Service Learning Hours 4467 - Rachel Gray

To complete my 15 hours of service learning I am reflecting on the time I spend monitoring study hall. I do occasionally get to help the students with their work. I do this 3 days a week for 4 to 5 periods a day. The school I am at has a mix of students from different socio-economic backgrounds. The majority I would say come from the higher end. There are a few of ELL students in every class. The students range in age from 13-15 years of age.

My first encounter was interesting because they were trying to feel me out as students do. They tried to be very creative and in sense won that round. Over time most have warmed up to me. There is one particular student that acted like she didn't like me. She was a bit defiant when I gave directions. (She was quietly defiant.) Now recently, students have told her they think we are related, so now she has an interest in me. She listens better and each day asks another question about me. My last class with her she acted like she wanted to ask a question but another student pulled her away before she got a chance. It's interesting how she now feels a connection to me after fellow classmates pointed it out. I relate to her more than she realizes.

Even more interesting is the fact that there are other students that look like this particular student but she can't seem to relate to them at all from what I have observed. I'm not sure if it is related to their English speaking abilities. They speak English but have problems from time to time. I also notice most of the female students stray from these particular students, who are also female. They seem very nice, yet they seem to stay in their own group also. I'm sure it's a comfort zone, but I also think it's because the other students don't let them in. The English speaking females are more accepting to the male ELL students then to the female ELL students. I can't figure out why. Maybe it has to do with the age. This will be one that I watch.

One of my favorite classes comes at the end of the day. I have an interesting dynamic going on. There is a group of students that if just one of them is missing, shut down. If all of them are there, they all become challenges. They are the ones that try to charm the teacher with comments at the same time basically not listening. Overall, they are a good group but like to buck the system when possible.

Overall, the students seem to blend well. It is the typical school where there are the real popular students, the studious students, and the ones that everyone likes to pick on.