Group Session Transcription Intern: Kathy Parker 2/25/13

Start 9:00 Kathy- Ok, Richard, what about you? Richard- About what? Kathy- How did your quarter end, how you feeling about this quarter? Ricard- I only failed 2 classes, Math and York Kathy- (nodding) Math and York. Richard- I think Im going to be a lot better this quartert than I did last semester Aaron- No, your going to do well ( group laughs) Kathy- Oh, I know what it was, Marica said something that you did your homework, instead of sleeping, last night, and whats good about that is I think theres going to be things that you guys might need to look at this quarter and go- what do I need to change about what I normally do cuz theres a routine you do when you get home , you know Aaron- yeah Kathy and theres some things your going to have to change and sacrifice certain things Aaron- and thats what I did yesterday with my L/A homework Kathy- Go ahead, sorry Richard- no, thats it. Aaron- Ok, well, yesterday when I went home , ususally I just throw my backpack and forget about it for three years, and then yesterday , I actually sat down at the dinner table, so Im not going in my room and did all my homework, in front of my dad, so he was there. Thats something I changed. Kathy- Good Aaron- So thats what hes telling me I should do to just find another place to do your homework, finding different places that good for me I guess. Kathy- Um, yeah and that, once I score you homework preferences, thats one of the things on there do you like to stay in the same place all the time. Some of you are like same place, same place and some of you like to move around. Aaron- Yeah, I think I scored, I put , I like to stay in the same place but I experimented yesterday and I was like you know what I kind of like to do more things in a different place that dont have distractions and other stuff. Kathy- Um, while your saying that , why dont you guys take a look at your preferences. What do you guys feel about the same place, not the same place? Amy- Same place. Kathy- Yeah, I remember that about you. Marcia youre .. Marica-It dont matter Kathy-variable place, at least yours came out that way. Alycia- For me its been so long since I will actually do my homework at home. I think the last time I did all my homework consistenly for more than one day was probably 6th grade. Kathy- So where do you do your homework? Aaron- (points on table indicating at school)

Alycia- Yeah, I do it in my other classes. Kathy- You do it in your other classes,.. so what does it look like for you to do you homework at home right now? Alycia- I mean, I dont really have a place to do it.. Kathy- You dont have a place? Alycia- I dont know what it is about my room, evertime Im sitting in there and Im doing my homework, I find the most interesting things. I dont know what it is I just find the most interesting things. Kathy- Um huh, so you get distracted? Alycia- Very. Kathy- That is a good thing to be aware of .. So, it sounds like your do your work, most of your work in other classes and when you get home you dont.. Alycia- Yep, I put my backpack down, and I forget so much in there that Ill leave my gym clothes in there from Friday till Monday and Ill like open it in the middle of class and be like.. Aaron- Did something just die in my bag Alycia- DamnOh, I forgot about those.. thats how much I forget about my backpack. Kathy- So, who else does that, drops the backpack, leaves Marcia- Drops the back pack , leaves , forever(Aaron and Richard raise hands) Kathy- ok, so how many of you (looks around) not Amy, okhow many of you feel like you dont have a productive homework at home situation.? Okay, the three of you? Aaron- Thats what my dad was talking to me about yesterday. Kathy-ok, so take a lot at your thing ( and Aaron, Ill get yours to you Thursday). I highlight some major things and some of you came out that you need the background noise. You dont really like loudness but you like background noise.. Aaron- Like a fan. Marcia- Yeah, fans are the best. Aaron- Like I have that in my room, when ever I need to sleep or somehting, it just calms me down. Kathy- You can even turn on a radio, like if you even have a radio anymore. Um, to a non-station and get that white noise.. Amy- Its kinda scary.. Kathy- Is it scary? Well, if you dont have the white noise you can go online they have white noise sounds. Aaron- Yeah Kathy- ( interupted Aaron)White noise, I mean theres study on white noise and I dont know really all of them, but theres studies and they do help you calm and focus. So, if thats your think , I would encourage you to put background noise on. Im not saying some music or T.V. thing thats distracting, but, just something that helps you focus. One of you preferred eating or chewing and chewing actually helps you concentrate.. Aaron- Helps you concentrate and think Kathy- Um hum, so gum, I chew gum to ehlp me focus. Marcia, expecially you because yours came out high , so you may want to chew while you do your homework. Um, and then the set order Some of you really like the order and some dont really like a set order. So what do you guys want to do by Thursday? I would like to see you doing your homework at home. Is that possible for everybody.

Aaron- Yeah. Marcia- Its possible , but I dont want to. Aaron-There you go , its just that self, that self motivation . Alycia- Honestly, I just never really at my house. Kathy- Youre not. Alycia-My main goal is to never be there. Kathy- Your main goal it to never be at your house? Alycia- I just dont like being at my house. Kathy- Can you say more about that? Alycia-Usually if Im at my house , I m by myself, so I dont like sitting there. Kathy- Just dont like being there by yourself Alycia-And Im at my house and Im like Im going to watch T.V., nobodys home. Its not like ok lets do some homework yeah! Kathy- Ok, so whats you plan? You need to have a place a routine, order Are you a routine /order person- where you have a rythym for your homework. How do you see that? Is that somewhere else, is that staying afterschool? With Marcia doing it together? Marcia- Yeah, I think thats something I have to do cuz, I feel like I have to get work done Kathy- Are you doing your homework right now? (shakes head) Marcia- Yeah. Kathy- Put that away, you need to set aside time to do your homework. Nice motivation, but not the right time. (Marica laughs) Ok , so are your next period classes ok with you being a little late? Aaron- Yeah. Alycia-You just need a not, all the teachers, if you have a note, they cant say anything. Kathy- Ok, Im going to try and e-mail everyones teachers , but if you know ahead of time that theyre like no way , let me know.. what about you ( looking at Richard) Richard- I have Ms. Goulding. Kathy- Ok, Ill check in with her. So, you guys need to think about a routine where youre going to be doing your homework, especially if you dont have it. How many people really have a routine in place? So, Amy whats your routine? Amy- I usually get home, slack off for a bit and when its get to about 6:00 ish I do homework, then I shower, cuz I dont like showering after 8:00, then sometimes Im in a better mood after a shower then I do more homeork, Kathy- Un hum, good, so you stick with that routine pretty well? Amy- Yes. Kathy- Ok, anybody else have a routine? Aaron- Right when I go home I just start homework. I sit down , talk to my Dad and do homework. Kathy- But sometimes you said you put your backpack down and then you.. Aaron- But thats in my room, because in my kitchen, right when I get home from work I sit down and do my homework. Kathy-ok Aaron- Because, Im not going to have any more motivation after being in my room for hours doing whatever I want so my mindsets going to be on that while Im trying to do homework, which is impossible.

Alycia- Or like eveytime I get home Im like , Im going to get a snack, then do my homework after I eat my snack. Then Im like you know, Im really tired after I ate that snack , maybe I should just sit and wait another 15 mins. Then after 15mins. its like oh my gosh this is a great show ( Marcia nods) I have to watch this show. Marcia-Or like I have to finish this series , oh netflicks is like the devil. Kathy- So and your home alone at this time. Alycia- Yeah, so I have nobody around me going , arent you going to do your homework? Kathy Ok , so who has a suggestions for what Alycia should do? Aaron- Have a friend that will nag you about doing your hoemwork. Amy- Have someone text you.. Aaron- Yeah , have someone text you and say hey, did you do that one assignement? ALycia- I liked with when in middleschool we all had the same classes. All my friends now have no clue whats going on in my classes. Kathy- And you main struggles are York and Alycia- Yeah, and Im not good at chemistry. Tying to explain balaning equations is like trying to exppain quantum phisycs to me. Kathy-Ok , so Alycia need to find a place to do homework, a routine. So you keep thinking about that. Part of the power of the group is helping each other. So you guys can really be creative about how you can help yourself and others. Youre really just basically climbing a mountain together this quarter. Marcia-Can you stay after school today. Is that a magnet? Alycia- Yeah , sorry. Marcia- That was so much fun.. Kathy- What were you going to say Marcia? Marcia- Do you have time after school? Alycia- Yeah I could, I dont Marcia- Want to, yeah I know. Alycia Of course I dont want to, but I mean thats a good option cuz Im already here and I have it fresh in my head. Aaron- Yeah ,a nd while youre here its just like school is on your mind. So youre like living in the moment and once you get outside of schoo.. Alycia-Its not just the going home part its like the trip of going home part. Because once youre out of school youre like , wow. If I had a car it would be so much easier. Kathy- Do you have a long bus ride? Alycia- Well its not huge, Im not going to West Seattle, but you still have to get on the bus, then walk home from the bus stop, then when you get home you gotta eat your snack, because of course youre hungary. Kathy- Ok, so Alycia may be staying after school does anybody else think that is a good idea? Marcia-Yeah, I think Ill do that too. Kathy- Do you guys want to do that together? ( Marcia shakes head with food in mouth) Alycia- Yeah ( points to Marcia) Kathy- That sounds like a yeah. Aaron- That sounds like a yeah , a definite yes. Kathy- Ok, so now tell me what does that look like?

Alycia- We will just stay after school in the library. Kathy- Are you talking every day , how long? Marcia- Monday through Thursday. Wait , I work on Mondays Kathy- Ok. so you guys work on that , because of time (looks at Aaron) Youre working with your dad, you feel thats a good routine for you ( looks at Aaron- he says yeah) And you have a routine ( looks at Amy) And what about you ( looks at Richard) how are you going to fit in your homework? (chatter) Hey guys, we are brainstorming for Richard now Alycia- You could stay after school with us.. Richard- I already stay afterschool. Marcia- Well, you work out.. Aaron-Wait , do you have any time before? Richard- I have 20 minutes. Aaron- 20 min cram time bro. Kathy- Now whats this work out afterschool time , is that something you can sacrifce a day or two? Alycia- Is there days you dont go work out? Aaron- No, hes stuck on a routine, he needs that Alycia- I was pretty sure there wasnt, but.. Kathy- Are there a couple day you could not go? Richard- I dont think coach T would be happy with me. Marcia- Yeah, he not going to try and not go. Kathy- So, this is a sports thing? Richard- Well, first Louie starting meeting with him then we all did. Kathy-Can you talk to your coach and say, academically I need time to do my homework. Is there a way I could not come twice a week ( Richard is nodding) What does that sound like to you. Is that something you would like to try to do, or.. Richard- Yeah, I could not go on Monday or Wedneday or something like that. Kathy- And then you could hook up with these guys. Alycia- We wont bite, we are fun. Kathy- I dont know, I dont want to force it , but is sounds like you need a routine and you are a strong preference for working in groups. Aaron- Heeeeeey Kathy- So, tell me what youre thinking about. Right now Richard- Going to talk to coach T afterschool. Session Summary The main goals of this group are to give students who are behind in credits good study skills and organization skills to improve their homework completion. This group seems to work together well and participate in discussions. The goal of this session was to go over their homework preferences and evaluate how they match up to what they are doing now. I feel like we did that on different levels with each student. A lot of time was

spent on Alycia. When we started to problem solve with her that seemed to help some other students as well, such as Marcia and Richard. Amy seemed to have a routine and did not need as much support. (A few sessions later she also agrees to attend the afterschool study group, as most of the group has the same L/A teacher.) I also felt like the group was pretty supportive of each other and inclusive. The group members have good intentions and want to do well in their work, but seem to have trouble with follow-through. I am concerned they often say what I want to hear and are not internalizing the changes they need to make. Maybe they dont know how. Many of the students may not be able to graduate on time and even with this knowledge they still are not turning in their homework. They said two weeks ago they were going to try to go to the library together. They have not yet successfully met. Being overwhelmed is also a common theme among the group. Many times I have heard the students say they help their friends get their homework in, but they dont help themselves. In our next group, I want to focus on how each group member feels about themselves, their self-image. I wonder if they dont value themselves as much as their friends. They all seem to lack motivation to do their work. Many times the students will say they liked the structure of middle school when everyone had the same lasses and knew what was due. I also would like to continue with tracking what is due each week and give the students an assignment sheet. As I watched this video, I noticed a few things I want to work on in the next session. I cut off or interrupted a few students and didnt get back to what they were saying. I feel I need to leave more space for students to finish their thoughts. I sometimes feel rushed to get somewhere, as we only have to lunch period, so I dont give as much time as needed. At times some of the group members were not engaged, so I would like to make more effort to bring them in. One question I have is how to engage Richard and Amy more. They seem to be in different places in their struggles compared to the other students.