Reading Block Reflection #6

We made it! We're almost done! Wow! I can't believe how fast this semester has gone. Of course now, it's crunch time. We're going crazy trying to get everything ready for our portfolio and for our technology class. It feels like there aren't enough hours in the day for all of this stuff. But it's been an awesome semester. I absolutely loved my practicum experience, and I love first grade. It is definitely my ideal grade to teach. Those kids were so sweet and so smart. It amazed me to see how much they learned in the short period of time I was there and even through all of the wretched TCAP prep (but we'll not mention that anymore). I know if I had observed them throughout the whole year, I would REALLY be amazed! Mrs. Melissa said that was one reason why she loved first grade so much. It's a crucial year for students. You go from just learning to read small words to reading whole books and even small chapter books! That would definitely be such a rewarding grade to teach because you really get to see the fruits of your labor by the end of the year. Of course, I would be grateful for any job I was offered, but if I had my choice I would choose first grade! :)

Reading Block Reflection #5

Wow! I am so excited about how my field study is going! I love those kids, and first grade is definitely my calling. Last semester when I had 5th grade, I was very timid and shy and had a hard time gaining authority over the class. The same is definitely NOT true for first grade. I feel right at home in that classroom, and Mrs. Melissa makes everything so exciting and easy. I really look forward to walking in the classroom every day.
I read my first read aloud yesterday, and the students seemed to really enjoy it. They understood making connections between the book and their own lives, which was wonderful. On a much different note, this semester has really opened my eyes to some of the different things outside of the classroom the teachers have to deal with. It's been a very interesting experience. And I've also been very surprised and concerned about some of the situations the students are in at home. I knew I would have to encounter some of these things in my field study and when I have my own classroom, but I never realized it would be like this.
Aside from that, this semester has definitely been such a wonderful experience so far. I love those kids already, and I know that will only increase as time goes on.

Reading Block Reflection #4

Wow! Tomorrow's the big day-our first day of field study for this block. I can't believe it's already here! I must admit, I'm not as excited for this one as I was for last semester. I'm kind of indifferent at this point. Hopefully, that will change once I get there and get to know the students and my mentoring teacher. Since we've been talking about the dreaded "90 minute reading block", I've been really anxious to see what is going to happen in our field study. I'm certainly feeling better about our placements this time around. Going into the school already knowing who I'm placed with is a definite relief. Already knowing what to expect (to a degree) is also calming. Reading lessons and read alouds really have the potential to be fun and exciting for the students. I really hope I can engage my students in our read aloud lessons and get them excited about reading. Maybe I will gain excitement about this semester's field study after tomorrow. Here's hoping!

Literature Blog #3

So, I'm a little overwhelmed at this point in the literature content block. There are so many terms to know, so many theories and strategies to remember and use. I just hope once I get into the classroom, it will all come back to my remembrance. I really never realized there was so much that went into teaching literature. When you were in elementary school, you don't realize what all your teacher had to take into account when he/she chose different activities to go along with different stories or books. I remember doing worksheet after worksheet in some reading classes, and then doing really fun and interesting things in other reading classes, too. One of the coolest things I remember doing was in my freshman English class. We were reading Romeo and Juliet at the time, and our teacher told us to take one scene from the play, form a group, and rewrite it as if it were from a different time and place. My group rewrote it to be in the ghetto. It was so funny, but we were learning all at the same time. We were really having to dissect what the meaning of each line meant. I hope I can incorporate that kind of creativity and and excitement into my classroom while still promoting learning. All of things we are learning are very interesting and have totally given me a different perspective on teaching literature. But on the other hand, it's made me a bit more nervous about it, too. I guess I will become more comfortable with all of this once I get into our practicum so I can see these things implemented in a real classroom.

Literature Block Post #2

I have really been enjoying the literature block so far. Even though it has required a lot more reading than last semester, it's all been very informative and interesting. My favorite part of the semester so far has definitely been the read alouds. I can't wait until I get to start using those in my practicum! They're not just for students. I know as a teacher, I'll enjoy them even more. Our interdisciplinary lesson plans are due this week, and I'm really nervous about having to create that. Even though I enjoy reading, it makes me nervous to think about being responsible for coming up with new and creative ideas to incorporate into things like read alouds. I guess there's no better time to learn and experiment. I hope I can become more confident with teaching in general. The closer I get to student teaching, the more nervous I become about the whole thing. It's not just a particular content area that scares me. It's the fact that I'll be responsible for teaching students all they're supposed to learn in a whole school year. Hopefully, I'll become more confident with each content block.

Literature Blog #1

When I was younger, I really enjoyed reading. I always did well in the school's Accelerated Reading program, and I always thought reading was fun. I not only liked reading to myself but I also enjoyed reading out loud to others. I was even picked to be in the county's education fair for reading out loud 3 or 4 years in a row and won! But somewhere along the way, I lost my enthusiasm for reading. For a long time now, I've only read when I was supposed to. And even then, I would sometimes look for shortcuts to read as little as possible. But I know all of that is going to have to change soon. I hope this reading block will change my outlook on reading and its importance in teaching and learning. I don't want to teach my students to look for shortcuts in reading. I want to be an example for them. I want them to learn that reading can open so many doors for them. Technology is great in its own place, but nothing will ever take the place of reading a good book.

The Excellent 11- In Closing

I agree with Ron that passion is such an important part in teaching. Passion is what gets you out of bed in the morning. Passion is what gets you out the door in the morning. Passion is what keeps you looking and searching for things to better help your students. Without passion, teaching is just a job. But with passion, teaching can be your life's mission work. Like Ron said, changing the world IS possible. I hope I can keep my passion stirred up as I enter into my own classroom.