Setting and Context at Fort Collins High School
The School Community
Within my first couple of weeks at FCHS, I quickly learned how important and eminent the culture is to the students and teachers. Although the school relocated a number of years ago, you can feel the history that resides in it's walls. Lambkins are proud to bare their colors. For these reasons, the community is built on supporting one another and dignifying the school's diversity. Diversity is definitely a strength of the culture at FCHS. The student body is made of numerous different backgrounds, abilities, and cultures. It is not only evident, but also celebrated.
The diversity of the school is translated into the many varied options of extra-curriculars and ways to get involved. From ukulele club to peer tutoring, every student can feel that they have a place to thrive and contribute as their best selves. There is a plethora of clubs and organizations. Some examples include: Latino American Student Association, National Art Society, Fly Fishing Club, the list goes on.. In addition to these student lead activities, FCHS provides programs for integrated services, teen parents, gifted and talented students, etc. Alternative Cooperative Education is a program geared towards providing students with educated work experience within the school. These programs and activities, along with many others, act as an outlet and opportunity to students to thrive and evolve into the people that will make up the society of tomorrow.
Within my first couple of weeks at FCHS, I quickly learned how important and eminent the culture is to the students and teachers. Although the school relocated a number of years ago, you can feel the history that resides in it's walls. Lambkins are proud to bare their colors. For these reasons, the community is built on supporting one another and dignifying the school's diversity. Diversity is definitely a strength of the culture at FCHS. The student body is made of numerous different backgrounds, abilities, and cultures. It is not only evident, but also celebrated.
The diversity of the school is translated into the many varied options of extra-curriculars and ways to get involved. From ukulele club to peer tutoring, every student can feel that they have a place to thrive and contribute as their best selves. There is a plethora of clubs and organizations. Some examples include: Latino American Student Association, National Art Society, Fly Fishing Club, the list goes on.. In addition to these student lead activities, FCHS provides programs for integrated services, teen parents, gifted and talented students, etc. Alternative Cooperative Education is a program geared towards providing students with educated work experience within the school. These programs and activities, along with many others, act as an outlet and opportunity to students to thrive and evolve into the people that will make up the society of tomorrow.
Above are the Pillars of Excellence that FCHS is founded upon. These are the initiatives that each staff member strives to exemplify, and in turn, guide students to adopt and exemplify them as well. The administration especially focuses on putting these pillars on the forefront of education. They believe that before academics, comes acceptance, pride, integrity, respect, and responsibility. Education naturally follows suit.
With the community environment, comes parent involvement. There are numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer and be apart of their child's high school experience. Teachers and administration are as transparent as possible with their reasoning and values concerning education. They truly want each and every student to succeed, and that involves considering and respecting their home life.
With the community environment, comes parent involvement. There are numerous opportunities for parents to volunteer and be apart of their child's high school experience. Teachers and administration are as transparent as possible with their reasoning and values concerning education. They truly want each and every student to succeed, and that involves considering and respecting their home life.
Student Profile
The classes that I was a part of included 2D Design (an intro level course) and Painting 1 (an intermediate level course). I spent more time in 2D Design. But from the experience I had in Painting 1 it seemed that most, to all, of the students were engaged and had a true interest in what they were creating. They all had a good amount of prior knowledge of the elements and principles of design, such as value, balance, composition, etc. These students were in Painting 1 because of their personal interest in art as well as expanding their abilities. There were a couple of students that started attending the class half way through, because of schedule changes, etc. Those required more attention in order to have them catch up as much as possible. Other than that, the class was very independent.
There was a good amount of pop culture that was integrated into what was created, which is always the case. Allison Alter, their teacher and my cooperating teacher, tried her best to stay current. She had a authoritative energy within the classroom, but also did what she could to engage with each student individually. She knew each of them, their skill level and interests and allowed that to influence how she interacted with them.
As for 2D Design, I spend the majority of my time with this class and got to know each student a bit more personally. This was an intro level class, which means the skill level was all across the board. There a were a good amount of freshman, as well as all other ages. It was great to see how much more they all interacted and got more comfortable with each other towards the end of the year.
Daniel is a student who is in integrated services. His specific assignments were modified in order to suit to his needs. These modifications always evolved over time according to his ability and how he could be most successful. There were also a couple more students that needed a bit of a push to get things done, for various reasons. These reasons being low-cognitive ability which resulted in accommodations in their assignments, as well their lack in attendance. In cases of low attendance, all Allison could do was give them the opportunity to catch up as much as possible.
The classes that I was a part of included 2D Design (an intro level course) and Painting 1 (an intermediate level course). I spent more time in 2D Design. But from the experience I had in Painting 1 it seemed that most, to all, of the students were engaged and had a true interest in what they were creating. They all had a good amount of prior knowledge of the elements and principles of design, such as value, balance, composition, etc. These students were in Painting 1 because of their personal interest in art as well as expanding their abilities. There were a couple of students that started attending the class half way through, because of schedule changes, etc. Those required more attention in order to have them catch up as much as possible. Other than that, the class was very independent.
There was a good amount of pop culture that was integrated into what was created, which is always the case. Allison Alter, their teacher and my cooperating teacher, tried her best to stay current. She had a authoritative energy within the classroom, but also did what she could to engage with each student individually. She knew each of them, their skill level and interests and allowed that to influence how she interacted with them.
As for 2D Design, I spend the majority of my time with this class and got to know each student a bit more personally. This was an intro level class, which means the skill level was all across the board. There a were a good amount of freshman, as well as all other ages. It was great to see how much more they all interacted and got more comfortable with each other towards the end of the year.
Daniel is a student who is in integrated services. His specific assignments were modified in order to suit to his needs. These modifications always evolved over time according to his ability and how he could be most successful. There were also a couple more students that needed a bit of a push to get things done, for various reasons. These reasons being low-cognitive ability which resulted in accommodations in their assignments, as well their lack in attendance. In cases of low attendance, all Allison could do was give them the opportunity to catch up as much as possible.
The classroom I was in is 1 of 3 art classrooms at FCHS. Each of them has windows from floor ceiling and a good amount of room for creating. They are great environments for making art because of their openness and colorful walls. You can tell that there was a good amount of thought put into the way they're set up. Allison's classroom was always lively. She always had music on and made a point to circulate the classroom. The overall layout and feel of a classroom is the basis of productive and influential learning.