Prompt #2
The make up of the class that I am volunteering in is largely Spanish speaking. About a third are African American and there is at least one girl who appears to be white. Most seem proficient on their speaking ability and very little Spanish is heard on the class.  Clearly the reading group levels are distinct, with the highest reading more difficult material.  I see the teacher accommodating individuals who need a little more help or repeating directions when needed. This may be because their English is not as proficient as others. 
Other than this intervention, I do not see a lot of cultural sensitivity in the classroom. I heard the teacher gossiping with another teacher about how one student's mother does not respond to notes, does not communicate well. It seems to me could be a direct result of a language barrier. The ultimate challenge is to be able to successfully run a classroom and bring the essential ingredients of sensitivity toward individual circumstances into it. If we paint our students with the same brush they may not benefit as much, on the other hand they may at times arise to the challenge of doing well despite their differences. They were writing a paragraph on what they would like to share with their neighbors.  One boy couldn't think of anything. I suggested that maybe it did not have to a thing, maybe he could share by playing something with his neigbor in the yard. He said,"We don't have a yard."  I realized it is important to be sensitive to the students' circumstances and not make assumptions such as having a yard. Clearly diverse circumstances of students bring challenges for the teacher to sharpen her sensitivity toward diverse populations.