This weeks readings were very insightful. The idea of having structure and routines in their writing workshops is vital to the success of the workshop. I've seen how routines can make things that look crazy and chaotic but they are really organized and structured. When I asked my teacher how does it work and how does she get her students to understand what to do about getting water after recess she replied it's "organized chaos". I can imagine it taking the first week of school to get the system engraved into the student's minds. She also showed that she constantly changes the routine if something doesn't work to better fit the condition of the class at that time. These traits and qualities also occur in the classroom during instruction.
The five outlined ways to do things in the readings are also shown in the classroom during instruction. Since writing instruction was not observed in detail this week (due to an assembly and media center time) for the two days I was present, I really have not seen how the writing process and the curriculum taught by my MT really works. I'm interested to see this in action this week after reading this chapter. I will note that my teacher allows her students to grade book reports in front of the class while they all tell why the project and paper should get the grade that they do. She does allow them to select from a wide list of projects but I haven't decided if that's a good thing or not yet.
Pulling students together for whole group discussion on a project or writing or poem (as in chapter 13) would be a great solution for the "problem" above. This allows the students to see how the project should be done without letting them critique each others work in front of the entire class. This can avoid any embarrassing moments that the children may experience. The idea of the projects slightly fit along the same lines of the show and tell section in the readings also. Children learn when they can make connections to things and allowing them to learn from each other through whole class discussion will allow them to make those personal connections that will hopefully allow the material to stick in their minds.
Monday, January 31, 2011
EDEC Week 2
Week 2 at Cleveland Road Elementary was even more amazing than the first week. I'm learning more and more about the children in my classroom and they seem to be learning more about me. I'm enjoying learning more about the actual life of a teacher. I'm able to make copies and do other simple task such as grade papers.
My students are amazing. They are able to make me laugh and they genuinely love life. A child's laughter is a wonderful thing and it makes me happy to be one of the people who get's to make them laugh. The students are begining to understand my role in the classroom as an athoritative figure and they simply respect and respond to my requests. The students love to play freeze dance and this is a great tool to use when the students have been sitting for a little while.
Lastly, my MT is awesome. She does the many small details that seperates the great teachers from simply being a good teacher. She told me that as a teacher you have to pick your battles. The thing that amazed me was watching as she carefully and specifically picked her battles. She allowed the her students to understand that they are human beings as well and that they will be respected in the classroom by simply letting children be children, but not letting them "take over the classroom". My teacher has been teaching for 12 years and I hope to one day be as good with my students as she is now.
My students are amazing. They are able to make me laugh and they genuinely love life. A child's laughter is a wonderful thing and it makes me happy to be one of the people who get's to make them laugh. The students are begining to understand my role in the classroom as an athoritative figure and they simply respect and respond to my requests. The students love to play freeze dance and this is a great tool to use when the students have been sitting for a little while.
Lastly, my MT is awesome. She does the many small details that seperates the great teachers from simply being a good teacher. She told me that as a teacher you have to pick your battles. The thing that amazed me was watching as she carefully and specifically picked her battles. She allowed the her students to understand that they are human beings as well and that they will be respected in the classroom by simply letting children be children, but not letting them "take over the classroom". My teacher has been teaching for 12 years and I hope to one day be as good with my students as she is now.
Monday, January 24, 2011
LLED Ray Ch. 1-5
Many people believe that the classroom is supposed to be a place where teachers lecture children as they sit quietly and take notes. This could not be further from the truth! A classroom should be where children go to express themselves freely. Some may want to get away from issues at home or simply feel that being at school encourages them to be whatever they set their minds to. This was the case for me atleast. I loved being at school. No arguing with mom about chores or fighting with my little brother about who plays the games first. I could go and be Quez and enjoy my time learning and being challenged by my teachers. I want my students to have the same experinces.
I have had the pleasure of seeing the writing process in action both last semester and already in my 2 days of field work this semester. The process is fundamental but if taught correctly can drastically change a child's writing technique into something amazing. Reflecting back on the writing process I really feel as though it helped with the structure of writing when I took the 5th grade, 8th grade, and high school writing tests! Children should learn how to place their thoughts on paper. It gives them a sence of ownership. Noone else can steal their thoughts and a child thinking is a powerful thing!
After these readings I see the importance of having a writing workshop in the classroom. I never thought to have this before. We only discussed reading workshops in our past classes (well atleast in detail). I hope to continue to learn more about the importance of writing. Whether we feel our writing is good or bad, it's ours and we should never shy away from saying what is on our minds. Even if that means writing it down on a sheet of paper!
I have had the pleasure of seeing the writing process in action both last semester and already in my 2 days of field work this semester. The process is fundamental but if taught correctly can drastically change a child's writing technique into something amazing. Reflecting back on the writing process I really feel as though it helped with the structure of writing when I took the 5th grade, 8th grade, and high school writing tests! Children should learn how to place their thoughts on paper. It gives them a sence of ownership. Noone else can steal their thoughts and a child thinking is a powerful thing!
After these readings I see the importance of having a writing workshop in the classroom. I never thought to have this before. We only discussed reading workshops in our past classes (well atleast in detail). I hope to continue to learn more about the importance of writing. Whether we feel our writing is good or bad, it's ours and we should never shy away from saying what is on our minds. Even if that means writing it down on a sheet of paper!
EDEC Week 1
Hello blog followers! I'm excited to tell about my first two days in my new school. Cleveland Road Elementary school is AMAZING!!!! I know that as teachers we should never say that one school or class (or student) is better than any other one but this school is very unique. The students respond so well to their teachers. I'm sure that as the semester moves along their will be behavioral problems and such but for now I am thoroughly enjoying my new group of students.
My class is "different" to say the least. I have 2 students that are in the Special Education program and I have 2 more students who are in their "hard of hearing" program. We have multiple Signers coming in throughout the day to help with the instruction given by my teacher.
Did I mention that my MT is the coolest MT EVER! This is not to say that I didn't enjoy my time in my classroom last semester or enjoy my time learning from my MT last semester. I feel that Mrs. Allen will teach me much more and this will add to my artillery of educational weapons that can then explode through the minds and hearts of the class! I can't wait to do more!
My class is "different" to say the least. I have 2 students that are in the Special Education program and I have 2 more students who are in their "hard of hearing" program. We have multiple Signers coming in throughout the day to help with the instruction given by my teacher.
Did I mention that my MT is the coolest MT EVER! This is not to say that I didn't enjoy my time in my classroom last semester or enjoy my time learning from my MT last semester. I feel that Mrs. Allen will teach me much more and this will add to my artillery of educational weapons that can then explode through the minds and hearts of the class! I can't wait to do more!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Intro Blog
So.....I've just created a blog. I hope to not only use this blog for class but to continuously speak my mind about the various and continuously changing topics in Education! I love children and education is my passion. Fasten your seat belts, open your minds, and get ready for Words From Super Sigma 5!
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