Classroom Profile – Andy Bay Rm 11

Profile of the classroom

Class Level: Year 5/6

Number of Children: 27

Number of Boys: 14 (6 – Year 5; 9 – Year 6)

Number of Girls: 13 (4 – Year 5; 9 – year 6)

What ethnic backgrounds are represented in this classroom?

• Pākeha
• Māori
• Tauiwi (European)

Identify (Using pseudonyms) any children whose first language is NOT English, state what their first language is, and add any relevant comments.

While there are children who do not speak English at home exclusively, only N did not have English as their first language. However being raised in New Zealand, English is a dominant language. By year 6 any difficulties in French being their first language have been smoothed over.

What special learning needs are represented in this classroom?

There is a small range of neurodiversity in the classroom, with two ākonga having an official diagnosis of ADHD or autism, and three others displaying ND tendencies. One ākonga has a teacher aide to provide extra assistance.

Identify (using pseudonyms) any children who show signs of giftedness and add brief relevant comments.

None seem to fit the gifted & talented criteria within the classroom setting.

Using your own observations and your discussions with your Associate as a basis, describe the socio-economic mix represented by the children in the class.  

Predominantly comfortable middle-class, parents are professional with many working at the University.

Think about the information that you have gathered above. Suggest some of the implications that this diversity has for the class teacher.  

There are a large number of ākonga who may not have a shared lived experience on which to build connections to curriculum areas. This may be particularly difficult with units that have an expectation of understanding around te reo Māori or Tikanga Māori, requiring extra time to build that knowledge. While most come from a secure middle-class family environment, the few that don’t may struggle with the social norms such as bike riding that are prevalent throughout the school.