Background
Herbert Hoover Middle School is located just west of downtown San Jose, California. It is one of six middle schools in the San Jose Unified School district. Most of the families served by Hoover Middle School live in the downtown area. Hoover is classified as a Title I school. With enrollment in San Jose Unified currently declining due to the high cost of living in Santa Clara County, the size of Hoover’s population typically fluctuates year over year.
Currently, Hoover’s population is comprised of approximately 1,100 students. More than 700 Hoover students qualify for free or reduced lunch. The school’s Ethnic Diversity Index score was characteristically low (26 out of 100), with 77% of all students self-reporting their ethnicity as Hispanic or Latino. Six hundred fifty Hoover students claimed a primary language other than English, with 327 of those ELA students assessed as English Learners (not yet fluent in English). Spanish was the predominant first language of the English Learners at Hoover (96%).3,4
Hispanic students have scored behind other subgroups in both Language Arts and Mathematics on state testing, so reaching this group in ways that are meaningful and accessible is important in my unit.
When my students are able to make connections to my Science curriculum because it seems relevant to their lives, their interest and participation are typically high. Most of my students enjoy Science, particularly when we are doing hands-on activities or group work. When they are learning about things they can carry into their daily lives, my students are excited and eager to apply themselves. My students work best when solving challenges that relate to their daily lives. A handful of my students take pride in their leadership skills and ability to influence others.
Many of my students come from low-income families and face difficult social and emotional challenges at home. One of my driving goals as a teacher is to help each of my students understand the positive impact they can have through their actions and attitudes. Frequently, I can reinforce this using my Science lessons.
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