2020 Student Research Conference:
33rd Annual Student Research Conference

Focused on Flourishing: The Effects of a Focal Student on Whole Classroom Instruction


Riley G. Vonder Haar♦
Dr. Christopher Maglio, Faculty Mentor

Culturally responsive teaching involves meeting all student’s needs in a manner that is conducive for their own learning.  There are many different strategies involved in culturally responsive teaching, one of which involves the use of a focal student. A focal student helps analyze teaching moves and strategies in the classroom. A deep relationship is forged between the teacher and the focal student to determine how that student learns best in the classroom. From there, the teacher analyzes how catering to that focal student’s needs aids in whole classroom instruction.  The purpose of this study is to analyze focal student behavior and its impact on whole classroom instruction in a mathematics setting. In a group of fifteen first-grade students, one focal student was selected and my teaching moves were analyzed through videotaping and conversations with the focal student.

Keywords: Culture, Focal, Student, Learning, Relationship

Topic(s):Education

Presentation Type: Oral Presentation

Session: TBA
Location: TBA
Time: TBA

♦ Indicates Truman Graduate Student
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