Self Reflection

   Today we had to turn in our midterm self-reflection, which was not an easy task. It took quite a while for me to write because assessing myself was something I don’t do every day. It really helped me understand where I need to improve in this class. I have learned a lot since day one and it has been a great experience. From learning the different approaches and aspects of reading, it has given me a better understanding of what students need to become proficient readers. I want to be able to teach reading to students in way they can understand the material, and also make it fun at the same time. We’re half way through the semester and it feels like everything is happening so fast. I’m excited to learn more on the different approaches and tools used for reading and I can’t wait for all the great ideas! Hope everyone has a great Easter break!

Reflecting

   Today's assignment was to produce a midterm reflection of ourselves in this course based on the guidelines Dr. Rivera has provided us. Before writing my reflection I thought it was going to be an "easy squeezy" assignment to do...boy, was I wrong! I found it quite difficult to self reflect, only because I do not do every so often. After 10 minutes of staring at my computer screen I started, then it became easier and easier as I went. Once I completed my reflection, I felt so refreshed seeing my thought and feelings in text rather than just cooped up inside my noggin. I am really glad that we were able to do an assignment like this.

My Midterm Reflection

     Looking back on the first day of reading methods, I remember I was scared and nervous. The course requirements were overwhelming for me and I thought to myself, “How am I going to keep up with all these assignments?” But as the days went by, I was able to keep up with all the requirements for class, such as attendance, participation, and assignments.
      This course has made me grow into a better student and person; because I am able to take the knowledge (i.e. basic theories and different approaches in teaching reading to children) that I have learned and apply it one day in my classroom. I will continue to do my best to keep up with all of the assignments, participation, and attendance. I look forward to what the rest of the semester has to offer and cannot wait to learn more about teaching reading to children.

Wow it felt like yesterday...

   I don't believe we are already writing our mid-term papers. Time goes by so fast and I can not imagine how much quicker the end of the semester will come after I turn in this blog. I am happy about all the new things we have been learning and excited for more to come. But as I mentioned in my reflection there are some things I still need to work on before the end of the semester. I am happy I was able to think about how it has been so far. Sometimes you don't stop and think when you are so busy going.
   This class has been a great experience but I do hope everyone else is having a great time too. Besides practicum I feel very confident in our class and how much we will all miss it when we are done. I am ready to finish my practicum but it still take some time. Great work everyone keep it up!

Midterm Self Reflection

Hello everyone! As you are all aware, our mid-term self reflection is due today. For me, it is much more difficult to reflect on oneself than on other topics. It took me quite a long time to complete my reflection because I really wanted to focus on aspects of myself that I thought helped me throughout the course. I also talked about what I have learned so far and what I liked best about the course. Reflection is important for teachers because it allows us to step back and assess our own attitudes, behavior, actions, and feelings. Doing this will help us realize what is not working, what is successful, and how we can improve. I am thankful that we have the opportunity to reflect on our performance in this course. For sure, it will help us complete the semester with satisfaction and pride. Have a great Spring Break everyone!

Self Reflection

Hello everyone,

          Before I begin, let me forewarn you that I'm in a pondering mood right now. With that said let me begin by reflecting on the midterm. As all of you know, it was not your typical question and answer exam, but instead a reflection.

          I sincerely appreciated this reflection. I really needed to sit down, and think about this. Believe me when I say I did, because I really did. First thing that popped into my head, was wow its already mid semester. It feels like it came out of nowhere. As I was thinking about my professional attitude, disposition, behavior, commitment, and enthusiasm in my attendance, submission of work, competency and willingness. The one thing that really resonates with me was the question on competency. I think I got so deep into the reflection that I was not only thinking about my competency in the course, I was thinking about my competency in education, generally, whether it be the role as a student or as a teacher. Here's what I think. I AM NOT COMPETENT AND I WILL NEVER BE COMPETENT. And I don't say this in negative way. Personally, I think that there is always room for improvement. For this blog's sake I even looked up the definition of competent.

snapshot from my screen

          So yes I am capable, I can do what is asked of me in the class and as a student and teacher, but successfully...I'm not so sure. Let me rephrase that, I'm doing enough to get by, but I can be doing better. It doesn't matter if my work looks pretty, or if every standard is met or surpassed. When I think of success...I think to the best of my ability. And that's where the flaw lies. I don't think we ever reach that point, because it goes back to there's always room for improvement. It's like an never ending circle.  I hope I'm making sense to you all, because its clicking in my head. Now the only question on my mind is how can we be doing something successfully, if we never reach our full potential?

Awesome Presentations

      The teaching tools that were presented today in class were very creative. Amanda's teaching aid, which was a reader's block was very interesting. It was made up of foam and had questions on each side of the block. Her teaching aid is very creative, because the students can answer and make their questions on the block. Kelsey had two teaching aids that I really enjoyed. Her first teaching aid was a decoding tool for word families. I liked how she used paint strips from Home Depot, because that was a clever idea. Kelsey's second teaching tool was a tracking device and I thought that was a creative tool. It was made up of highlighter tape and I thought that was a clever idea. The tracking device can be use for students to track their reading and do not need to use their finger. Evin's teaching tool, which was a bingo game is a good activity for students. Incorporating bingo is a good activity that can engage students in learning vocabulary words. After seeing everyone's teaching aid, I look forward in using them as reference in the near future. 

      After our teaching aid presentations, Rachel reflected on her micro-teaching and did a little activity in class. She briefly explained that she taught her class figurative language: simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. I liked how she made us do a little activity using figurative language. Even though Rachel presented a little part of a lesson, she did an excellent job. 

More teaching aids

   Today's class was really fun. We finished up with the rest of the presentations for the teaching aids. Amanda's readers cube game was very interesting. It's a great way for the students to get involved with stories and for them to answer questions after. Kelsey's word family flash card tool was very cool. It can help students with vocabulary terms and to expand their knowledge on the different types of words that can be used. I also enjoyed her reading tracker. This tool can help guide students while they're reading and help keep them on track. I also presented my vocabulary bingo game. It's a great way for students to review their vocabulary words and to also help with comprehension. Sorry girls, I was nervous for some reason, but don't worry I'll get the hang of it!:). Angela's puzzle board was awesome. This can help students understand how prefixes and suffixes work, and I think students would really have fun because they're able to move the puzzle pieces around and the board is life size, so it makes it easier for them. We also had Rachel do her microteaching today. I really enjoyed her her activity with figurative language. I can see how students would enjoy the activity and see how they were able to understand the different types of figurative language. Today's class was full of great ideas and I will definitely save all these lessons for future reference.

Oh and thank you Kelsey for letting me use your laptop!:)

Teaching Aids/Microteaching

   In today's session we continued our presentations of teaching aids. Amanda was first with her Reader's Block. There are multiple questions on the block that would assess students' understanding to a story or book that has been read. I presented next with my Text Tracker and Word Family Cards. With the Word Family Cards, students can decode and practice reading different words with the same suffixes. The cards that I have created, touch based on the 3 types of prefixes: consonants, blends, and digraphs. The Text Tracker is a simple tool that can help students track their words, opposed to tracking with their finger. Evin had a cool bingo game that helped students with remembering vocabulary. The teacher would say out the definition and they would mark the term on their bingo card with a marker until they get "BINGO!" Angela presented her prefix-suffix puzzle. I love how huge and colorful it is and how versatile it can be; not only using it for reading, but for other subjects as well.
   Rachel micro-taught her lesson she had used for her reading practicum she delivered yesterday. The lesson focused on figurative language: similes, metaphors, personification, and hyperbole. She explained the way she delivered the lesson and gave us a quick review on the types of figurative language. We then played a game where she would say a sentence and we had to determine what type of figurative language it was. She gave us cards that had all four terms written on it and we have to raise the card that best represents the sentence.
   I really enjoyed today class session with all the new teaching aid ideas that was presented. I also enjoyed listening to Rachel's lesson and her experience during her practicum.

Rachel's Microteaching Lesson

Today, I observed Rachel present her practicum lesson to us on Figuritive Language. I really liked her whole lesson from the introduction to the ending activity they did. I enjoyed the mini activity that we did in class as well. In this activity we were in two groups and we were given figuritive language cards such as simile, metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. Rachel, our teacher, would give us a sentence and as a group we would choose the figuritive language being used. Then the teacher would ask us what word we picked up and explain why we chose the it. I also liked how her lesson was on something that her students didnt know about and it felt self rewarding on her part. Great job Rachel!

More teaching aids and micro teaching!

Wow! I absolutely loved everyone's teaching aids! Amanda's "Reader's Block" is such a versatile tool. Since it can be modified for different purposes and subject areas, it is something that can be used over and over. I also thought Kelsey's use of paint strips to reinforce vocabulary was such a great idea! I LOVED her text tracker. I want to use that for my younger students. Evin's Bingo game and Angela's puzzle were both good activities to have my students do. I had the opportunity to share my practicum experience with my classmates. I did a short activity with them that I did with my students. I really enjoyed teaching my lesson so it was wonderful being able to share my enthusiasm. I will share my lesson materials with all of you so that you can use them in the future.

Learning is ON GOING!!

    Today we went over the rest of the teaching aids and there were more great ideas that were shared. I loved Kelsey, Angela, Amanda, and Evin's ideas. The reading block is such a universal tool and I am happy Amanda was able to share it. The text tracker and the family cards are also a great way to assist the children we will be working with. I love BINGO so I would really keep Evin's game in mind when introducing new words in my classroom. I love the puzzle of suffix and prefix and how we can change up the ideas when making the tool.
   Rachel shared her microteaching game she in her 5th grade class. It was very interesting and fun. I am excited to try it out in my classroom. I am sure the students had a blast. Great job!

Amazing Teaching Aids!

Rachel Shines in Microteaching!

Teaching Aid

Today in class we finished up presenting our teaching aids. Kelsey, Evin, Angela and I presented. Kelsey presented a tool to help teach students word families and tracker. The tracker is great tool for students to use while read. She created them using paint chips. Evin's aid was vocabulary bingo. I think the vocabulary bingo is great way to review before a spelling test. Angela presented a prefix and suffix board. This tool is great way to have students apply what they learned. I presented a reader's block, which can be used to assess whether the children comprehended what they read.

Lastly, Rachel presented her micro teaching lesson. I really enjoyed her lesson, I loved it so much I would like a copy :) Thanks Rachel! I love how you built up on what they already knew, and at the end  your culminating activity was something they enjoyed. I can't stress how much I loved this lesson. It's genius!!

Good luck with your practicums everyone!

Mini-lesson Experience & Teaching Aid

Sorry for the really late post; I thought I pressed the publish button before I left class.
     I had fun today in class, because it was full of exciting presentations. In the beginning of class, Rhea and I did our little performance from a play we did in a previous semester. Reenacting the scene from our play has taught me that dramatic play is one of the important aspects in teaching children to read. Dramatic play allows children to discover the need to read when they have to recognize words to play the situation (i.e. reading a skit).
     After our performance, Amanda did a read-aloud on a book called Chika Chika Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambalt. Amanda did an amazing job in reading several pages of the book. It was awesome how she had expressions while reading the book, because it engaged us in the story.
     When Amanda was done with her read-aloud, we got into groups and continued our mini-lessons. My group consisted of Kelsey and Amanda. I enjoyed Amanda's mini-lesson, because she made it fun and engaged us throughout the lesson. I liked how she transitioned the two stories that she read to us to introducing adjectives. I thought that was a good idea to introduce students to adjectives, because adjectives play an important part of a story. I also liked how she explained to us that without adjectives, the story would be plain and boring and we will not be able to imagine a picture in our mind. The ending of Amanda’s mini-lesson was a good technique in teaching students how to use adjectives in a sentence. She wrote several adjective words on the board and Kelsey and I had to make up a sentence using those words. Overall, I think Amanda did an excellent job on her mini-lesson.
     After Amanda’s mini-lesson, it was my turn. I was nervous at first, because I thought my lesson was going to be too short or too long. But when I was done and heard positive feedback from Amanda and Kelsey about my mini-lesson, I felt a little better. It was fun doing my mini-lesson on teaching vocabulary, because as a future educator it is important that I know several strategies to teach and engage my students in learning vocabulary words.
     Once everyone was done presenting their mini-lesson Rachel, Rhea, and Jessilyn presented their teaching aid. I liked how Rachel created different types of bookmark buddies for her teaching aid. It was a clever idea, because students can actually write on the bookmark if they need help in a certain area or write notes (i.e. a story’s setting, plot, characters, etc.). Rhea’s teaching aid was very creative and cost-efficient. She made an ABC wipe-out book with a binder, sheet protectors, and worksheets.  Jessilyn’s teaching aid was called “fiddle sticks” and I thought that was a good idea to teach children sight words. All three ladies did an amazing job with their teaching aid. Their teaching aid was very creative and cost-efficient.

Innovative Teaching Aids!



More Mini-Lessons!

 

Special Presentations!

Minilesson/teaching aid

   Today's class was really fun. We finished up our mini lessons and presented some of the teaching aids. For the mini lesson, Rhea read a book called "From head to toe", which was about the different movements you can do with your body. We then named all the body parts that were mentioned in the story. After writing all the parts on the board, Rhea gave us each four pictures to match with the words on the board. She then passed out a worksheet where we had to write and draw what we can do with our body parts.  I thought Rhea’s mini lesson was very effective and her activities were something that I think students will really enjoy. Next was Jessilyn’s mini lesson and her focus was on adjectives. She started off by asking us if we knew what an adjective is, then we did examples on the board. Then she gave us each a bag with an item inside and without looking inside, we had to use all our senses and write down three adjectives to describe the item.  After we wrote three adjectives, we had to create a sentence using one of the adjectives that we wrote down and from there, we each had to guess what our items were. I liked how her activity involved the use of all your senses, which made learning about adjectives even more fun.

   I thought all the teaching aids were very cool, simple, and very effective. Rachel’s bookmark buddy was awesome. Students can use it for so many things and I can definitely see myself using this with my future students one day. Rheas write and wipe board was something I have never heard of and it just seems very cool to use in the classroom and to really engage the students. Jessilyn’s fiddle stick game was really interesting as well. It reinforces the students reading and vocabulary skills and I would like to use this teaching aid with my students someday.

   Today’s class gave me a lot of ideas and it really opened my eyes to all the different lessons and the different ways you can teach those lessons. I thought everyone did a great job and hopefully you’ll enjoy my teaching aid next Thursday!

Mini Lesson/ Teaching Aid

Today, I was very nervous because I presented my Mini Lesson and Teaching Aid. My mini lesson was on Adjectives and my teaching aid was Fiddle Sticks.

We started with our mini lesson, Rhea went first and she taught us about our body parts. She first read us a story and at the end of the story she asked us what body parts did we see the character using in the story. She then wrote them up on the board and had us repeat each word after her. We then played a matching game, which we were given pictures of different body parts and we had to match it to the word on the board. Lastly, we were given an assignment where we had to write a sentence using one of the words on the board and we had to draw a picture about our sentence.

I presented my mini lesson next. I started out by asking what was the item that I as holding up and then asked them to describe it. I wrote the words that they mentioned on the board using a t-chart. I used the words "What" and "Describe" for the top of the t-chart. After we were done writing the two items that I brought in and the description of it. I then told the class that the word "What" is also the "Noun" and the word "Describe" is also the "Adjective". For my activity, I had them play a "What am I" game. I had 3 bags with something in it and I had the write down at least 3 adjectives that describe the item in there bag but they could not look into it. They could smell and touch it but they could not look into it. After, they said there words aloud and had the class guess what their object were. I ended it with having them use one of there adjectives in a sentence to describe there object in there bag.

After the mini lesson we presented our Teaching Aids. Rachel's teaching aid was a Bookmark Buddy and Compound Creation Cards. I really liked her teaching aids because they are great teaching tools for reading and I would definitely use them in my future classroom. Rhea teahing aid was a Write and Wipe binder. I really liked this as well because it can be reused over and over again. I presented my teaching aid last. My teaching aid is called Fiddle Stickes. Fiddle sticks is a game that could be used for reading vocabulary words, adjectives, compound words, etc.

Overall, today was a very educating day for me. I learned many ideas on how to better my teaching and materials used in the classroom.

Mini Lessons/Teaching Aids

Today''s class session started off with Angela and Rhea performing Act II of their play, which included them dancing and rapping. It was very fun and entertaining to watch! We then finished the remaking mini lessons.
In my group, Amanda had a lesson that involved two short passages, both describing autumn, but with different words and descriptions. The purpose of her lesson was to stress how important adjectives are in literature and in everyday life, it is what we use to describe and imagine things. Angela's lesson was really fun! She had us describe the pictures she had provided, leading us to the actual vocabulary word. We then created a vocabulary foldable, which I think is a wonderful activity to use in the classroom.
There were three teaching aid presentations today. Rachel was first with her bookmark buddy, that can be used by students in various ways, such as listing unfamiliar words and also to be used as a reading log. Rhea's aid was a write and wipe ABC book. that is used for student to practice writing the alphabet, words, and can also be used as a drawing board. It is a great alternative to a white board! Jessilyn had an aid she called Fiddle Sticks. It is a bag of popsicle sticks that she wrote site words on. Students will pick out a stick and say the word. This is done until one student picks out a stick with a marking that means to put all the sticks back I to the bag and start again.
I really enjoyed the mini lessons and teaching aids today. There are a lot of ideas and activities that I would love to use personally and cannot wait to try!

Learning is FUN!!

   In today's class we went a bunch of great ideas. Before class started Angela and I did our skit which was fun but scary at the same time. But I am happy I did it because I do love my rap. After I had a chance to do my mini lesson on From Head to Toe by Eric Carle. I really enjoyed reading the story to my group and loved the interaction. After everyone who signed up to do their teacher aid presented their great ideas. Rachel showed us two awesome tools. The book mark buddy and the compound words deck of cards. I thought the book mark was a great school to home connection tool. It was simple and creative. The deck of cards can be used in so many ways and depending on your age of students you can decide how many to give your students. I introduced my write and wipe ABC book. I really enjoyed coming up with the idea and like how I can change the pages whenever I change lessons. Jesselyn showed us her fiddle sticks, which is also something great to use in a class. We can change it according to grade level and add or lessen sticks since the marker helps keep the game going.

   Today was full of fun. I really love how time flies when we are learning and doing what we love at the same time. I was able to get some great ideas and enjoy my classmates thoughts. I loved all the things that were shared to day. But the BROWN BAGS idea is just fun and mysterious at the same time. Now I have ideas all over the place. Great job everyone.

A Very Productive Day

Today in class we accomplished a lot. We had the play, read aloud, mini lessons, and teaching aids. I love how we had so much going on today. I really enjoyed the play. Rhea and Angela did a terrific job. It was great way to start out the class (with some laughs and smiles). I liked doing to read aloud, most especially because Chicka Chicka Boom Boom is one all my all time favorite childhood books. Angela's mini lesson was so helpful. I definitely plan on adapting the vocabulary foldable in my class. The way she introduced the vocabulary was very fresh. She used pictures and asked students to describe it. Last but not least the teaching aid presentations. Rachel, Rhea and Jessilyn all had great teaching aids. I loved the bookmark buddies, because its so versatile, and it spans through all grade levels. Rhea's wipe binder was original. I had a moment of "OMG how neat is that!" It's so cost efficient I absolutely love it! Jessilyn's fiddle sticks were very catchy and child friendly. I can hear children saying oh fiddle sticks. Its definitely an aid that students will enjoy. What I love about the fiddle sticks is that you can integrate with any content being taught in the class.

Great job everyone! I love all your ideas. I wish we could create our own Teacher Resource book, so I'll be able to remember everyone's ideas.

Lessons and Teaching Aids

What a fun class session! First, we had the chance to see Rhea and Angela act out a scene of their play. Good job ladies! Then, Amanda did a short read aloud of Chicka Chicka Boom Boom. She kept us engaged and interested....awesome! The mini lessons were then presented. I thought both Rhea and Jessilyn had such wonderful ideas and strategies. The picture matching was great for the age level of her lesson and Jessilyn made her lesson fun by using concrete items. We also shared our teaching aids to the class. I am glad everyone liked my "Bookmark Buddy." Rhea's write and wipe binder is such an excellent idea. I definitely plan to use that in my class. I like Jessilyn's fiddle sticks. It is a fun way to get students focused and interested in vocabulary and word recognition. I look forward to next week's class, when more teaching aids will be presented! I will email all of you my teaching aid templates and descriptions so that you can add to your resource collection.

Mini-Lesson Experience

      Today’s presentation of mini-lessons in class was a fun and exciting way of learning how to teach vocabulary. Our class was divided into two groups for the mini-lesson. My group consisted of Rachel, Jen, and Jessilyn. Rachel and Jen were the first presenters and they did an excellent job in implementing their lesson.  Rachel and Jen had activities that I thought were very creative and made learning fun. 

     I liked how they introduce vocabulary words on the board before reading the story, because in a student’s perspective it is important to let them know what new words to expect in the book. I liked how Rachel engaged us with questions after the story (i.e., she asked if we notice any of the words in board that were mentioned in the story). I also liked the activity that Rachel used to end her mini-lesson, which she gave us an index card with a word and we had to draw it. The activity was a great way to use our artistic skills. Rachel’s mini-lesson is a great and fun way to teach students new vocabulary.

     Just like Rachel’s mini-lesson, Jen’s mini-lesson was fun and creative. I liked how she incorporated different activities that engaged us in learning the vocabulary words. One of the activities that I found creative was the lollipops she made. The lollipops she made had the word and definition on it and I thought that was a great way to engage us in learning vocabulary. I also liked how she incorporated a story using the vocabulary words on the board. The last activity that Jen did in her mini lesson was fun, because we had to make up a silly sentence using the words on the board and draw it. 

     Rachel and Jen did an amazing job with their mini-lessons. I had fun and learned several approaches to teaching vocabulary by their mini-lessons. They are a great way to teach children vocabulary. Good job Rachel and Jen!