Maria's first week in Mrs. Jefferys's 5th grade class

Maria is a 10-year-old girl who recently moved to the United States from Mexico. Spanish is her native language, and while she can understand English reasonably well, she struggles with speaking and writing it. She finds it challenging to communicate with her classmates in English and often feels left out during group activities.

In the classroom, Maria is quiet and reserved, hesitant to participate in discussions or ask questions.

One day, during a science experiment, Maria struggled to understand the instructions given by the teacher. She hesitated to ask for clarification, fearing that her English proficiency would make her stand out. As she observed her classmates working together and chatting excitedly, Maria felt a sense of isolation.

Across the room, Ethan, a gifted student, noticed Maria's hesitation and approached her with a friendly smile. He offered to help her understand the experiment and patiently explained the steps in simpler terms. Maria felt relieved and grateful for his assistance.

Ethan is a 10-year-old boy who excels academically and is considered gifted. He possesses advanced linguistic abilities and demonstrates a keen interest in language arts and literature. In the classroom, Ethan eagerly participates in discussions, offering insightful comments and asking thought-provoking questions. 

In addition to his academic development, Ethan also displays strong social skills, fostering positive relationships with his peers through empathy, kindness, and inclusive behavior.