the student outside
classroom. Participate in a parent conference.
SOURCES
Current Census Reports,
School and county websites,
observations, conversations
with classroom teacher;
conversations with the
adolescent, student records.
CATEGORY
The Culture of their Community and
School
Economy
Education
Religion
Politics
Demographics
Recreation/Leisure
Schools
QUESTIONS
These questions will help to guide your
inquiry. You are not limited to these
questions.
What drives the economy of the area?
How does this affect the school lives of
young adolescents?
How is education valued in the
community?
How does religion shape the values of the
community?
What are the political values of the
community?
What are the demographics? How does
this shape the educational experiences of
adolescents?
What is a popular source of
recreation/leisure activities in the
community?
As a result of the culture of the
community, what are some challenges the
school faces? What are some practices and
programs that support the development of
young adolescents?
SOURCES
Current Census Reports,
School and county websites, observations,
conversations with the master teacher;
conversations with the adolescent, student
records.
CATEGORY
The Culture of their Daily Lives
Language
Fashion
QUESTIONS
These questions will help to guide your
inquiry. You are not limited to these
questions.
How do they talk? What is their
lingo/slang? How does language
categorize certain groups of adolescents?
What do they wear? How does fashion
classify them?
Music
What music do they listen to? What does
this tell you about their development?
Religion/spirituality
How important is religion to them? How
do they express their religious beliefs in
school?
What do they eat? When do they eat? In
what ways are they concerned about
nutrition, weight, and the body?
What media do they interact with daily?
What purpose does it serve in their lives?
Food
Media/Technology
Recreation/Leisure
Relationships
What do they do for fun? What does this
tell you about their social development?
What relationships are important? How do
these relationships effect school days?
SOURCES
Current Census Reports,
School and county websites, observations,
conversations with the master teacher;
conversations with the adolescent, student
records.
DATA ANALYSIS – SCHOOL, FAMILY AND COMMUNITY CULTURE
1. What are the demographics? Use percentages from your census data.
FINDINGS
Race
Socioeconomic Status/Income
Employment
Gender
Education
Language
Housing
Families
2. How do the demographics shape the educational experiences of adolescents?
SIGNIFICANCE
3. What drives the economy of the area?
4. How does the economy shape the school lives of adolescents?
5. How is education valued in the community?
6. How does the value of education shape the school lives of young adolescents?
7. How do religion and politics shape the values of the community?
8. As a result of the culture of the community, what are some challenges the school faces?
9. As a result of the culture of the community, what are some practices and programs that support the development of young
adolescents?
10. Discuss the student that you have chosen for your study. Include his/her characteristics in each of the above categories. How
do these characteristics impact his or her learning? What services or activities would you recommend for the positive growth
of this individual? Why?