Reflection: Wow, I can't believe this is week 4! We are halfway through the course already and it seems like there is still a lot of work to be done. I thought this class was interesting. I liked the fact that it was a recording we could stop and get up and stretch our legs, use the restroom, or eat and not have to worry about missing class. I did however, miss the interactions between us all. I liked thinking about puppets and drama for older children. I have worked with two year olds for the past 7 years and we use puppets in the classroom but to think of using them with older students as well as drama was a new thought for me.
 I have so many questions. I feel like our assignments should be so simple (not simple as in done in 5 minutes, just simple as in easy to understand) however, I am so lost. When I think I have it, I find out I don't. It is beginning to get frustrating as we get so far and I feel like I am going to have to redo everything I have done this far.
Questions: Can anyone describe the method you used for your unit? I picked a topic and am understanding this is what we are to use for all 10 lessons but when I read the syllabus I see where it is to contain different things. Any advice? Also on the assessments and rubrics that are due (I thought the 29th) are they due Friday or Sunday and are we to do and assessment and rubric for each lesson and is the rubric on the whole lesson?
Any help is appreciated!

Word Wall

 






 I will use word walls in my classroom for learning new words. I will have a designated wall to use as this word wall and I will update the word wall each week. The words added to the word wall will be words we will be using in class. Words will stay up all year for reference. These words will be available for use when doing writing assignments. This will help students when writing papers have access to spelling multiple words. We will go over the words when adding them to the word wall so they know the meaning of the words as well.

Vocabulary Week 2

 
 Thankfully most of these words were familiar to me. There were a few however, the I had to look up again and reread to see what they were.
Chapter 1
"look-say" is the method when children memorize sight words. (I have never heard it called this but I have of course heard of sight words. I remember memorizing these in school myself.
Invented/temporary spelling is when children try to hear the sounds in words in order to match letters with sounds.
Constructionist is another word for constructivist and is when the learner has an active part in the learning process.

Use:
I don't know which grade I will teach yet, however, if they are young enough I will teach them sight words but if they are older then I would hope they already know them.
Invented/temporary spelling I will use when having the students sound out words when writing. I want them to be able to try to sound it out and not count on someone else doing it for them. I think this is an important skill to have.
Constructionist - I hope that all of my students want to have an active part in the learning process. This makes it easier for them to learn.

Chapter 2
I did not have any unfamiliar words here.

Chapter 3
Just one word here
Four Blocks - 1) guided reading, 2) self-selected reading, 3) writer's workshop, 4) working with words.
With four blocks, students become familiar with reading and writing strategies which enable them to become independent when reading and writing.

I will use four blocks in teaching students. I think it is great that students can select their own books and I think it is very important to work with words. I think this helps us in reading and writing.

Questions:
What are your opinions of four blocks? Do you like it better than the daily five? Have any of you heard of sight words being called "look-say" before?

Week 1 Reflection

 

This is how I feel after our first night of class. I am so overwhelmed and am not sure I will remember everything I need to remember. I am a stickler for things staying the same for the most part and electronics are not my strong suit though I am getting better. So when I learned I had to blog for this class I am sure you can imagine how I felt. I must say though, I am not finding this too difficult. Surprisingly! I think I will learn a lot in this class and am sure I will enjoy it. This is my first class of this sort at Columbia College but I will get in the swing of things by the end.

What I learned tonight (besides blogging) was that there are many different resources out there to help teachers. While I knew there were many sources out there it was refreshing to see new sources and with so much information. I am excited to check these websites out further.

I also like the fact that we get to work in groups. It is always better to run ideas through others especially when you are unsure the first time you do something. It was nice to see we have students in class that have had a class with this teacher before.

Takeaways: What I have taken away from this class is the knowledge to try something new, it is not always difficult and can be fun. I learned how to blog after just one night though I will not say I am a pro. I also took away from this class some great new websites in which to find a great wealth of knowledge and help in times when I need it.

2 truths and a lie

I am 20 years old, I love animals, I am married.