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=Focal Students for Unit Plan 2=

Student #1 Brenda Brenda is a quiet student, one that might go unnoticed, if not for the fact that she often comes up to the teacher after class to talk about something she is reading. This is a student who loves to read. Before and after class, whenever she has finished her work in class--these are times when she will have her nose buried in a thick book, usually science fiction or fantasy. She has traditionally done well in English because she has good verbal skills, attends to detail, and writes neatly. However, she does not really challenge herself--she just does what she needs to get by and get back into her book. In her other classes, she is a mediocre student. Math is especially difficult for her. An introvert, she also does not do well in group activities. Her dream in life is to become a veterinarian. She loves horses, especially, and she has been riding them since she was eight years old. Brenda does not participate in after school activities. Brenda is not a problem student, but you wonder whether she is really reaching her potential; will she, for example, be ready for college level courses in veterinary science?

Student #2 Maria Maria is a friendly girl that may appear timid at first. Ever since starting high school, she has been going through a lot of problems. Maria has been struggling with is her self-esteem. Her arms are covered in scars from where she used to cut herself, but over time, she has gotten help to stop the habit. While her mother is supportive, she is very busy and Maria tends to get overlooked, which contributes to her problems. Her perceptions of school have been grim. She had never been given a lot of motivation from teachers, and therefore, committed little time to her school work. Instead she spent time on the internet and chatting with her friends. For this reason, her grades suffered, and she was placed in facilitated study hall. She works well with the tutor and the effort is paying off. Her grades are improving, and she finally understands how school can be fun and interesting. Concerning her interests, she likes to read fashion magazines and shop with her friends. Reading has never been important to her, but she really enjoys movies.

Student #3 Andy Andy is a boy with a very short attention span. He is very friendly and generally happy, but he gets bored very easily. He comes to class everyday but rarely has his needed supplies. Andy has a hard time sitting down for long periods of time. He likes to be moving and this causes class disruptions quite often. When given a physical activity, Andy excels. But when asked to sit and read or write he does not complete assignments. He is very interested in cars and when he gets bored he looks at car parts online or in magazines in school. Andy has two supportive parents, but both seem somewhat overwhelmed with his energy and short attention span.

Student #4 Rachel Rachel is an outgoing student. Since she left elementary school, she has rapidly come into her own socially. Teachers like her energy, and other students look up to her. However, in recent years she has become a more vocal critic of school, likely in an attempt to be more popular. As a consequence, her energy in the classroom is more often turned toward distracting others and questioning the worth of activities and homework on a near-daily basis. Because of her social nature, Rachel excels in cooperative groups. When she is given the role of group leader, Rachel is able to guide conversation, and seems to take away a much deeper understanding of the content due to her engagement. However, Rachel also needs more experience with other roles, as she often tries to take control anyway and can sometimes drown out others’ voices. Although Rachel is critical of school, she also forms strong relationships with her teachers; she will share her art – a strong talent of hers – and will usually personally invite each of her teachers to the school plays that she takes part in.

Student #5 Porter Porter is a very intelligent young man. He is very interested in anything mechanical as well as anything that relates to farming. Because of this, he is often very busy helping his father with their trucking company and farm. He has voiced his disinterest in English, yet completes the assignments required of him, but does not like to voice any serious opinions when in group discussions/class discussions. He doesn't see how reading novels, poems, short-stories that he's un-interested in will help him in his further academic endeavors.

Student #6 Kamden Kamden is a unique adolescent. He is a white, 17 year old male who is involved heavily in band. Although he participates as a drummer with much enthusiasm for nearly every single possible drumming opportunity the school and community have to offer, he does not actively participate in his regular class. He gets by, however, as he does the very minimum at the very last minute, and has always received high enough marks in his classes for his own satisfaction. He remains mostly quiet and even preoccupied in class. He enjoys the content of history and English, but not the work. His priority is and has always been music and friendship. His creative side is potentially astounding in any class, but his ethic is quite lacking.