Ashley Allen

Student Learning Profiles

3-14-14

Student Profile
Name of student: Abby (this name is a pseudonym) _
Grade level: _Kindergarten__
Describe the students learning differences in the area of disability and/or giftedness: (How does this
student differ from typical classmates?
Abby has not been formally identified with a disability, however she needs a great deal of support in
the area of reading and writing. A large portion of the year has been dedicated to teaching the students the
letters of the alphabet, along with their sounds. At this point, many students are able to identify letter sounds
relationship and use this skill to assist them in both reading and writing words (mostly CVC words at this time).
Abby struggles with this skill. She is still practicing letter sound relationships, which makes reading and writing
a bit difficult for her. She is beginning to practice reading and writing, however since she is still developing her
skill to identify letter to sound relationships, she needs a great deal of assistance in these areas.

Based on observations and inventories, what are this students learning styles in the areas of Multiple
Intelligences, learning styles, preference for group or individual work, etc?
After completing a Multiple Intelligence interview with Abby, I found that she is both an interpersonal
and musical learner. The results of this activity lead me to believe that Abby would benefit from activities
such as discussing content learned with classmates or working on tasks with a partner or small group. She may
also benefit from the use of songs and rhymes to memorize and recall important facts being learned in the
classroom. Abby expressed to me that she does not like completing individual work. This has shown through
in the times I have observed Abby in the classroom. She is often talking with classmates and seems much more
attentive when working with others, or while completing instruction as a whole class. Based on observations,
it seems that Abby is much more comfortable when receiving help and support from her peers and
classmates, than she is when completing individual tasks.
Abby scored high as a spatial learner as well. Abby would benefit from opportunities to express her
knowledge through art and instruction that expose her to a number of images that display content being
learned.

What are this students interests?

Abby really enjoys outdoor activities. She loves running around and playing outside after school. Abby
enjoys swimming in the summer as well. Abby plays soccer and told me that she really likes to dance and listen
to music, especially Taylor Swift. Taylor is her favorite singer.
Please describe how you came to these conclusions about student interests.
I gathered this information through conversations with Abby. After administrating the Multiple
Intelligence inventory, I took some time to ask Abby about herself. I asked her to tell me about sports and
activities she participates in, what she likes to do at home, and if she has a favorite singer or actress.

Based on your pre-assessment, please describe this students strengths and weaknesses regarding the
content of your unit.
Strengths: Abby is aware that the continent we live on is called North America. This demonstrates to
me that Abby is familiar with the concept of continents. This will be helpful background knowledge to have
and relate to when learning about the different continents and places traveled (where Columbus was sailing
from, where he was going, where the continents are located).
During the discussion portion of the pre-assessment, Abby did share one prediction. She
thought that traveling may be difficulty because it can get dark and hard to see. This shows that Abby does
have a general idea of trips, and is able to understand that there may be troubles on trips.
Weaknesses: Abby lacks background knowledge of explorers and Christopher Columbus (who he was,
what he wanted). The pre-assessment also leads me to believe she is unfamiliar with the Pilgrims (the fact that
they traveled somewhere new and met new people who lived in this new place). One misconception Abby,
along with many of her classmates had, was that long, long ago people traveled from place to place by plane.
Attach pre-assessment with pseudonym.

Student Profile
Name of student: _Dan (pseudonym) __
Grade level: _Kindergarten__
Describe the students learning differences in the area of disability and/or giftedness: (How does this
student differ from typical classmates?
After working with and observing Dan, I have identified him as a student who is gifted. Dan easily
grasps new concepts and skills introduced into the classroom. Along with this, Dan often gives detailed
responses and explanations of his work.
At this point in the year, many of the students are continuing to work on writing and identifying CVC
words, Dan however has already mastered these skills. He is able to read with little assistance and is one of
three students who will soon begin creating/writing their own short stories.
Dan has a genuine interest in learning. He is always focused on the task. Dan is attentive and highly
interactive during group discussions as well.

Based on observations and inventories, what are this students learning styles in the areas of Multiple
Intelligences, learning styles, preference for group or individual work, etc?
Based on the Multiple Intelligences Inventory I administrated to Dan, he is an interpersonal and spatial
learner. Interestingly, Dan expressed to me that he prefers working on tasks alone, rather than with his
classmates or teacher (perhaps this is because he enjoys the challenge of completing a task without
assistance). However, based on observations, it seems Dan does enjoy helping his peers. I often see him
keeping others on task and assisting his group mates who need help. It seems that when it comes to his
assignments, he would prefer to work alone, however he is more than willing to help others with their
assignments. Dan scored high on a bodily kinesthetic, intrapersonal, and musical as well. I think Dan would
benefit from a variety of forms of instruction. It seems he likes the responsibility of helping others, but longs
for the challenge of working tasks out independently as well. I think he would also benefit from tasks that
keep him up and moving, along with ones that incorporate rhymes and song. I feel Dan has a variety of
interests and strengths, and it would be best to give him a wide range of opportunities to explore content and
express learning.

What are this students interests?

Dan is an extremely active young boy. He plays soccer year round, both indoor and outdoor. He also
takes gymnastics class a few days a week. Dan is a big fan of both soccer and hockey, he really loves to watch
both sports. Dan told me he also loves to go sledding outside and play with his ninja turtles and Legos. Dan
said he is very busy, but likes to find time to write and draw in a journal he keeps to record what he does each
day.

Please describe how you came to these conclusions about student interests.
Like I did with Abby, I had the opportunity to sit down and ask Dan about himself and the things he
likes to do, toys he likes to play with, etc.
Based on your pre-assessment, please describe this students strengths and weaknesses regarding the
content of your unit.
Strengths: Dan is aware of the continent we live on. Again, this will be helpful background knowledge
to have and relate to when learning about the different continents and places traveled to and from. Dan
already has a bit of background knowledge of Columbus and the Pilgrims as well. He is familiar with a few facts
surrounding Columbus and the Pilgrims, such as what Columbus wanted and the idea that the Pilgrims came
to a new land, where they met people who were living there. He expressed further knowledge during the
group discussion portion of the pre-assessment. Dan explained to the class that Columbus sailed to America.
When I asked the class who they thought paid for trips to new places, Dan offered the idea that Kings and
Queens would pay. Dan raised his hand multiple times throughout the class discussion. To me, this
engagement suggests that Dan feels comfortable with and is interested in this upcoming topic of Columbus
and the Pilgrims.
Weaknesses: Dan lacks background knowledge about explorers. He was unable to identify an
explorers job, and was unaware that Christopher Columbus was an explorer (however, he did know Columbus
went to the Americas, which leads me to believe he understands who Columbus is, just does not understand
or has not been introduced to the term explorer). Like many of his classmates, Dan also carried the
misconception that long, long ago, people traveled by plane.
Attach pre-assessment with pseudonym.