Low+SES+Case+Study

Home Page By: Terri Thornton

Below is a case study about a student I taught for the 2010-2011 school year. I taught this student math and science and nominated her for the G/T program at our school. The format for the case study was adapted from the Highly Gifted group.

The following information was provided by my observations of this student during the school year and telephone interviews. Assessment information was obtained from our assessment tracking system at our school.

**__Observable Personality Traits__**
This student is both strong-willed and motivated. She is very intelligent and displays a variety of gifted characteristics including achievement, creativity, and problem solving skills. She struggles with peer relations and is very defensive towards others. This has ultimately has consequences on her relationships with others, teachers, and adults.

__Assessments: __ (M)- Meets, (E)- Exceeds

 * 2011 CRCT: Exceeded in all subject areas (numerical value not available at this time)
 * 2010 CRCT: English (862-E), Math (850-E), Reading (920-E), Science (853-E), & Social Studies (846-M)

**//Positive// **

 * Superior language ability- verbally fluent, large vocabulary, complex grammar (since a young age)
 * Thinking that is abstract, complex, logical, and insightful
 * Uses high-level thinking skills
 * High curiosity, explores how and why
 * Emotional intensity and sensitivity
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">High motivation
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Active


 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 1.1em;">//Negative// **
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Excessive self-criticism
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Poor self-image
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Variable frustration and anger
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Depression (at times)

<span style="color: #569dd2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25px;">**__Low Socioeconomic Characteristics__** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">This student comes from a divorced home. She spends equal amounts of time at both parents' homes. Her father's home is stable, and would be considered middle class. However, her mother's home is dysfunctional and would be considered economically disadvantaged. Let's look at each household. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Her father is employed at a local electricity provider as a lineman. Her stepmother works in a school district as a paraprofessional. They live in a nice home and are involved in school and sports within the community. <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Her mother is unemployed and has never really worked at a 'real' job. Her stepfather is a deputy in the community, but this is the only income providing support for a five-person family. They live in a nice home but are inconsistent with their involvement in school and sports. Her mother was recently arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol and other substances. A typical evening in the mother's home would consist of screaming, yelling, and drinking. Most of the care (while at the mother's home) is provided by the grandparents.

<span style="color: #569dd2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__**Student Interview**__
<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">﻿Initially, I planned on interviewing the student with a Flip Camera, then embedding the video here. Unfortunately, the student went out of town for two weeks when I was planning on the video shoot. She will not return until August 1st. However, I was able to get her on the telephone and ask her a couple of questions so you could get an idea of what kind of student and person she is. I simply asked the questions and recorded her answers. I also felt this was the best way to protect her identity since very personal details were given about her family. Below are some of the questions I felt were valuable.

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Me:__ //What are some strengths/weaknesses you have in the classroom?// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Student:__ //"I think I'm a good friend. I always pay attention in class too... and complete my work. I would like to change the way I get frustrated with some of my friends."//

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Me:__ //What are some future aspiration you have for yourself? What are some things you want to do in the future?// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Student:__ //"Well, I want to be a teacher."//

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Me:__ //What would be your ideal learning environment? Where do you think you would learn best?// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Student:__ //"I like it nice and quiet. I don't like a lot of people talking and distractions. I would also like a place that is very colorful with a lot of outside windows."//

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Me:__ //What are some things you enjoy doing?// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Student:__ //"I love to sing. If I could do anything in the World I would sing. I also like to play soccer. It's my favorite sport."//

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Me:__ //How would you describe your family?// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">__Student:__ //"My family is funny. But, right now, it's a little crazy. I just started living with my Dad all the time. I love my Dad, but sometimes I miss my Mom."//

<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//__<span style="color: #569dd2; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Teaching Strategies __//
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">According to this student's father, this past school year was the best school year she had ever had. Every school year before resulted in behavior checks, notes written home, and numerous phone calls. As the father revealed this to me, I asked myself, why was it so different with me? After an entire school year of searching, I came up with an answer. I accepted her for who she was. Flaws, attitude, and all. I don't think there is a magic solution for teaching troubled students. I could sit here and discuss the teaching strategies I used with her, but they were the same ones I used with all my students. The same ones all great teachers use. But, if you accept students for who they truly are and show them you care, the result is so rewarding.