Well, I'm pretty sure I've already done this blog. But I guess I will write it again! I'm so excited that this semester is almost over. I'm ready to move to the next phase of my education- taking the GACE and student teaching. I've been lining up babysitting jobs for the summer.
I've learned a lot about myself this semester. I've learned more about my teaching styles, what I like and don't like in the class, and things I want to incorporate in my classroom. I've also learned about the struggle to juggle personal life and school life. I've had a lot of distractions this semester but still managed to focus on what I need to do.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Children's Posts
These are some of the students' posts I found on teacher's blogs. It was interesting to read what they had to say. I even watched an inspirational video on one about "famous failures." The final quote in the movie was "If you've never failed, you've never lived."
http://hungryforlearning.blogspot.com/2011/04/if-youve-never-failed.html?showComment=1302036744770#c5237821402604598369
http://kidblog.org/MrsSalernosClass/rachelf11/the-wax-museum/#comment-132
http://kidblog.org/MrsSalernosClass/ethan670/homework-blog-1-11/#comment-133
http://hungryforlearning.blogspot.com/2011/04/if-youve-never-failed.html?showComment=1302036744770#c5237821402604598369
http://kidblog.org/MrsSalernosClass/rachelf11/the-wax-museum/#comment-132
http://kidblog.org/MrsSalernosClass/ethan670/homework-blog-1-11/#comment-133
Monday, March 28, 2011
Teaching Fun!
Well, where do I begin? It's been hard getting back into the swing of classes since our two week break for field experience and spring break. I really love being in second grade. Most weeks those are the days I look forward to the most. At this point in my college career I am ready to be done and move on. I'm ready to be in the classroom teaching. I was so proud of myself last week on Friday because I came up with a lesson on short notice (during specials) and the kids loved it and had a lot of fun. I taught them about the life cycle of plants and let me draw (and color!!) their own plant life cycle. This week each student is going to put a lima bean in a sandwich baggie to watch it sprout at school. I'm also going to let me plant some flower seeds to take home and watch grow. The students are going to make biodegradable planter pots with newspaper with a nifty pot maker my science teacher is letting me borrow. Needless to say, I'm ready to be finished with school and start teaching.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Ch. 12 and Field Experience
I had a fabulous time during my field experience for the full week. I taught a unit on Georgia's regions and incorporated a reader's theater that the kids absolutely loved. I also divided the students into five groups and gave them children's informational books on GA to find their information. This relates to Ray's book because of the unit of study on geography. I think units are a great way to keep kids focused and for them to know what is expected. Units are also a great way to integrate subjects like I did with geography. I also did a science lesson on energy and had my students write an imaginative piece.
I really liked Ray's idea to do a unit on a topic I absolutely love as a teacher. This will bring a lot of enthusiasm and creativity in the classroom. It also gives me something to build on every year. Also at the beginning of the year the class could come up with a unit they want to study and write about. This allows students to be involved and have a voice/choice.
I really liked Ray's idea to do a unit on a topic I absolutely love as a teacher. This will bring a lot of enthusiasm and creativity in the classroom. It also gives me something to build on every year. Also at the beginning of the year the class could come up with a unit they want to study and write about. This allows students to be involved and have a voice/choice.
Monday, February 21, 2011
First I have a question that I'm really curious about- how do teachers spend time writing while their students write if they are supposed to conference with students during the writer's workshop?
A strong teacher presence in the classroom really helps with class management. I see that in my field placement. Also having materials for students to use is important so students feel they can help themselves and be responsible. My mentor teacher teaches the students a lot about using their resources. Students readily get dictionaries and use the word wall. My classroom is low on space because we are in a "learning cottage" but students all stay at their seats. I like Katie's idea about transitions even happening without the teacher but think that might need to be the teacher's responsibility or even use a timer so a student is not distracted by keeping the time. I liked when Katie said "The best way to manage 'distractions' in the writing workshop is to have plenty of 'attractions' for the students as writers." This is true and will help keep students focused during writing workshop. I had never thought about the creativity that various papers will bring, such as shaped paper and stationary or bordered paper.
One aspect of my own classroom that I am excited to create is a reading/writing corner. I have always wanted to create a comfortable area for students will comfortable pillows and chairs for reading and it can be an option for writing too. I have an idea to make it look like a jungle in the amazon. I also plan to have influences from around the world in my classroom, from trips that I have taken and cultures of my students.
I am definitely one of those teachers who like control and will want to be sure everyone is on task. I really like what Katie says about the environment during writer's workshop and forewarning me that it will feel "out of my control." I liked that she reminded me that it is NOT the behavior that is out of control, but the students' different writing decisions. No teacher wants their classroom behavior to be out of control.
I love the idea of getting students to publish regularly. The type of "workshop" I am seeing drives students to "publish" meaning 'turn in your final draft that has been edited by a teacher' by Friday or you finish during recess. I partially think this method is helping because fewer and fewer students have to finish during recess. The problem with this "workshop" is that the students do not get to write about anything. They get some choice, like who to write about for their special person OR during the "how to" week they chose a topic, but they have to use a certain format. We are trying to teach them how to write paragraphs and use details in each paragraph. The students want to write one sentence per paragraph.
I love what Katie thinks about deadlines and giving them to students. I agree that students need to feel a little pressure to get their piece publish. Even as a adult I need a deadline. If a teacher gives me a future assignment with no deadline I am not going to hardly start the assignment until I am given a deadline. And sometimes I wait until close to the deadline on purpose so I feel the pressure to get it done. So I think giving students a calendar with deadlines will be beneficial in the writing workshop.
On another note, I had the opportunity last week to write while my students wrote. The next day I shared my draft with the class and took their comments. I think they liked hearing what I wrote and knowing the value of writing and YES I even write as a teacher. It was good!
A strong teacher presence in the classroom really helps with class management. I see that in my field placement. Also having materials for students to use is important so students feel they can help themselves and be responsible. My mentor teacher teaches the students a lot about using their resources. Students readily get dictionaries and use the word wall. My classroom is low on space because we are in a "learning cottage" but students all stay at their seats. I like Katie's idea about transitions even happening without the teacher but think that might need to be the teacher's responsibility or even use a timer so a student is not distracted by keeping the time. I liked when Katie said "The best way to manage 'distractions' in the writing workshop is to have plenty of 'attractions' for the students as writers." This is true and will help keep students focused during writing workshop. I had never thought about the creativity that various papers will bring, such as shaped paper and stationary or bordered paper.
One aspect of my own classroom that I am excited to create is a reading/writing corner. I have always wanted to create a comfortable area for students will comfortable pillows and chairs for reading and it can be an option for writing too. I have an idea to make it look like a jungle in the amazon. I also plan to have influences from around the world in my classroom, from trips that I have taken and cultures of my students.
I am definitely one of those teachers who like control and will want to be sure everyone is on task. I really like what Katie says about the environment during writer's workshop and forewarning me that it will feel "out of my control." I liked that she reminded me that it is NOT the behavior that is out of control, but the students' different writing decisions. No teacher wants their classroom behavior to be out of control.
I love the idea of getting students to publish regularly. The type of "workshop" I am seeing drives students to "publish" meaning 'turn in your final draft that has been edited by a teacher' by Friday or you finish during recess. I partially think this method is helping because fewer and fewer students have to finish during recess. The problem with this "workshop" is that the students do not get to write about anything. They get some choice, like who to write about for their special person OR during the "how to" week they chose a topic, but they have to use a certain format. We are trying to teach them how to write paragraphs and use details in each paragraph. The students want to write one sentence per paragraph.
I love what Katie thinks about deadlines and giving them to students. I agree that students need to feel a little pressure to get their piece publish. Even as a adult I need a deadline. If a teacher gives me a future assignment with no deadline I am not going to hardly start the assignment until I am given a deadline. And sometimes I wait until close to the deadline on purpose so I feel the pressure to get it done. So I think giving students a calendar with deadlines will be beneficial in the writing workshop.
On another note, I had the opportunity last week to write while my students wrote. The next day I shared my draft with the class and took their comments. I think they liked hearing what I wrote and knowing the value of writing and YES I even write as a teacher. It was good!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Happy Valentine's DAY!!
As a side note, I have LOVED this Valentine's Day. My husband gave me special surprises all day long and we are about to go have dinner at a new restaurant that HE made reservations at. YAY!!
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