Jackson: Option For Student Study

Your Student's Data

You are about to meet a student named Jackson.  He is a "new" student in your classroom.  You will have two videos and some student data to help you get to know Jackson.  Know that this is a real student in a pretend situation.  

Data Form for Jackson

Be sure you download the student data form in previous section before you start watching.   We encourage you to watch the videos more than once and to reread the other data.  If Jackson were your student, you would have more than one chance to interact with him!

Let's Meet Jackson

Meet Jackson.  He is a new student in your class.  As you listen to him speak, what do you notice?  What is your initial impression of him?  Remember, step one is to build a relationship with the child... get to know him/her.  For a transcript of this video, select HERE.

PLEASE CLICK HERE TO VIEW JACKSON'S VIDEO.

Listen closely and take some notes paying particular attention to the following:

• What is he good at?
• What does he like to do in his spare time?
• What is hard for him?
• What is easy for him?
• What are his grades?  
• What are his feelings about school?  
• What are his feelings about different subjects?
• What is your initial impression of Jackson?

Jackson, Video Part 2

You have now had Jackson in your classroom for a week or so and notice that he is just not acclimating well.  He is struggling.  You decide to talk with him again in an attempt to continue to get to know him better.  His files still haven't arrived from his old school and you have yet to connect with his family.  

As you watch this next video clip, take some notes noting what he likes and dislikes, what works, what doesn't work, his strengths, his challenges... make sure to note anything of particular importance on your student study form. Optional, for a transcript for video 2, select HERE.

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS HIS VIDEO

A Call From Jackson's Mother, Getting to Know More About Jackson

Pretend you just spoke to Jackson's mother and found out the following...  

He:

• • • is a passionate and creative writer

    • has a history of not fitting in with peers (doesn't have many friends)

    • has never liked group work

    • is strong academically - has been on the honor roll with a 4.0

    • has been enrolled in all honors classes with an A average

    • can dominate conversations

    • wants to write a book and loves science fiction

    • is a bit of a computer geek

    • is a bit of a loner

    • has a very extensive vocabulary

    • is bullied a lot

Making connections with parents as partners in their child's education is paramount.  Now that you have heard her thoughts on her son what do you think?  

The reality is, as an educator, at some point in your career you might have to call a parent for a similar reason.  As you plan to call parents, here are some questions you might ask a parent in an interview:

a)    What is your child good at?

b)    What does he like to do in his spare time?

c)     What is hard for her?

d)    Does your child like school? What does he like or dislike about it?

e)    Has your child had any testing done outside of school?

f)     What do you wish teachers knew about your child?

g)    What’s the best thing about your child?

h)    What else would you like me to know about your child that might help me work more effectively with him?

From what was gathered from the "call" with your student's mother - consider what should you note in your student study form.   

Data and Other Information for Jackson

We just received the cumulative file from his previous school and found out the following:

• He is in 8th grade.
• He has a Section 504 plan.
• He has been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
• He has received numerous referrals for disruptive and defiant behavior.
• He is identified as gifted in multiple areas (math and general intellectual abilities based on his CogAT scores).
• We do not have his most current PARCC/CMAS data but he Exceeded Expectations in Math and Met Expectations in English/Language Arts in both 5th and 6th grades.
• He Met Expectations on the 5th grade CMAS Science assessment.
• He had an A in all academic classes.
• He took the CogAT in 3rd grade and scored the following:
  • V - 99th percentile
  • Q - 95th percentile
  • NV - 96th percentile

A note from his previous teachers included:

• dominates conversations
• asks too many questions
• defiant in classroom activities
• peers don't choose him for group work or partner activities
• when frustrated he will pout, put his head down, refuse to work, cry, hit his head on his desk or with a book
• he gets easily frustrated
• is failing P.E.

With information from the two videos and parent and teacher information - what are your next steps for working with this student?  

Again, take note of your thoughts.  You will use them shortly.