1. University of Puerto Rico at Humacao
English Department
Teaching Education Unit
Group Profile
Rufino Vigo Elementary School’s 5th-1
School District: Las Piedras
Cooperating Teacher: Luz N. Aponte
Sherley Marie Cordero López
842-06-1474
Practice Teaching
EDPE 3018
Dr. Aníbal Muñoz Claudio
Date: February 16, 2012

2. The information provided in this profile belongs to a fifth grade group of 18 students of
the Rufino Vigo Elementary School. The certified English teacher of 5th-1 is Mrs. Luz N.
Aponte, my cooperating teacher. The data gathered throughout this group profile assisted me in
identifying the demographics and interests of my practice group. The instrument that I use as
data-gathering was a questionnaire based on the sample given in the Participant Observation
course. The questions were modified in order to facilitate the understanding of the vocabulary.
The questions were focused on identifying the weaknesses and strengths of the students as well
as their personalities and hobbies. I also used the questionnaire of Mrs. Andrea Ruiz, the
homeroom teacher of my practice group, to gather information that I did not asked in the survey
but I thought that it was important to include it. For example, I included their health conditions
and parents or legal guardian information.
I gave the questionnaire to the group and explain in details every question. The students
take the questionnaire to their home I order to get help from their parents. They were very
responsible and answer the questions for the next day. The information is tabulated in the roll
book along with the percentages for each item.
All this information assists me in my labor as teacher because it makes easier the process
of knowing my students. The purpose of this group profile is to not only get a better
understanding of the students that will be in my cooperating group but also to understand where
they are coming from. The analysis of the data gathered in the survey will help me make wise
decisions regarding to lesson planning, classroom management, and situations of emergency.
Thanks to this information I will focused my planning to their needs and interests.

3. This pie chart shows that most of the students in the class are females, which is a
common thing to see in all levels in education. In fact, there are eleven girls and seven boys in
the group. This factor will be crucial in decision making because I will have to take into
consideration the variety of topics to discuss in class. Based on this information I will generally
pick material that is female related without ignoring the male ratio.
More females could mean a talkative classroom. I have to be aware of the classroom
management techniques for this particular factor as setting rules and procedures, sitting
arrangements, and following estabished contingencies.

4. Age Distribution
This chart illustrates a extended range of what is normally for a fifth grade. The class
have four different age groups. In a fifth grade group the majoriaty of students should be
between the ages of ten and eleven depending on their birthdays. This indicates that there are
several students that failed a grade level. There are students who are close in age and can relate
with one another. Those who are oldest tend to get bored on the activities of the class. I have to
make activities that are appealing to the mature audience. In the aspect of classroom
management situations of discrepancies between younger and older children may arise.
I have to encourage diversity, respect and tolerance in this classroom.

5. The family structure is an important aspect to study. How students behave and what they
will become in life is very much dependent on their family life. Psychologists believe that a child
learns the most from their homes. I quote from an article of Family Structure and Children's
Educational Outcomes. Research Brief No. 1, November 2005 | Center for Marriage and
Families (http://www.americanvalues.org/briefs/edoutcomes.htm).
A comprehensive review of recent academic research shows that family
structure — whether a child’s parents are married, divorced, single,
remarried, or cohabiting — is a significant influence on children’s
educational performance. Family structure affects preschool readiness.
It affects educational achievement at the elementary, secondary, and
college levels. Family structure influences these outcomes in part because
family structure affects a range of child behaviors that can bear directly
on educational success, such as school misbehavior, drug and alcohol
consumption, sexual activity and teen pregnancy, and psychological
distress. There is a solid research basis for the proposition that
strengthening U.S. family structure — increasing the proportion of
children growing up with their own, two married parents — would
significantly improve the educational achievements of U.S. children.

6. In this pie chart shows that the 50% of the class live with their parents, which means that
they have a basic or normal family structure. Based on the article, I need to consider their lives at
home in order to target the problem and give them the extrinsic motivation they need.
This chart shows that the most of the students live in a small family group of four people,
including the student. The students who have a small family could be an advantage in that they
may get more attention and help in their assingnments. They may get individualized attention
because they do not have many siblings.

7. This chart shows that the 94% of the students were born in Puerto Rico and only a 6 % of
the students were born in the United States of America. As puertorricans we are US citizens and
this will help me to make a connection with learning English as a Second Language. In general,
our culture has a negative perception of learning English because of political issues. As an
English teacher, I have to motivate my students in many ways. One way must be changing their
perception of rejecting their culture identity because of learning English.

8. This chart shows that most of the students have never lived outside Puerto Rico. The
students who lived in the United States are not fluent in the language because they were little
when they lived outside Puerto Rico. This information has different point of view. As an
disadvantage is that they could not relate with the country and the curriculum materials are made
for native speakers. An advantage could it be trying to relate aspects of our culture that have
been adopted of the United States.

9. This chart shows that there is a percentage that identifies themselves as bilinguals. Those
who their principal language is Spanish, I will help them to establish a comparison in order to get
a positive response. I will limit the use of Spanish in the classroom to a minimum because this
period of time is the only section that they can practice the target language, English.

10. This chart shows that the 61% of the students have a computer in their homes. This
information presented in this pie chart means that the stdents could make use of this resource.
This data is beneficial for me too because I could incorporated into my lessons. For example,
students will make use of their computers at home for searching info for homework or to study
with interactive educational games.

11. The information provided in this chart is about the usage of the computer at home. The
39%, which is the majority in the percentages that use the computer at home, use the computer
for educational and fun purposes. The 44% has computers but parents limits their usage. The use
of technology in the learning process is beneficial because is appealing to this generations.

12. This chart shows that the 50% of the students use the internet in their homes. The 6% has
internet but is control by their parents. In this area I have a disadvantage and is it that not all
students can search for an activity or information on the internet. I know that if I work with
parents that are engaged with the education of their children they will help them in their
assignments. As a student-centered teacher my job is to facilitate learning instead of punish them
or harming them.

13. The information provided in this chart is about the usage of the internet at home. The
39%, which is the majority in the percentages that use the internet at home use it for educational
and fun purposes. The 44% has internet in their computers but parents limits their usage. The
use of technology in the learning process is beneficial because is appealing to this generations.
The internet is a wonderful resource and connects them to the world. Those who have not
traveled could investigate the world throughout the internet. If I have the oportunity to integrate
the use of internet, I will use it to connect them with English speakers. For example, is like
having a pen pal but integrating technology into the class. They will learn English make a new
friend.

14. This information is very important because this chart shows that there are computers at
school available for students. They could use them for educational purposes. The disadvantages
of not having a computer and internet in home or not having permission to use them are annulled
with the fact of having computers in school. Based on this data I could integrate an activity that
use technology as a medium of a learning aid.

15. Based on the information gathered in this chart this group has a diverse preference of TV
programs. As a generalization they like to see children and educational programs. For example,
they like to see Discovery Kids, Disney Channel, Discovery Channel and local programs. I could
use this information in my lesson planning by creating examples based on the tv shows.

16. This chart shows that these students like a variety of music genres. Knowing this
information will help me to develop motivational techniques that are appealing to them and I
could integrate the reading of songs in poetry lessons or in part of speech lessons. I could use
different activities based on the method of Suggestopedia.
Integrating students interest in class will show them that the teacher is engaged in their
process of learning. The position of the student becomes the axis of education. My goal will be
taking advantage of all the interest of my practice group in order to maximize their learning
experiences.

17. This chart shows that the students spend their time in diverse activities. I was shocked
when I found that the majority of the students in this group spend their time in physical activites.
I was surprise because this generation tend to participate in sedentary activities which my
practice group participate too but it isn’t the norm. It also show that this group is very creative. I
will take in consideration this information in many ways. For example, I will make different
activities thst integrates their creativity. I will also think in hands on activities in where they can
integrates all their senses.

18. This chart shows that the students favorite class is English and least favorite is Spanish.
Elemetary students tend to like English because their inhibitions are low permiting them to speak
the language without reserves. Other aspect that may affect in their decision is that the teacher is
student-centered or not. They tend to feel comforatble in a setting where they are the focus of
attention.

19. This chart revealed that there is a variety of serious illnesses in this group. The 60% of
the students have a health condition that affects them in many aspects of their education. The
attendance of the students to the school will be affected by all health conditions presented in the
pie chart. This information is vital for me to know as their practice teacher. It is important to
identify those students who have a low sugar problem to always have a healthy snack when they
need it. In case of any emergency, this information is crucial in the teachrs hands in order to act
responsible to the situation.

20. This chart shows that the majority of the students’ fathers are high school graduates. This
data shows that to this parents is important to reach high school and graduate from it. Children
tend to follow the example presented in their homes.

21. This chart shows that the half of the fathers are currently employed. The 44% of the
information of the fathers is not available and a 6% is handicapped. It is to my concern two
things, the reasons why the information of some fathers is not available. One reason could be that
they do not want to be part of their children lives or the other reason could be that they are not
alive. I worry that these students does not have males models in their lives. Those students who
have their fathers are having the model of being hard workers.
This information help me to encourage values that these students may need in order to
transform my students into responsible and hard workers adults.

22. This chart shows that the most of the students’ mothers graduated from high school or an
Associate Degree. These mothers are models to follow. Their children will like to reach goals
attained by their parents. This could serve them as a motivation to pass all grade levels and
maybe continue on to college.

23. This chart shows that the 47% of the students’ mothers are unemployed or stay at home
moms. Those students could have an advantage over the rest of the group if their mothers are
engaged in their education. Having a parent at home means that the students could have
supervision in their assignments. The students who have both parents working might be at risk.
These students tend to have less supervision, which could mean that their parents do not
supervise if they are completing their homework. If the mother is the only one working or the
only parent at home its more diffucult to them to help their children in the school chores because
they have to do all the chores of the house and the responsibility of bringing money to their
homes.

24. I have learned very valuable information throughout this research. The group profile
made me realize that every detail may affect the cognitive and affective development in the
students. The awareness of the characteristics of our students is an important first step in
meeting their needs. Through this investigation I discovered the interest of the students and their
weaknesses and strengths. The information gathered in this document will help in improving my
lesson planning skills. I will integrate activities and use strategies and methodologies that are
focused on the students’ needs and styles of learning.
I learned how to work with a group profile and use the information for my benefit. Now I
have a better understanding of the group and how I will target each problem. I know that this
information is the least that I can found because there is more information that affects students’
progress. This investigation provided essential information about the student that I will use to
support my decisions in lesson planning, methods that I will use, motivation activities and other
services that I will be giving to my practice students in the class of English.

25. Universidad de Puerto Rico en Humacao
Departamento de Inglés
Práctica Docente
Nombre del estudiante: ___________________________________ Sexo: F_____M_____
A. Demográfico
1. Fecha de Nacimiento: ____________________________________ (mes/día/año)
2. Edad: ___________
3. Vives con:
madre_______ padre_______ ambos_______ tutor legal_______
4. Núcleo familiar (cantidad incluyendo al estudiante): _________
5. Religión:
_____Cristianismo
_____Testigo de Jehová
_____Judaísmo

26. _____Islámico
_____Budista
_____Ateo
6. Lugar de Nacimiento
_____Puerto Rico _________________________ (pueblo)
_____Estados Unidos
7. ¿Vivió en Estados Unidos? _____ Si _____No
8. Idioma(s) principal(es) _____ Español _____ Inglés _____ Ambos
9. En el hogar hay computadora: _____ Si _____ No
10. Estudiante hace uso de ella: _____ Si _____ No
11. De contestar que si a la premisa anterior mayormente el estudiante utiliza la computadora
para:
_____ Uso escolar _____ Diversión _____ Ambas
12. ¿Tiene internet en el hogar? _____ Si _____ No
13. De contestar que si a la premisa anterior mayormente el estudiante utiliza el internet para:
_____ Uso escolar _____ Diversión _____ Ambas

27. 14. ¿Utiliza la biblioteca escolar? _____ Si _____ No
B. Áreas de interés
1. Mencione tres programas de televisión que más le guste.
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
2. Mencione género de música favorito.
________________________________
3. Mencione tres pasatiempos.
________________________________
________________________________
________________________________
4. ¿Cuál es su clase favorita?

28. ________________________________
SherleyMarie Cordero Lopez