Learning With Communities/Community Observation

Amanda Anderson
TED 5160, Dr. Donna Jones
Wayne State University
September 13, 2014

Description Questions:

Describe the people you see as you drive around.

o While driving around for this assignment, I only saw elderly women walking around;
everyone else must have been inside, working, or driving because when I drive to my
placement in the mornings I see a lot more people walking around. While I was driving,
I tried to notice the types of people driving also. There were Caucasians, African
Americans, people from the Middle East, Hispanics, and others. The different types of
students I see walking in the halls and in the classroom during my placement also
confirms this observation.

Where do people live?

o I saw mainly two different types of areas where people lived. One neighborhood was
called Palmer Woods State. It was the higher end of the homes. You had to have special
access or some sort of a card to swipe in order to get into the neighborhood. There were
No Trespassing signs everywhere. From the outside looking in, all the houses were at
least two stories with a big yard. The open neighborhoods consisted of homes that
mostly all looked the same. They were one level, with average size lawns. Every once
in a while you would see a house with an added-on second level.

Describe any support you notice for specific diverse populations.

o There were cut cubs everywhere. In the restricted neighborhood, there were signs
warning people to be careful because there was a blind resident.

Describe public or other institutions that you see.

o There were a lot of different churches. They included: a Baptist church, a Catholic
church, a Presbyterian church, the Central Church, and the Gospel Life church. All

within two miles of each other. There is Warren Mott High School, and Beer Middle
School in the area I drove. There was also a daycare called Creative Child Care, a
driving school, and a Voice and Dance Academy.

Are there health and social service agencies? What is the role of these resources in the
community?
o Yes, there were quite a few health and social service agencies. I saw: medical offices, a
foot/ankle specialists, a dermatology clinic, eye-care offices, the Oakland Family
Practice, a walk-in urgent care, a family dentistry, a walk-in medical clinic, physical
therapy, and even a veterinary hospital. The role of these services is to help the
surrounding residence live a healthier life. The doctor offices most likely bill to
insurances and charge more for their services. The walk-in clinics most likely have
reduced prices for families without insurance. There was also a Rite Aid and CVS
Pharmacy in the area.

What commercial uses of land do you see?

o The land is really crowded with all the commercial buildings. There are many fast food
places (Taco Bell, McDonalds, Subway, Wendys, KFC, Burger King, Checkers,
Jimmy Johns), some fast-casual restaurants (Jets Pizza, Green Lantern, bar and grills),
and very few sit-down restaurants (Texas Road House, Salvador, Scaloppini). There
were plenty of gas stations, and liquor stores. As far as grocery stores I only saw one,
but there were plenty of shopping centers (K-Mart, Target, Burlington Coat Factory,
Marshalls, Phone stores and more). I saw many different banks types of services
within the short driving distance as well (TCF Bank, Comerica Bank, Michigan
Schools and Government Credit Union, Charter One, Huntington Bank, Oil change

places, Goodyear Tire, Bell Tire, Century-21, State Farm, Public Storage, Progressive
Auto Insurance, Tanning Salons, and more).

What transportation is available in the community?

o The only form of public transportation that I saw was the Smart Buses. There are
school buses specifically for the students to get to school and home, but also to go to
the technical school. A lot of people ride their bikes or walk, but the majority of people
in the area drive their own cars. Access to highways, 1-75 and 696, are easily
accessible.

What recreation is available?

o There is a playground by the child day care and by one of the schools in the area. When
you go further south, there are also a few different city parks embedded in the
neighborhoods. Most of them have play structures, while some have baseball diamonds,
basketball courts, tracks, skate parks, and etc. I also saw a bowling alley.

Describe any industry you may see.

o There was some type of manufacturing plant, but that building is now abandoned, along
with many others. Most of the area seems to be used for commercial type businesses.

Describe protective services in the community.

o The only protective service I saw was the Fire Department across the street from the
High School.

Describe billboards/signs that reflect the character of the community.

o As I drive through the housing area, many of the homes had Garage Sale signs and
American flags. There was a surprising amount of voting signs and posters hanging or

in peoples yards. The roads had many Construction and Road Work signs. A lot of
the building had Space for Lease/Available signs.

Describe the environmental factors that you noticed may impact learning at your school.
o Like I mentioned earlier, there were many abandoned buildings. There was some
construction in the area, which seemed to increase the amount of traffic. Most people
drive in the area, which can be dangerous when students are walking and/or riding their
bikes. I didnt see any Library, so that might not be easily accessible for a lot of
students. I also didnt notice a police station. I also know that the flood we had a couple
weeks ago hit many of the homes; so Im sure that many of them are facing some
unexpected financial hardships.

Analysis and Implications of Community Assets and Issues:

What assets have you discovered in this community?

o There seems to be a public educational service starting from daycare all the way
through high school. There are also many walk-in clinics/urgent-care centers or other
health related offices for every range of income. The community has plenty of options
as far as outside activities (parks and etc). Churches often have many community
programs (and there are many different denominations in the area). There are many
commercial businesses, which means opportunities for students to get after school jobs
(this is also a negative and will be discussed in further detail later on). In some cases
this can help build students work ethic and start them on a journey of time
management.

What do you think are some of the issues with which the school in this community must
address?
o The school must address the language barriers that accompany having a diverse
community. Many students in the schools are ESL students, which means all teachers
must be prepared. Along with diversity comes the necessity to educate students on
different views and cultures. As mentioned earlier, students have the opportunity to get
after-school jobs. This can also be a negative because it might cause students to get
distracted from their schoolwork and focus more on their job. Students may work
long or late hours, causing them to be tired during school. There must be a balance, and
the student must be disciplined. Teachers will have to take this into account when
deciding on how much homework is necessary. A lot of families are in need of
reduced/free lunch. So the school must also work to provide that as well.

Reflective Narrative:

What have you learned about the community that will impact your actions as a teacher?
o I have learned that you cant expect your students to come to class and be on the same
level. Some will have to deal with language barriers, some have financial issues, some
walk to school, and others take the bus or drive. Some students will have family
support, others wont. Every student will come to class with a different struggle. I as
the teacher will have to try and develop lessons or find resources that will level the
playing field as much as possible. I will have to: talk slower for ESL students, be
available before/after school for questions, give plenty of time for assignments, give
realistic assignments, be culturally aware/sensitive, and etc. I have also learned that the

residents seem to be very involved in the city themselves. Many homes had American
flags, which demonstrate patriotism and many homes displayed political voting signs.
That tells me that the majority of the area cares about their neighborhood and has a
sense of pride in their community. With that in mind, its important for me to be up to
date on local happenings.

How can you use the assets of the community to plan curriculum and support your
teaching?
o The activities I plan in my classroom could get the students themselves involved in the
community. Allowing them to learn about their community and the students around
them. Creating a safe environment in my classroom is key. The assets that I try to
incorporate in the curriculum will have to be free and easily accessible to the students.

What could your role be as a teacher in this community?

o My role as a teacher in this community could extend beyond my classroom. There will
be times when students come to me expressing a personal situation, and I may have to
direct them to resources that will help. I may also be the only person they have that
knows the content we are studying. So I will have to learn different ways of explaining
content. I may be the only person that believes or encourages the students. I will have
to come ready, excited, and engaging. I will hold high but realistic expectations, and in
the end, the students will know that I care. Most of all, I will have to be approachable.

How will you get to know your students and their families?
o Getting to know the students will start on day one. I will try and connect with the
students so that they can let me know of any important situations. I will also develop a
relationship with parents by sending a welcome letter home, emailing, calling home

(for good and bad news) and meeting them personally at conferences. I will also
volunteer at the school for fundraisers, organizations, and etc.

How will you use what you learned from your observations to build relationships with
students and families?
o This community observation assignment has demonstrated that none of the
students/families have the same home situations or backgrounds. I will have to learn
about different cultures, learn how to communicate with individuals who dont speak
English fluently, and more. I will also have to learn how to deal with situations where
the student doesnt have support from the family. Some parents dont get involved and
sadly, some dont care. In those situations I will have to convince the student to take
serious interest in his/her education.

How might you get to know more about this community?

o I could get to know more about the community by participating in community events,
talking with fellow teachers and administrators, and listening to parents and students.
Also, the longer I am at the school or at least in the district, the more familiar I will
become with the area. I could also research some of the history in the area, read the
local newspapers, and network with important people in the community.